Charleston

While my parents visited we took a weekend trip down to Charleston. When I visited a few years back with my bestie Kim, I fell instantly in love and have always wanted an excuse to go back.

We headed out Friday morning. I have to say it was so nice to go on a road trip in our new car and have all kinds of room and still have 6 people in the car.  We grabbed a quick breakfast at McDonald's and had to deal with Asher throwing a minor fit over not getting french fries. I have to say, I really wish McDonald's would sell french fries 24/7. It would make my life much easier.

We pretty much drove straight down with a pit stop at South of the Border of course. Then we stopped maybe 30 minutes outside of Charleston at a Chick-Fil-A to let Asher play and the adults eat a late lunch.

We stayed at a resort called Wild Dunes on Isle of Palms. Amazing! We had a very nice two bedroom condo that we shared with my parents.  We rested for a bit then headed to the beach. We had beautiful 80 degree weather the whole weekend.

The boys were on the lookout for alligators.

Beckham surprisingly really loved the water

 

 Grandma and Grandpa loved the beach as well

Beckham loved playing in the sand and only ate the tiniest bit.

Asher got soaked and loved running in and out of the waves.

 After the beach we headed out to find a place to eat. We ended up at a place called Gilligan's. They had great hush puppies and really good crab cakes so I was happy.

Saturday morning we ate breakfast at the resort and then drove into Charleston. It was St. Patrick's Day and there was lots of craziness around. We took a carriage ride around town. I didn't take any pictures this time since I had already been but it was a lovely afternoon. Asher loved riding in a carriage and spent a lot of time before and after petting the mules and horses. After our carriage ride, we spent some time in the central market looking at all of the souvenir and local artisan stuff to be purchased. Then we headed out in search of food. We headed to a restaurant that was recommended to us by a friend but as luck would have it, it is closed for lunch on Saturday's. We found a restaurant across the street called High Cotton and ate there instead. After our late lunch we headed back to the resort for relaxation and more beach.

The next morning we headed out to breakfast at another local restaurant recommended to us by my friend. Again, as luck would have it, they only accept cash and none of us had any. So we went down the street a bit and ended up with another delicious breakfast. Then we drove out to Magnolia Plantation.

Apparently it was mating season for the peacocks so they put on quite the show for us.

My parents took the house tour but since we have two little kids and I had already done the tour, we took the kids to the petting zoo instead. 

After the house tour finished we toured the gardens. This is one of the prettiest places I have ever been. Once again, I didn't take many pictures since I did last time I went, but I loved it just as much the second time. On our walks around the ponds, we saw alligators. Lots and lots of alligators.

Really big alligators.

Asher was beyond thrilled with our discoveries.

After our tour of the plantation we got back in the car and headed out for home. It was a short but fun trip.

another great birthday

Asher turned the big 3 yesterday! I can't believe how big he is. He is the best boy who loves life and is so enthusiastic and happy about everything. My parents flew in for his birthday. We took a trip to Charleston last weekend (another post to follow) and then came back for a Go Diego Go party. It should be noted that he really wanted a Dora cake but I thought in a few years he would thank me for having both Dora and Diego on the cake.

Here are some pics from the big day!

the birthday boy on his big day

 The room all decorated (thanks to Mallory for doing the banners, invitations and subway art.)

 The take home "rescue paks"

The "Dora & Diego" cake. 

We had a seriously hard time getting these pictures. He was refusing to look at the camera. And this morning I realized I never got the birthday boy with his grandparents. I'm sad about that. I'm the worst at taking pictures.

Gift mania. Helped out by his best buddy Ande. Thanks Haynie family for coming to the party!

Little brother had a fun time too! Have I mentioned he is walking? He is so adorable I just can't get over it.

Making a wish!

Enjoying cake with Ande!

It was another great birthday. We had a great time! Now daddy just has to put together his bike so we can take it for a test ride!

 It's a bit crazy with all of my boys having their birthdays within 5 weeks of each other so I have got to start planning Beckham's first birthday asap!

getting ready for the beach

It has been like summer here (82 degrees right now) so we thought we would practice getting ready for the beach this summer.

Now we are all ready for our trip to Charleston this weekend and some fun walks on the beach. We are picking my parents up from the airport in a couple of hours and we are all very excited. Asher keeps walking around the house saying "We're going to the beach with 'big guy Larry' (that is what he has taken to calling my dad)"

Quinn's Birthday

Yesterday Quinn celebrated his 31st birthday. I hope it was a fun day for him because the kids and I had fun trying to make it special for him.

We woke up and started making the cake. Did some chores around the house then headed out for some last minute birthday shopping. Then we swung by the office to see if he could join us for lunch. We had a quick lunch at Taco Bell. We dropped Quinn back at work and finished up our errands.

Once home Asher helped me decorate the house. He was a huge "help" putting up the streamers.  Then we got busy on the requested dinner of enchiladas. I burned the rice, but besides that dinner turned out pretty good.

Once Quinn got home, we ate dinner, opened gifts, sang Happy Birthday and then had cake.

We put the kids to bed and Quinn and I settled down for an episode of The Walking Dead.

Here are some pictures from the festivities.

 Asher is modeling in front of Quinn's gifts. We got him a mini fridge for his office and stocked it with drinks and other favorites.

 Quinn let Asher help him open all his gifts.

 It took me forever to light all those candles, but it was worth it.

Happy Birthday Quinn!

we are sick

Last week Quinn spent in Warsaw, Poland for work. He had a fantastic time and made me extremely jealous that I wasn't able to go with him. Luckily, my mother-in-law was nice enough to come down and spend the week with the kids and me. We had a great time shopping, going to the park, eating out and playing with the kids. It really helped the week fly by.

Last Friday, Beckham started to get sick. He ran a fever until Tuesday night. Sunday it was Asher's turn. He ran a fever until last night. My turn started on Tuesday and I'm still sick. It is the worst. Quinn has been able to stay in the morning for a couple of days to help me out but those hours when he is gone to the office are long and slow!! I'm hoping I follow trend with the boys and this is over by Saturday.

In way more exciting news, my sister-in-law Cara gave birth to a leap day baby yesterday! So excited for my new niece Penelope Jane Boxer. I can't wait to meet her. We are trying to find an excuse to go up to Virginia soon!