Family Vacation: Heading To Columbia

On Wednesday afternoon, we headed to Columbia to Uncle Adam and Aunt Adrienne's house. We couldn't wait to see them!!

 

Uncle Adam was already home from work when we got there around 3 pm.

The puppies needed a bath so Charlotte was ready to jump in and help give them a bath.

After we hung out for a bit, we headed over to see Grandpa and Grandma Jackson for a bit. As they always do, they had presents for the babes. They got them each a new outfit and each a new swimming suit. The kids were so excited. Alex and the kids hung out with Grandpa and Grandma while I ran to Publix (my FAVORITE grocery store) to get food for the week. We got some treasures to have at Adam and Adrienne's and treasures to take to the beach. After I spent way too much money on way too much food. I then went and picked up the crew so we could get dinner ready at Adam and Adrienne's house.

 

The grill master doing what he does best.

THIS is his happy place. Can you tell?

So while the boys were cooking and getting food ready, the girls were being productive as well.

Baxter and Charlotte...all dressed up...

This picture is so hilarious. Ole Bax, the best dog ever.

So we all cooked some delicious food. We had tons of food. Grandma and Grandpa Jackson came over and so did Aunt Amelia and Cullen.  We gave out our presents for Mother's Day and Father's Day. The kids helped them open them.

Sawyer was all done with photos. So over it.

But my little model loves her picture taken :)

Showing Grandma and Grandpa one of the present we brought them for their garden and flower beds.

We got Uncle Adam and Aunt Adrienne some fabulous little trinkets as well. We got them some frames and decorations for their house.

Uncle Adam's present was clearly a hit.

'Merica

Sawyer jumped in and wore the doo rag as well!

We all sat around and played with the kids after dinner. The kids, as usual, put on a show. They love when they have EVERYONE's attention.

After Grandma and Grandpa left, we built a nice fire (even though it was a million degrees outside). I put the kids to bed and us adults got to hang out and catch up for awhile.

The boys smoked some cigars and broke in the new lighter :)

 

We stayed up way too late :) But whenever we get to be reunited with our bests, it is hard to go to bed at a good time. It was such a fun nigh. Adam and Adrienne gave us their master bedroom. The kids slept on a special bed on the floor. Alex and I got their large soft bed. It was perfect!!! They are the best :) And know how to make people feel at home.

 

And our vacation continues!!!



A Day In Surfside Beach

On Thursday, November 21, 2013, the kids chose to get up nice and early as usual (7:30 am EST....so their normal 6:30 am). They got up and played around the beach house and before we knew it the rowdiness of the kiddos had woken the puppies up. Naturally, Charlotte was super pumped to have the puppies awake.

 

Can you tell????

I made breakfast for everyone. Bacon, eggs, and toast can make everyone happy.  I went for a quick run (it wasn't quick though. It was so slow. Staying up late and getting up early is not the greatest thing for a run. My arms kept going numb as well.)

 

When I got back, this is how I found Charlotte :)

Grandma and Grandpa Jackson called around 10 am and wanted to take Charlotte with them to get pancakes. They came by to say "hi" and see if she wanted to hang out with them for the day. She didn't want to leave her doggies (she is obsessed) and she has a fear in riding in cars with anyone but Mommy and Daddy.  So they ran their errands and Alex and Adam took the kids on a golf cart ride to chill them out for a nap. They ended up taking a nap when they got back which just really is a necessary if anyone in the same area code wants to have a good day.

 

While the babes napped, we relaxed.

This is relaxation :) Phones. Door open. Feet up. Quietness.

Adam and Alex had a few places they needed to run and Adrienne and I waited for the kids to wake up. We then loaded them into the car and headed to the Dead Dog Salloon in Murrells Inlet.

This boy...

This was the best picture I could get of her. She was so nuts.

How priceless is this????

 

We were meeting our amazing friend, Kate and her daughter Ella at the restaurant. She drove 3 hours from Greenville to spend the night with us. It's been a year since we had seen them because they actually live in San Diego. (For those who don't know, Drew (Kate's husband) is Alex's best friend in this whole world...more like a brother than a friend friend.) So Kate is like a sister too. Alex is one of Ella's Godfathers.  So Drew, Kate, and Ella are family. That is what I am getting at. We knew we needed to meet up since the chances of us being in the same state at the same time is very rare.

 

When Charlotte and Ella saw each other, they ran across the parking lot and hugged!! The last time they saw each other, Ella was 14 months old and Charlotte was 21 months old. Now they are both 2. They LOVE each other.

We chose to sit outside (and I got pooped on by a bird.)

Love this picture of my beautiful sister-in-law.

He was FREAKED out by the bird. So freaked out. He kept screaming at them.

Kate and Ella :)

After lunch, the boys continued to do their own thing. Kate, Adrienne and I ran by Dollar General for wrapping paper, soda, and a few odds and ends. Adrienne actually sat in the car with the kids...oh how I love running errands with someone else to help out. Grandma and Grandpa wanted to see the kids so we had them meet us at the beach so the crazies could run around. (I've become this crazy weather-watching momma and I knew that this particular day would be the best weather we would have the entire time we were there.) I had also promised Charlotte that we would beach it up after we got back from lunch.

 

So Alex, Grandma Jackson, and Grandpa Jackson took the kids down to the beach in the golf cart. Kate, Adrienne, Adam, the dogs and I walked (it was less than 2 blocks).

