Pics from the beach

To end our vacation postings... my favorite pics of the "khaki and white" beach experience..

Our Big Fat Baptist Vacation (part 2)

After a great Atlanta adventure, we headed to HHI. We were a little worried about how the boys would deal with the sand. The only other time they had been to the ocean, they hated it. But no worries... they loved it. What we never really thought about was jellyfish. In the years we have been going to HHI, none of us had ever had a sting. In fact, it had become a joke that Ned (David's BIL) always carried meat tenderizer to the beach. We laughed every year as he gave us the "beware of jellyfish" speech and then demonstrated sting care. I guess this year he decided that after 18 years of no stings, it was safe to leave the tenderizer at home. Wouldn't you know it, this was the year of jelly stings. Olivia was the first victim. She was stung on the ribcage. Next came Lauren out of the water with both ankles stung. Alex ended up with 4 stings, which he wore like a badge of courage. Needless to say, Ned had a supply of vinegar and meat tenderizer for the remainder of the week. Joshua spent one morning making an octopus with his daddy.

The 4th of July is my favorite holiday. I LOVE it!! Since this wonderful day fell during our trip, we got to watch fireworks at the beach. The show was great with one exception... no patriotic music. I really don't understand fireworks without patriotic music. What on earth were organizers thinking? The entire holiday is based on the birth of our country. Why would you even have a celebration if you offered not a single musical note of tribute? Now, I appreciate the Beetles as much as the next person, but..really? Am I the only one who sees irony in playing a Beetles medley for the 4th of July fireworks? Otherwise, we enjoyed our red, white and blue!

Even the 2 anti-picture guys managed a smile.

The twins even sported some spikes for the occasion :)

One of our new favorite places on the island is Flamingo's Doughnut Cafe. It is the very best of all things doughnut. You can have any of dozens of varieties of glazes and toppings.

Olivia chose Reece's Cup, yep a doughnut covered in peanut butter and chocolate.

The boys jumped into the cookies and cream choice.One night we took flashlights and went for a walk on the beach. It was so much fun watching the kids run about with flashlight beams bouncing in the darkness. It was fun for everyone except an unfortunate crab. He was followed by screaming children and bright lights for what seemed like an eternity. I am sure he will be in therapy :)

Alex had some fun on the golf course one afternoon...

No twins were injured or even touched in the taking of these photos :)

What you can't see is the kite that Olivia is flying some 300 feet up in the air.

Olivia taking a short break from shopping.

Our Big Fat Baptist Vacation (part 1)

We have been going to Hilton Head on vacation for close to 19 years. Since the little kids were born, we've only been a of couple times and then with only part of the family. We have always left some or all of the kids with Becky. This year, since I had gone back to work and the budget had some cushion, we decided that this was the year everyone was going to HHI. Can I tell you, we have been over the top excited about this trip since January?!?!

Let me also say... 6 people, one of whom is an admitted over-packer, can fill a mini van with no extra space whatsoever. Even the doll had to have special arrangements.

We left on Friday for a special surprise. We didn't even tell the kids where we were going. We just told them to get up and dressed because we were leaving a day early. They, of course were just excited to be off on a vacation. Alex was nearly overcome with curiosity, it was funny to watch.

We drove into Atlanta right at lunch time, you know what that means... The Varsity. After some orange drinks and hotdogs (and a surprise appearance by some friends from home) we headed to see the sights.

We visited Centennial Park and the CNN Center. It was SO HOT! We had some italian ice to cool us off.

Notice the blue lips/teeth, courtesy of blue raspberry.

Alex...always the willing subject of a pic (NOT)

More blue lips

Mango does not turn the lips a different color but it is still so very goodThen for the big surprise.... we went to a Braves game. Alex had been to a game with us several years ago. The little kids were more excited about the fireworks at the end of the game than any strategy or stats. They really couldn't understand the man in front of us who was watching the game and keeping stats on his iPad. Has there ever been a more stylish Braves fan, I think not :)

We watched a super fireworks show when the game ended. After the show we drove through Atlanta at night and headed to our hotel. On the advice from a friend I had "bid" on a hotel. We got a 4 star hotel for a steal of a deal. We even had a room that faced the airport so the kids (and big kids as well) could watch planes land and take off. It was a great day and night. What a way to start a vacation!