Hilton Head 08

Saturday, June 30

Today my baby turns 14 months! Unbelievable really how fast it goes. Today, we also head to Hilton Head on family vacation! One week, just our family, no schedule to follow, no last minute trips to the office, and no house hold chores to be done! Ah, now this is going to be the best week in a long time! We start the day bright and early, 5:50 A.M. Two boys are ready for breakfast and they need it now! I pull the blankets over my head as Dustin gets out of bed to start the day. As I am laying there trying to go back to sleep and hear the boys already arguing, I think is this really the start of vacation? Well as it turns out, I did fall back to sleep until 7:15, YES! I think as I jump into the shower and excited to get on the road. After getting dressed I walk out to the boys all over the place, still in their PJ’s, Ava just starting to stir, and well nothing packed! I just look at Dustin and he can see “the look”. What? He says so sweetly. What time are we leaving again?, I ask. Needless to say we did not start off on the right foot, on the road at 9:30 with tired cranky boys, and a little frustrated mama. The trip went great; the kids are such easy travelers. We made it in pretty good time. In time to swim for a bit, empty every box of games and trains in the house, and even a quick dip in the ocean. The first day was a success!


Sunday, June 31

Ok so I thought Saturday started early! Ty and Bryce were up at 5:15A.M. What in the world is going on?! Being the great parents that we are, (no judgment here please), Dustin sets all boys on the couches with towels, (they we cold) and turned on cartoons! We settled back in for another 45 minutes of sleep before we could get up and make breakfast. Once Miss Ava got up, we were all ready for our first family bike ride! It was great! Dylan and I definite brought up the rear while Ty lead us with fierce speed. We scrambled back to swim while Ava attempted a morning nap. Once we realized she was boycotting this morning, we took a trip to the beach. It was so fun watching Dustin help the boys “surf” the waves, while I walked with Ava as she perfected walking on the sand with her arms straight up over her head. She finally ventured off to the ocean; she LOVED the water and screamed every time a wave came crashing into her little tummy. With the early wake up this morning, we were thrilled hen everyone took a two hour nap! After having spaghetti for dinner, we went to Harbor town to play on the play ground, check out the boats, and catch some live music. Dustin and the boys discovered the tire swing and they occupied the thing for at least 15 minutes. I walk over to see if they are almost finished as Ava was over wiping sand from her hands every 2 seconds. I take one look at Dylan and instantly know there is going to be trouble. Sure enough, he starts to cry that his tummy hurts. I look at Dustin and we decide to just walk around for a bit and let Dylan get some fresh air. Dustin ends up carrying him as I am carrying Ava. (We received the same looks we did last year) We finally make it to the car and Dylan is struggling. We are about 8 minutes from our house; surely we can make it home and get Dylan to bed before he spills his spaghetti. After one false alarm, we get back on the road. 2 minutes to go and Dustin suggest that I just take him from his car seat and hold him on my lap so I can let his head be out the window. (Again no judgment). So I pull the little guy onto my lap and kiss his sweet head, just as he throws up ALL OVER ME! I was like you have to be kidding me! Dustin of course is laughing, Dylan crying, I am dry heaving, and the boys can’t believe what just happened. We make it home, jump in the shower, and head to bed. I go to say good night to Dylan and he says,” I sorry I got sickies on you Mommy.” Oh what a sweetie.

Monday, Sept 1

This is only day 3 and I am already starting to confuse what day it is. Labor Day. I am embarrassed to say that I am not sure what this holiday really is. Sorry if that is offensive to some of you. I don’t think about it for too long, but wonder if it us un-American to not know. My day seemed fairly “labor free” today. Dustin and the 2 big boys went fishing with Captain Bill while Dylan, Ava, and I took a bike ride to the park, played with trains, and went swimming. It was very relaxing having only 2 little ones all morning long. On our walk, Dylan riding his bike, me pushing Ava in the stroller, a lady rides by and says, “My you have your hands full!” I just laughed at loud as I thought this is EASY! This is only half of them. Dylan enjoyed his Mommy time as Ava napped for 2 ½ hours, but was excited to see his brothers and tell them all about his morning. The 2 little ones napped as Daddy and Ty played battle ship, and Bryce and I took a bike ride. After a quick swim at the pool we went to the beach to find a swimming advisory due to Gustav. The wind was unbelievably strong, but the boys insisted on building a sand castle as I chased Ava chasing the birds.
This vacation has been so relaxing! I never thought I would say that with 4 children ages 1-6. But God has really blessed this time thus far with lots of down time, pleasant children, and perfect weather! I mean I have finished a novel and started a second! Dustin and I have had great conversations and time to just enjoy each others presence without one or both of us jumping up to get the phone, do laundry, or head out to a meeting. I am thankful for the sweet family the Lord has blessed me with. I sometimes lose sight of that during the business of life. I am thankful for a time like this to see just how blessed I really am.

Favorites: Bryce “we need to pray for those people in the big water storm in those states guys.”

Bryce: “Why do you think God made hurricanes? Do you think He made them because people are bad with sin?”

Ty: “I love Jesus because He lives in our hearts and He is like the biggest Christian ever.”

Dylan: “It is my birthday soon right Mom? It is my birthday and I will be three, mine, NOT Tyler Brycie right Mommy?!”



Tuesday, Sept 2

I am amazed at God’s great blessings in my life. Here I am at the beach, with my nearly perfect husband, precious children, good health, and Jesus who loves ME! I LOVE my life. Really I do. I am blessed to be a stay at home mom and get to see my children daily learn new things, talk about their love for Jesus, and love each other. Ok ok, yes, there are days where I want to pull my hair out, where the boys fight non stop, and where I feel alone, but MOST days, I have nothing to complain about. Thank you Father for the way you love me!
So today we took another family bike ride. We really are “that family” on the bike path. ALL OVER the place. Bryce fell into a lady and as he was getting back up he says,” I am sorry, I am just practicing.” To which she says, “That’s ok, I am practicing too!” It was so great! We don’t ever want to leave this place!


Wednesday, Sept 3

Tropical storm Hanna is on her way to the East Coast and that means rain, rain, rain! NO FUN! We are hoping to be able to stay at least till Thursday…please hold the rain! We are going to make the best of this day…..
We went to the beach this afternoon, it was way too windy! So we took a bike trip to our favorite ice cream store! Superman ice cream is the BEST!! After naps we tried to get the oh so famous family beach picture. Well, for the 3rd year in a row, we were unsuccessful! Little Miss Ava had other things in mind, and taking a picture was NOT one of them. We got some really cute ones of the boys, but not so much of the family! Oh well…..
Oh by the way, Hanna is no here, so we will head back to Charlotte tomorrow evening, thank you Jesus! Oh and I beat Dustin in Yazee and battleship tonight!

Thursday, Sept 4

What a treat, another beautiful day!! We pack up the car and head off to our dear friends the Kendricks. We had a tasty lunch and then of to ride 4 wheelers in the woods. Yes, I did scream like a girl, especially when I was fish tailing in the mud! The boys got to fish once again while the girls stayed inside to cool off. The trip home was INSANE!! The boys were so over being in the car and had read all 500 books they piled into the car before we left. It was a very loud last 45 minutes, but we made it! Everyone was very excited to be back home and in their own beds!