Edisto Beach 2016

What a fun-filled few days we had at Edisto this year!  Although things started off pretty scary, by day two we were well on our way to a nice trip.  This year we arrived at the beginning of the week since Dave had to fly out Thursday morning for work . . which meant we left straight from church on Sunday just in time to hit a huge storm for the last hour of the drive (on all the two lane country roads).  Yikes!  If that wasn't scary enough when we finally arrived, unpacked and had dinner we left for a bike ride where Savannah was injured.  I have to say next to the time we called 911 when she wasn't breathing, this was the scariest moment of my life.

Long story short, she was on a bike that she wasn't familiar with and we were all so excited that the rain stopped long enough for a quick bike ride our tutorial on using said bike was too short.  There is one part of our regular route that is completely blocked by a road barrier arm (activated by car passes) and Savannah panicked and rode right through it.  We all heard a loud crash and I didn't know what to expect when I rounded the corner.  Thankfully the Lord spared us major injuries as the blockade was flexible enough to rise after hitting her cheek and then her helmet. She is still pretty bruised on her leg, cheek, arm and back, but overall she was just really scared. I walked with her back to the condo to ice her up while the others continued to the beach.

Day two was much less eventful as the kids played for hours on the beach.  We went for a super long walk to shell island where the kiddos enjoyed floating in the canal area and looking for special shells. After dinner we also ventured on another long bike ride to try to see the sun set, but it was too cloudy.  It was still an adventure talking to the locals about fishing for sharks!

Tuesday we tried to play Bingo but it was sold out before we arrived, which led to another family game night.  Yes, we played LOTS of games each and every day!

Preston got a new boogie board and these two spent most of their beach time in the water!

We enjoyed onemore more day of fun in the sun before heading home Wednesday after lunch.  The kids were fast asleep before we had been in the car 30 minutes.  We are so grateful for Grammy and Papa who made this trip possible and treated us to a fabulous few days at Edisto.  I pray that our kids hold these memories close for years and years to come!

Volleyball in the water with a noddle net

Fun on the Fourth

This holiday was a bit different than most because our family was split up for most of the day.  Dave has been wanting to run the Peachtree road race forever and finally the holiday fell at just the right time so he could do it . . only he was injured. :(  He decided to give it a go anyway and headed to Atlanta Sunday morning with the kids.  I had already committed to a race here in Charlotte so I stayed behind to run here and honestly get some serious to-do list action done! By 9am I had run, showered and was ready to tackle my list.

Meanwhile back in Atlanta, these kids were having a blast!  Sunday was spent exploring the nature center and swimming at Grammy & Papa's neighborhood pool.

Today was the big race day for these two guys.  Apparently the race was hot and crowded, but they still had a good run.   

Ready to head home

Dave's trip home with the kids was uneventful, thankfully!  Once they got home we had a quick dinner and headed out to see fireworks . . or what we thought were going to be fireworks.   After the long weekend no one was in the mood to drive to Carowinds and wait for 10pm fireworks, so we tried to view local in Waxhaw.  Only when we arrived there was NO ONE in our normal spot.  We pulled out our phones only to find that the fireworks were last night.  Oops!  We drove around for awhile searching for some good ones close by but finally decided to just go home and watch them on TV.  We did let the kids burn up the sparklers on the deck before retiring to bed.

Happy 4th!

Hours at the Pool & A Green Band Swimmer!

Preston's cheering section

Friday was the first REAL day of a summer *schedule* in our house.  After finishing school, travelling to Disney, partying, swim lessons every day, and a week of VBS it was SO nice to not have anywhere we had to be at a certain time.  It just so happened that some of our favorite friends were also on "summer schedule" and were available for the pool as well!

When we first arrived Preston tried right away to get his green band.  He stopped just short of the required distance, but with some encouragement from the lifeguard and his friends that came shortly afterwards, he was ready to try again at the next pool break. This kid did awesome!!!  He was so proud to pass the green band test and wore his new necklace with pride as he hung with the big kids.

Preston's first trip down the waterslide

After a quick lunch break they went right back to swimming.  Before we knew it the kids had been playing in the water for 4 hours and it was time to go home!

Lifelong friends!!

