Golf Outing - BlackMor

Everyone had such a great time during the first golf outing, they ousted parasailing for another round of golf! We tried a different course this time...BlackMor. Everyone was having such a great time...they were ALL beating me, but it was fun inspite of my lack of golf skills! Connor got his first par on a REALLY difficult hole! I didn't even play that hole...water was involved, so I knew there was no point in giving up so many balls on one hole! :) He was quite proud of himself and I was very impressed! He is serious about golf...but in a fun way! Jeffery was trying to teach me the finer points of golf...I need alot of training! (That's a good thing :)) Anna had her clubs and never gave up...she's such a trooper! Austin feel in love with the game...I think he and Connor are seriously thinking of taking up this sport. Brandon has a strong swing and enjoyed the game too...but, I think he enjoyed the golf cart best! We got in 9+ holes before the thunder/lightening ran us off just about dusk. It was another perfect day together...as soon as we got in the van, the heavens opened and it POURED down rain most of the night! Glad we got our game in!!

Golf at Willbrooke

We made sure to leave room in the van for ALL the golf clubs! All the kids wanted to play this year, so we made it a priority to "pack light" so we could bring the clubs! I'm so glad we did...it was so much fun and the kids were so into it! They are MUCH better than me, but I had a great time inspite of my lack of golf skills! We thought we would play 18 holes...a little ambitious for a amateur family of 6! But, we had a great time on the 11+ holes we did manage to get in by dusk(dark - we were the last people to leave the course)! The boys wanted to drive the golf carts...strictly prohibited by the club unfortunately, because it is such fun for them! The course we played was absolutely georgeous...Willbrooke. Some history around this course...an old plantation...beautiful grounds! If I hadn't swung a club once, I would have still had a fabulous time with Jeffery, the boys and Anna. The boys were very patient with Anna and I..."swing and a miss" although intended for baseball, was my phrase of the day! LOL I tried, but wow, did I have a rough game! The boys looked like pros out there! It was just a GREAT afternoon! We ended the day with a delicious dinner of all-you-can-eat shrimp at Gilligans...YUMMY! The kids were all asking if we could play again this trip...gotta make that happen!

Kayaking Trip...Murrells Inlet

We decided to try a new adventure this year, so we embarked on a Kayaking Tour in Murrells Inlet. None of us had ever done this before, so we were looking forward to it! It was a long ride...2+ hours round trip. Jeffery and Austin, Brandon and Connor and Anna and I...had our bottles of water, life vests, paddles and we were off...oh...don't forget LOTS of sunscreen on the open water! It was alot of fun and very relaxing...not to mention comical at times!!

Cloudy Beach Day...

One of the most beautiful days on the beach was a cloudy day...not a typical "perfect" beach day, but there is something about rain clouds and rain at the beach that just moves me! It reminds me of the awesome power of God...the perfect creation plan. It's peaceful, yet powerful. It reminds me of another rainy day we spent on this same beach when Brandon and Connor were little...about 4 and 5 and Austin was about 18 months. The black clouds rolled in and it poured down rain...I had no camera, but that day is forever etched in my memory. Everyone ran for cover except us and an older couple next to us who were watching the boys play Brandon and Connor were running and squeeling and covered in sand from head to toe. Austin was little and he and I were snuggled in a lounge chair under the umbrella...sheltered from the cold rain. Jeffery and I just laughed out loud out our boys having such a grand time. So, today even though it was cloudy, it was still a beautiful, perfect day on the beach. I just love watching Jeffery and the kids playing on the beach...I love to see their smiling faces...I love playing with them, getting knocked down by the waves and hearing the kids laugh hysterically! What's not to love about a perfect family day at the beach?

After a great day at the beach and pool, we were ready to head out for a nice dinner and a visit to Broadway at the Beach...but not before Mom captured some great family pictures! This vacation is all about relaxation, fun and great family time! We are enjoying our traditions at the beach and making wonderful memories together...our kids are growing up so quickly and every stage brings with it change....it's great to have this time to just stop all the hustle-bustle and just be together...no worry, no stress...it's all about fun!

We could not wait for our annual beach trip...we considered going somewhere new, but we always come back to our favorite place...it's become a much anticipated family tradition! We were ready to get an early start Saturday morning...well...a little later than we planned, but we were finally on our way! We followed the GPS and it took us a different route...the same route 4 billion other beach-seekers were taking...we finally ventured off on a back road and started moving! It was worth the drive...we finally made it and got checked in by 5:30. We had to hit the beach for a quick stroll...the beach was beautiful...the sand under our toes, the wind in our face...life is good! We strolled along the beach for a bit, then headed out to our favorite Mexican place at Litchfield...LaPlaya...yummy!!! We hit Piggly Wiggly to stock up on a few things on our way back and then we were ready to call it a night so we would be ready to hit the beach first thing in the a.m. Our first morning on the beach was perfect...bright and sunny...waves rolling in...beautiful water...a perfect day!!! The boys stayed in the water for hours...Anna and I were back and forth between the water and the sand. Anna was warming up to the water and the waves...lots of fun and laughter...a great day! Jeffery and the boys gave that boogie-board quite a workout...they were diving under the waves and just having a great time together...it was wonderful to just watch them!

Thank you, God, for the amazing swimming pool you created for us to enjoy...it is just breathtaking and with every wave, we are reminded of your mighty, awesome power!

Summer has come and gone...Backwards Back to School

I can't believe another summer has come and gone...it went by way too fast! I wish we could have had more time to do more fun things, but school us upon us ready or not. The last week of summer, we did try to pack in some last minute summer fun! We had dinner with friends and a great time visiting and catching up on all the summer excitement. Jeffery and the boys went to a midnight showing of GIJoe...night owls! The kiddo's wanted to go shopping and out to lunch...which we managed to get in on the Friday before school. We met the teachers, then had a great lunch at kids choice...Urban Flats...they like good food! We had a nice time and talked about all the teachers and their goals for the new school year...they are all excited about what this year will bring...new teachers, new friends, old friends, Campus Life, Odyssey of the Mind, reading clubs, etc...being in brand new schools is really cool...everything is clean and new! Books haven't arrived yet, but hopefully they will be there by the end of the week. :)

Connor's team played in a tournament this weekend...which has been the case many years the weekend before school starts. It was fun to watch him out on the field...he played great and scored a couple of goals! Most importantly, he played his best and he had fun, so it was a very successful weekend!

Sunday night before school, we did our traditional back-wards back-to-school dinner...YES...DESSERT FIRST! Brandon...teenager that he has become...was with friends for one last get together before school, but he did make it home for the main course. We grilled quesadillas...Jeffery is teaching Connor to be the Master of the Grill...those two are becoming quite creative...and we are all benefitting from that with GREAT food! They grilled peaches too...yummy!! All in all, a great end to the official summer break and everyone had back-packs packed, clothes laid out and were ready to begin a new adventure in 8th, 7th, 4th and Kindergarten. I pray that their first day is FANTASTIC...full of all good things...God bless and keep them safe and help them all to have a great year!!