Hilton Head Island 2013

For the 3rd year in a row, as we have done since we moved here, we headed the first full week of summer vacation to my little island paradise, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It is the perfect combination of southern charm, woods and beautiful beaches. All my favorite things. Addison was settling in after the long drive and staking out her little space in the condo.

Reagan was the smart one, she hit the patio and was looking at the view the minute we arrived.

Can't get enough of this. From every room in the condo, you can look out to this breathtaking ocean view.

We spent several evenings in our favorite nighttime spot in Shelter Cove Harbour. The girls love Cappy the Clown. She is there every year. She has the slowest line I have ever experienced and you can never really tell what her face paintings are, but she loves the children and they adore her.

That's my big girls singing on stage at the Shannon Tanner show. We love this family entertainment night. He sings, the kids dance and perform and it is fun for all ages.

Gracyn had to have that light up sword, she brought it out with her each night.

My crew in the marina. I was sporting the natural look, no make-up and ponytail all week, and it was so nice! I think I had make-up on 3 times in 9 days. 

Tommy and the girls enjoying the pool.

Dinner at the Salty Dog Cafe, our favorite restaurant in Sea Pines. The girls got their faces painted here as well, but the heat index was 104 degrees that night, so I think the humidity washed them right off. We shopped around the marina, ate ice-cream and watched a magic show after dinner.

Miss Debra and Phil met us for a portion of the trip this time. We had a great time visiting them and loved sharing all the things we love on the island.

Reagan was all over the body surfing and playing in the waves this year.

My Beach Babies!

Daddy and his boat riders. They bought this boat in Hilton Head last year, at the Piggly Wiggly when we grocery shopping. It turned out to be the best beach toy ever. They go way deep and the rougher the better. Miss Debra even jumped in one day. Its not fun until they get waves big enough to dump them out. Our poor boat finally popped on the next to last day there. RIP big orange boat, you will be missed. They bought a replacement, but it wasn't quite the same.

This girl was quite the fisherman with that net. She could spend hours wading in tide pools and shallow waters catching tiny little fish. She kept buckets of them each day and then released them before we went in at night.

My happy place!!!

Gracyn spent her days playing in the sand and playing with the buckets of fish Addison caught. She isn't a big fan of the waves and keeps her distance. By the end of the week, she would occasionally splash in the surf, but she was pretty content to stay dry.

My supermodels ready for a day of sun.

I know it doesn't seem like it from this post, but I actually took very few pictures this year. I was just so laid back and enjoying the moments, I didn't always want to worry about having the camera along.

Such a fun-filled week alligator hunting, bike riding, horseback riding, sea-turtle watching, ice-cream eating, kayaking, relaxing and just enjoying time together. We saw a car decal at a souvenir shop that said OHIO, but the H and I were made with the South Carolina state logo. Perfect for me!

Friends

The day after school got out and the day before we left for vacation, we were blessed with a visit from some of our nearest dearest friends, who live in Phoenix. We met the Wooldridges during the short time, 10 years ago, when we lived in Arizona. They lead the first small group bible study we ever participated in. At that time, Carlee was a little baby and the only child among us. In the past 10 years, we have gone on to have 3 girls each and until this past year we have managed to see each other about once each year. We have met on Disney Cruise, we go to Phoenix and they have come to see us in all 3 states since we left AZ. Visiting is more of a challenge since our move to Cincinnati...think PRICEY airfare and no non-stop flights. Thankfully Jaime was actually born here and still has family in the area. They had a family wedding and planned a trip to see us and their family. We had about 30 hours total with them before we had to leave on the beach vacation we already had booked when we found out about their trip. We made the best of the time.....the girls played and played, we talked and talked. We fed them loads of MARS Chocolate from our stash and we spent a day at King's Island. It amazes me that our girls have never lived in the same state and see each other only a few days visit, but they are instant buddies and have a great time. Ashley, Jaime, Tommy and I pick up right were we left off and it always feels like we have never move apart. We are so grateful for our time in Arizona, mainly because of these lifelong friendships God provided us there. We squeezed as much as we could into every second they were here. We went to sleep about 5 hours before we were scheduled to leave for the beach Saturday morning. We tiptoed out at 4am and left them all sleeping. They stayed on at our house for several more days after we left and of course left my house in better shape than I had. I talked so much I lost my voice, can't wait for next time!!!

Little Gym

The first day of summer found us back and forth to Little Gym several times for the end-of-year show week. The girls are getting older and probably won't do another full session there, but we love the place and people to much to fully give it up and are looking forward to some fun camp days this summer.

Welcome to Summer

The last day of school, I always host an ice-cream sundae party for the girls, the neighborhood kids and a few close friends. We play with water balloons, eat lots of junk food and celebrate SUMMERTIME! This year, we added the crash-sign surprise and had it waiting when they ran off the bus. Tommy missed most of the May festivities/craziness, due to work travel, so thankfully on the last day of school he was in town and worked from home so he got to play too!

