I could never tire of seeing these guys here. We love it at this place! Never too crowded, plenty of space to explore and be together.

Abigail says she wishes she could dig in the sand everyday. I like to see my baby girl get dirty in a dress!

Jackson wants to catch a fish or maybe even a whale with our new butterfly net!

A handful of tiny shells to add to our enormous collection.

Isabela is happy to be here. Notice Jackson and Abigail running behind her. Love the freedom the wind offers them.

So very thankful for this family and for the wonderful memories created!

Waiting for Starbucks sticky buns and apple fritters, all our favorites.

Playing at the pier after lunch outside

Arcade fun with games and rides. We got a ton of tickets to pick out prizes and had way too much fun before our LONG journey home.

Thank you daddy for escaping with us and treating us to this weekend. It’s because of you these three rejoice in their new experiences on the coast. They LOVE to have you NOT at work!

Ready to go back to Tennessee. Abigail in one of her many pairs of shades. Everyone loves them.

October 16, 2012
Categories: Excursions, Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

It was a very windy day on the coast when we woke up and the waves were crashing loudly! Too active to set up tent on the sand or to play in the water.

We decided to visit the Harvest Festival and Butterfly Exhibit at Brookgreen Gardens. We hoped we not only would find pumpkins but also our butterfly we had released earlier in the month!

We couldn’t believe how many species of butterfly’s were in this tent. We had to be careful where we stepped because they were all over the path we were walking. In the back of the tent was a viewing window with probably fifty chrysalis’ displayed on branches with some emerging butterflies drying their wings. Flowers and bushes in the exhibit were covered with beautiful colorful butterflies all around us.

We took a ton of pictures of never before seen butterflies but this was the most plentiful type and our familiar favorite!

A praying mantis, river otters, foxes, tons of birds, farm animals, and an alligator were a few of the living things we took pictures of. The children were super excited that the animals were even celebrating the colorful fall season with pumpkins in and around their habitats.

Jackson had some laughs with this statue before heading to the field to play in the hay.

He and another little boy moved almost every bale of hay and had a blast jumping off! He had made a new friend and his confidence soared as he jumped each time higher and higher.

The two girls fell asleep in the double stroller. When Abigail woke up she was happy to see this fuzzy black and white stuffed puppy we had bought her. We named it Oreo. She wasn’t sure she wanted to sit on the hay but she liked climbing in it and running between the scarecrows.

Isabela was just happy to see her daddy when she woke up! I couldn’t stop taking photos of her hugging him and having the sweetest expression of love.

There was pumpkin and face painting, bird feeder and scarecrow making areas, and great music and food scattered throughout this crowded field of pumpkins and kids! These two little birds hung out together very close to their daddy.

We had a great morning at the festival. Other than the wind, the weather was perfect.

With a canister of three balls, one for each, and two rackets, they were ready to hit the courts for tennis and caged running for the baby. Jackson wanted to hit over and over. He actually had good form and follow through. He loved hitting the ball over the net. Pure focus and commitment as always. Love for him to experience a skill, stick with it until he is satisfied of learning the basics, and then display confidence growing a little more. Abigail was like him. She enjoyed hitting the balls even though she showed frustrations if she didn’t hit it each and every time. She also spent a lot of time chasing her and Isabela’s hat from the crazy wind. They giggled every time the wind blew it off and threw it across the court.

A full day of fun for my little birds! They were so happy to play together. I of course am just happy to see their good health and excitement for each other and what they are doing.

I love your laugh and excitement Abigail!

October 13, 2012
Categories: Excursions, Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Harvest is behind us and it is time for our family beach excursion, finally October! We struggled in planning the perfect weekend getaway between schedules and weather.

A LONG journey to make it there, many stops for the restroom, answering many times “are we there, are you sure we are going the right way” we finally are on the coast!

Just like the other two, Isabela loved the water, sand, and freedom to play! Only once did she whine when the sand stuck between her toes.

As high tide went out, there were small pools of water all over the sand that they loved running and playing in.

Finally relaxing after making it to a familiar place, Jackson is back to normal enjoying the afternoon.

Isabela loved the waves tugging her out and the sand swirling around her toes. I absolutely cherished hearing her giggles and feeling the excitement in her body.

Beautiful afternoon with these sweet girls. We almost had the whole beach to ourself.

Playing on the deck and ready to eat! Thanks you two for stopping to smile for another quick picture! I love your spirit.

Waiting for our food and a chance to trade the sand for some grass in the courtyard. Notice the swollen lower lip. Not long after hitting the sand she took a fall. Sand and blood are not a good mix! She barely wanted to sit still to stop the bleeding.

There isn’t a better place to find inspiration to complete a spelling test than on the coast! Good attitude to complete some work. All words for the week were spelled correctly.

October 12, 2012
Categories: Excursions, Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment