Holden Beach 2014

 The Ervins, MacLeans, Pinhos, and Aunt Patricia packed up and headed to the beach in July for some fun in the sun. There was a good bit of sun and we did manage to have some fun thankfully. 7 kids is a lot. There was always a constant rotation of kids at the beach. Not much reading and relaxing was had by the adults as the waves crashed in the distance, but memories were made which is what matters.

We made a ditch like we did several years ago. I was thinking we were going to get to keep the big hole for awhile. But, no, they  I dug it and then they sat in it and filled the hole.

We played some tag football. We could get through usually three or four plays before one or another kid would get upset and the game ended.

The ladies all enjoyed the porch looking out at the ocean.

And to my mother's dismay, technology played a big part in the week. This was a common theme around the house.

And on the last day Miss Haven finally made it out to the beach. It's no fun putting a 4 month old in a bathing suit, lathering her with lotion to take her to sit under a tent with the wind blowing in her face so she can't keep her eyes open. If I'm going to go through the effort to cover her in lotion, I want her or me to enjoy it. So it was just easier to keep her inside or on the covered porch most of the week. But since she was there, we had to at least get pictures of her on the beach at least once so we can pretend we did it everyday.

4th of July

I realize we are now in September but I am a bit behind in the blog world. :) A little baby, a sister and her family leaving the country and then us doing the same thing three weeks later keeps one busy. Intermingled with chaos the last few months were some sweet times that should not be quickly forgotten.

I have truly come to enjoy our little fourth of July celebrations. I loved the whole experience of fireworks as a young adult and I look forward to my kids enjoying them but for now home fireworks done in the early evening when it is still bright outside works for me. :)

Brady was not a fan of the sounds. He got the headphones so he could be with everyone. It was the poppers in his hand that made too much noise.

So when there was actually something making noise, inside with binoculars became the safe bet.

 And what Fourth of July would be complete without watermelon? Love it!

Charleston, well the pineapple fountain at least

Whenever we are in Charleston I always want to go downtown. It holds special memories for Brett and I as that is where we started our marriage. You can't get much better than Charleston. I love going now because the boys are starting to have memories of this area as well. I never took pictures of them with a bear or whatever as they grew but the pineapple fountain marks their growth. :) Starting from when D was just a little babe himself.

Dawson early 2006

June 2014

The boys got into fishing for money that people had thrown in with their wishes. They searched and searched and came out with their pockets full of coins, albeit very damaged ones. :) Hopefully we didn't take away anyone's wishes when we removed their coins. :)

Brett and D laid like this for quite awhile. There had been a homeless man swimming in the fountain when we arrived and I think anyone who came up after us thought there was one still in there, until I called for Brett to get out. :) He said it was really peaceful in there. :)

fLoRiDa

We spent most of June in Florida with Brett's mom. It's always nice to be there and the boys love being only a few blocks from the beach. It was our afternoon routine to head out for a little bit and enjoy the waves and sand. 

H joined us only once as it is a bear to get lotion all over a baby and then try to make sure she didn't get sun exposure. The wind was also a bit much for her. But what a cutie in a bathing suit! Don't know why looking at her little back got to me but I just thought she looked so delicious!

 We went down to the Ponce De Leon lighthouse that had an animal center beside it. This tank was full of sting rays that you could pet. Kenan, being Kenan, jumped right in and put his hand in the water, touching each one as it came by (the stinging parts had been removed from them, but still...).

D was a lot more hesitant, as was I, but I decided that if I was going to encourage him to touch them that I needed to do it myself so I did. Squishy! D finally got up the courage to do it himself.

They loved looking at the eel. I personally have a hard time with eels thanks to "Princess Bride" but since my kids hadn't seen it, they loved it. :)

There was also a very informative session on this bird, which I have forgotten the name of. I may not be able to tell you what kind of bird it is, but I can tell you a lot about it. :)

Brett, the boys, and I climbed the lighthouse. Quite a few steps but they did very well. The view was worth it.

The lake

One of my most favorite things to do while in the US is visit my uncle's lake house. I have so many good memories here from growing up (the house was my grandparents' before they died). The lake is peaceful and calm and there's not much more wonderful than waking up to a beautiful morning there. 

To grandma's delight, the boys wanted to fish. They don't stay out for long periods of time but they did enjoy fishing.

My favorite part of the lake is going on boat rides. They are a little piece of heaven. All kids must wear life jackets and poor Haven's swallowed her up. She would fall asleep whenever we rode because there wasn't much else she could do stuck in the jacket. :)

Learning life lessons from Dad in the water. I love when the boys have their little pow wows. 

 We all got to enjoy roasting marshmallows one evening as well at the new fire pit. A perfect way to end a wonderful day!