When we got there (not even 5 minutes after they did), this sandy little face met us :)

Oh you know, just crawling on the beach...

Three beautiful babes on the beach.

 

This boy takes my breath away.

These two...it was so funny how much they love each other.

So beautiful. Surfside Beach, SC

Adam, Adrienne, Baxter, and Drake.

Such a cute family. How hilarious are these dogs???

 

Sawyer's first REAL time on the beach. HE LOVED IT.

 

 

 

My boys.

After about 25 minutes and once the sun was almost down (and it cooled off from almost 70 to like 60), it was time to put these chilly kids into a warm tub.

My kids LOVE Ella.

So sweet....

 

Grandma and Grandpa Jackson came back to the beach house with us to hang out for awhile. They watched the kids play and watched them play in the bath tub.

 

It was such a great day. It was busy but great :) We got the kids bathed and ready for dinner. Bring on a fun night out!

On Our Way to South Carolina...

I am getting this blog restarted....after taking a bit of time off due to the holidays and technical difficulties... 

 

Here is our trip to South Carolina...

 

 

On Wednesday, November 20, we got up early and got ready to go to the airport. Mom and Dad watched the kids for us over night so we could get a good night's sleep before our long day of travelling. They also wanted to spend time with the kids before we left to go on a trip. I was able to finish packing, cleaning, and feel completely organized before going to bed on Tueday night. Wednesday morning, Alex and I picked up the kids from Gigi and Papa's house around 9:30 and headed to the airport. As we pulled up to the airport, we got a phone call that our flight was being delayed from 11:20 to 12:30 which meant that we would be missing our connection. Perfect :)

 

So we got our three large checked bags, 2 carseats in bags, 5 carry ons, and 2 strollers unloaded from the Tahoe and I parked it while Alex got the bags organized. We then got all checked in.

 

 

They had to change our second flight which made it so we would have more time on our layover in Atlanta. We were getting into Surside 2 and half hours later than originally planned....but that's ok. We let Adam and Adrienne know and we were all good :) We got a snack at the crappy little restaurant (no offense airport) and then headed to the gate. It's so nice travelling from a small airport. The kids ran wild. Old ladies loved watching them. Finally our plane arrived.

 

Charlotte was a bit uneasy.... 

Our chariot awaits!

Sawyer was intrigued with all of the trucks, tractors, and planes.

He was so excited!!

Travelling with kids, you get to board early so we got onto the plane and got settled. Charlotte was so excited to have her own seat and to be sitting by the window. We actually had our own row so Alex and Charlotte had one side of the aisle and Sawyer and I had the other.

She LOVED it.

Sawyer was in awww of everything going on outside the window.

Sawyer fell asleep right before take off and he slept the entire flight.

 

 

 

Charlotte was awake until we reached our flying altitude then all of the coolness wore off and she went to sleep until the end of the flight.

 

 

Both kids were complimented on being such good babes the entire flight. Alex and I both ordered alcoholic beverages.... We thought it was only fitting since this was our only vacation of the year.

 

 

We landed in Atlanta and had plenty of time for diaper changes, time to get snacks, and time for more diaper changes. (Sawyer peed through. Naturally. He does that. A lot.) We ate some pizza. The kids were pretty restless and Atlanta was NUTS. Seriously it was packed. I hate taking the kids to packed places like that. Ugh. But we boarded the plane and got settled. This flight was less enjoyable. Charlotte and I saw together this time and Sawyer sat with Alex. Kind of. We switched off and on. They were all over the place but it was a shorter flight. We were crazy relieved when the wheels hit the ground.

 

 

Adam and Adrienne picked us (and the small apartment worth of belongings we brought with us) and took us to Mimi's house. It was SO GOOD to see them. We hadn't seen them, or Mimi, since June. The kids and I rode with Adrienne in Mimi's car and Alex rode with Adam in his big 'ole truck. When we got to Mimi's, like always, she had food read for us to eat. We all ate quickly (it was almost 7 pm by the time we got done). I knew we were on borrowed time with the kiddos so Adrienne and I ran to Walmart to get the essentials...Milk, bottled water, detergent, food, snacks, breakfast stuff, etc. As we were leaving to head to Walmart for our quick run, Grandma and Grandpa Jackson arrived. The kids were able to spend time with them for awhile before bedtime. Adrienne and I shopped and went back to the beach house we were staying in with them so we could get settled. Alex's Uncle Keith has a beach house in the same community as Mimi so we stayed at his place with Adrienne and Adam and their pups. It was PERFECT. They had the beds made for us and everything ready.

 

Once the beach house was settled, Adrienne and I headed back over to Mimi's house. Alex said it was time to get the kids settled in for bed. Sawyer had fallen asleep on Alex's lap. Alex handed him off to Grandma Jackson for the rest of this sleeping. Poor boy peed through onto Grandma...like I said, he always does that.

 

Naturally when we got back to the beach house, both kids got bursts of energy. They LOVED meeting the dogs and playing with them.

 

Within minutes, Charlotte was curled up with Aunt Adrienne and Baxter. She was in love.

 

 

Once we got the kids to bed, Alex, Adam, Adrienne, and I stayed up late talking and catching up. It was so good to be reunited with them :)

 

 

Here's to five days of SC fun!!!