Since we don't really watch a lot of sporting events, I wasn't sure they would know what to do with the sign, but clearly Addison doesn't need any instruction.

Reagan wasn't far behind. 

Posing for a second, and then ready to party. Our favorite neighborhood besties, The Leslies had taken off the day before for Disney, the celebration wasn't the same without them.

Gracyn's party wardrobe. Don't mind my messy garage! I can only keep so much clean/picked up and the garage and basement never make the list!

Posing in the sun with a few favorite friends. They are all wet from the water balloons. It took Gracyn and I hours throughout the day to fill them and it took the girls about 5 minutes to go through the whole bucket.

Ice-cream time! I love summer with my girls and we like to kick it off with a fun start. Nothing makes me happier than having my house full of wild, excited, happy kids!

Reagan's Dance Recital

Gracyn's End of School

My sweet girl is growing up. It might have been the last day of her first year of preschool, but she will always be a baby in our eyes.

Gracyn's preschool has a big end of year chapel that we look forward to each year. Few things in life are sweeter than watching kids worship! 

After chapel they had a picnic on the playground. She had the sweetest class. I am thankful our whole group is remaining together for Pre-K next year and we are still seeing these sweet kids often for summer playdates.

Strong Tessa giving all the girls a ride on the tire swing. It was freezing outside. We ate quickly and played for a short time then headed in to warm up.

Love Miss Megan and Miss Colleen. They were such a blessing to our whole family, when Reagan started their class mid-year when we moved 2 years ago. We were thrilled to have them again for Gracyn.

Life from the Iphone

It's the time of year we are back to King's Island. Opening day was a few weeks ago and we have been 5 times so far. Tommy is too tall for a few of the roller coasters. He can't ride the coasters where your feet dangle down....can you see how sad he is about that?

We love watching old episodes of the Brady Bunch, especially the King's Island episode. So, when they had a 40 year reunion with several cast members Sunday, we had to go. It was a long line in a big crowd, but we had fun.

She had the carousel to herself this night. We rode 3 times, till Mama couldn't spin anymore!

Last week I got to chaperon Addison's class field trip to the museum. We saw the Flight of Butterflies movie in the Omni. It was so good.

My group of girls at the museum.

Love our weekday mornings at King's Island, with friends, before kindergarten drop-off. Can you tell how tall Reagan is? Her legs are long!!! She is the only child her age, I know, that can  ride the big rides!

Mother's Day

Tommy and the girls gave me some sweet special treatment this weekend for Mother's Day. First, they let me sleep until 9am on Saturday, without anyone coming in!!! Usually, my sleep late days involve frequent visitors/questions/requests, so it was extra nice.  I made a quick trip to the gym and then came home to get the girls for our local children's theatre production of The Little Mermaid. We met friends there and had a great afternoon watching the show. Afterwards, we met Tommy at Outback for dinner. When we came home, they had a few gifts and a "Spa" set up for me. Reagan did my hair. Gracyn gave me a massage and Addison had a hot bath all set up. So sweet! Best of all, were the many sweet notes, letters and crafts they brought home from school. Love my sweet family. So blessed to be the Mama in this bunch. 

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Tommy turned 35 last week. The girls were up bright and early to help him celebrate. They decorated the house with streamers and Gracyn made him a crown. He "lost" the crown several times throughout the day, but she would go find it and bring it back to him. We got him some new clothes and a golf outing (that got rained out) and we cooked him his favorite dinner and dessert. We were thankful for the day to celebrate him.....my birthday is in a few weeks and that will wrap up the CRAZY birthday season at our house.

Addison's 8th Birthday Sleepover

She's 8 and I can't believe it!!! I have a hard time reconciling this grown-up little person with the baby bundle they handed me in a hospital 8 years ago. I love every second of watching her blossom into a young lady, but it is still mind-blowing how fast it happens.

 After much deliberating and careful planning Addison decided on a sleepover for her 8th birthday party. It was the perfect choice for her. We had 5 girls, plus her sisters, so 9 girls from Friday night to Saturday morning. They started off the night with a dance party in the living room.

Later I had a scavenger hunt throughout the house and yard with lots of sleepover treasures. Justice slippers for everyone were the biggest hit from the hunt.

They did crafts.

And, we had a pizza dinner.

She opened presents....American Girl items, THREE diaries and lots of Justice accessories.

And the grand finale. Her friend Brooke gave her a horse riding lesson at a local farm. They were both so excited!!!

The perfect gift!!!

We had cake, watched a movie, jumped on the trampoline and then they headed to her room. The listened to music, chatted and played truth or dare until around midnight when I began trying to wind them down. The last girl was finally asleep at 1am. They all woke at 5am, but I thankfully got them back to sleep.

Here are a few girls having donuts for breakfast the next morning. I think the others were already on the trampoline. It was a fun night celebrating my girl and was just her style! Now, we have Daddy's bday in a few days and then mama can take a rest from the party planning!