Kiawah in the Fall

The kids and I spent a week at Kiawah Island. My sister Kelly was able to spend several days with us as well.  It was a trip full of new experiences and much relaxation!

We rode our bikes all over the island and found two of the marsh view towers. 

 The views were spectacular.

 
  One of the towers is on an island nature area.
In the middle of the week we took the ferry from Charleston to tour Fort Sumter for the first time.

The fort was really interesting and the park ranger talk was really well done. 

I find listening to the park ranger talks to be the best part of visiting our national parks and monuments. 

The gentleman telling the story at the Wright Brothers Museum in Kill Devil Hills, NC had the entire crowd so enthralled that many of us were moved to tears with his retelling of the story.  

But I digress. 

Unfortunately, you're only allowed a short time to explore the fort (less than an hour) and we felt we had to rush through to see as much as we could.

One thing that took up a lot of time on the fort was finding all the answers to the Junior Ranger questionnaire.

Back on land, the kids passed their test, took the oath and got their Junior Ranger badges as well as their names on the Junior Ranger wall of fame.

The last of firsts on this trip was kayaking the Kiawah River.  It was hot and exhausting but fun. 

We also had the added pleasure {sarcasm} of paddling against in the incoming tide on our way out and against the outgoing tide on the way back in.  

We'll definitely check the tide schedule before the next time we go out!

And so you can say you learned something while reading this, the Kiawah River is not an actual river but is instead a salt marsh and estuary. Now, don't you feel smarter?

We had a wonderful visit and look forward to getting back down to KI in December.

Friends, Camo Easter Baskets and Jesus.

Everything is more fun with good friends. 

Especially when Mom throws together an impromptu Easter egg hunt in the backyard.

Will picked out the Camo basket at the dollar store because, "that's what they would use on Duck Dynasty."

The best part was when I asked the kids what Easter was really all about and all four of them shouted "Jesus!"  

Then we had an awesome discussion about the gift Jesus gave us by laying down his life so that we can live in hope and grace forever.  

It was a moment.  A really great one.

Because I Have a Really Nice Camera...

...I'm the type of person who takes pictures of my kids on school picture day.  Might as well snap them while they look nice, right?

Also, let me say that I have always said, "have your picture made," instead of "have your picture taken."  Scott makes fun of me every single time.  

"Picture made? You do know that it's not 1890, right?"  

Hey, I'm a Southerner.  We have our pictures made.  

I also mash buttons.

And every drink must have ice, not just a few cubes, but filled to the top of the cup.

Deal with it or go back home, Yankee :)

ANYhoo.

 See that portrait of the little boy in a fedora on the upper left wall?  That's Scott when he was two!

 No, your eyes do not deceive you.  Will is just shy of four years younger, but only about 2 inches shorter than his sister. 

Needless-to-say, Eliza Grace is patiently waiting on her "big" growth spurt.  

Will, on the other hand, is always in the middle of one!

They always have to have Chewie in at least one shot.  

He's a furry beast in this picture but by the time I pick him up from the groomer this afternoon, he'll have had his Spring shave and will look - and hopefully smell - completely different!

Ah, this kid.  "No personality at all," said no one ever!

Kid+Dog+Another Kid

My oh my.

This kid is moving from little girl to not so little girl way to quickly.

Her eyes say, "I'm my own person."

She'll be 11 in 17 days.

 And this not so little kid really loves her dog.  

Hey Chewie, look over here!

 I can hear her saying, "who's a good Chew Chew?" in that Mommy-speaking-to-a-baby voice that comes so naturally.

 
 And then this kid.  The one in blue? 

I think he's up to something. 

It Was a Very Merry Christmas Indeed

And just in case you're wondering, I did get the other cowboy boot!

Random Pictures Monday

Posting a few random iPhone pics left over from our recent trip to Kiawah Island.

Will's car traveling style, aided by Dramamine
Eliza Grace's traveling style, aided by reams of paper and lots of markers.
Will drew "heart" Mom in the sand
Eliza Grace's natural art project.
Participating in Kazoo band night.
Will holds a corn snake at the Reptile Round-Up
Petting a 6 year old gator.
Eliza Grace and a king snake

Kids and Cannons

The Charleston, South Carolina Battery is a beautiful contradiction.

It has sweeping harbor views.250+ year old live Oaks that make great monkey bars...
...and a nice spot for my beautiful Mother-in-law (who has not aged a day in 20 years!) to lean on.

There are several statues and monuments to honor fallen heroes.

And then...there are the cannons.
Lots and lots of Civil War-era cannons.Which are also great substitutes for monkey bars!