Then, on Saturday Dave had to work so the kids were searching for more friends to play with. We decided to split up for some morning fun.  Preston went to Ben's house and I took Savannah and Anna Kate to the pool.

These girls had a blast playing without their brothers!

After another 3 hours of swimming it was again time to call it a morning and head home for showers (and errands).  Now that we are a green band household I see many more days/hours spent at the pool this summer.  I feel like I've finally arrived being able to observe from a distant pool chair while the kids play.  However, I do occasionally get dragged into the pool . .  . I'm trying to cherish the fact that they still want me to play in the pool with them because I know those days are numbered.

Spectacular Sunday with Cousins

Buddy greeting Preston

We have missed seeing Great Grandma and Uncle Denny's crew for so long!  After a few texts to plan a visit to Charlotte, we ended up having an all afternoon reunion of sorts at Ms. Kay's house outside of Salisbury!  She was so gracious to have a huge spread of food and open her home for all 6 crazy kids and 7 (semi-crazy) adults too.

 

I think one of the highlights for my kiddos was being able to spend lots of quality time with their cousins that they haven't seen in forever!

Silly girls

Kay had gifts for all of the kids, not just those with birthdays!

The entire crew with Great Grandma!

 After filling our bellies (too full) and opening gifts, it was time to hit the pool!  I think the kids (and Mark) spent well over 3 hours playing in the water. It was fabulous sitting in the shade with the fan blowing just listening to the laughter and seeing the fun the kids were having.

The kids loved this huge raft

What a wonderful, laid-back day!  I'm so grateful for Kay and Mark who hosted, for Vicki who brought Great Grandma and that we were all able to find a day to see each other . . . these memories will last forever. 

Silly Uncle Mark diving with Preston

Billy Graham Library

Dave's parents were able to come up Friday afternoon for the birthday party and decided to visit the Billy Graham library this morning.  We had never done the complete tour so we all joined them after Savannah finished running club this morning.  It was very informative and absolutely fascinating to see just what a huge impact Billy Graham has had on so many people across the world.  After the tour it was lunch time so Grammy & Papa treated us to lunch in the cafe there. What a fun way to spend the morning!

Party at the Park!!

Somehow the kids talked me into planning a birthday party again this year.  Even though we discussed how DISNEY was our party and that instead of a big party we could have a few friends over for a movie or something fun, as the time drew closer they became more and more sad that they weren't going to get to have a birthday party.  Long story short, we finally agreed that we could have a combined low key party at a local park.  The only problem was that because we waited so late to plan it, the times available were few and far between.  Thankfully, we found an open Friday afternoon and quickly sent out evites to see if anyone would be able to come.

 We were thrilled that lots of friends were able to join us and as you can see they had quite a fun time!  Savannah organized some games with water balloons and we brought squirt guns too.  So, there was plenty of water fun to be had by all.

 At 6pm we all stopped for pizza, watermelon and cookie cake!

The boy table

The girl table

Happy Birthday Savannah

Happy Birthday Preston

Then it was time to hit the playground before parents came to pick everyone up.  I think it might have been the easiest party I've ever planned, and the kids might say it was one of the best too!  And just like that, we are finally finished with our June celebrations.  Whew!

It's Official, Preston is SEVEN!

In light of all that has been going on with just getting back from Disney and multiple celebrations, this little guy has been very patient in waiting for HIS day! I absolutely cannot believe that he turned 7 today.  Of course the first thing he wanted to do was open a present . . .

And somehow I got talked into carrying on the tradition of going to Chuck E Cheese while daddy is at work . . . 

We continued celebrating with dinner out at Chick fil A!

And of course there was a birthday dessert of Preston's choice (thank you Chick-fil-A AND Barnes & Noble!)

This little guy is one special dude. He goes non stop from sun up to sun down . . .rarely slowing even to eat.  He loves his sister more than anything (possibly anyone) and is big into playing games and lots of sports outside.  Preston is still very generous and has a tender heart.  He makes friends easily and remains a people pleaser to the core.  There is rarely a day that goes by when he doesn't make us laugh . . . AND cry out of frustration trying to get him to eat his vegetables. ;)

Preston we are so very thankful for you and the joy you add to our home. I can't wait to see what God has planned for you and how you continue to bloom in first grade!  

Happy Happy Birthday Peanut!!!