Vacation in Pictures Part 2

Phone Pictures

Vacation in Pictures Part 1

We recently joined John's family at the beach.  It was glorious!!! I was able to go down several days early with the girls and then John joined us for Memorial day weekend + the following week.  I say it over and over, but time away is so good for our family and for our marriage.  John works very hard and I am very grateful for that, but there are only a couple times a year he is really able to unplug from work.  This trip was one of them.  No work laptop and no work email for 8 days! I realize is it not reality, but it is so so good to have trips and times like this when we can.

More pics to come from my phone in the next post!

Happy Birthday BB&G!

This weekend we went to see the triplets for their 1st birthday! 

Annie's first flight and she was a champ.

Thank goodness for the ipad and Curious George.

I can hardly believe it has been a whole year since these little ones were born!

We surprised my brother Friday afternoon when all 4 of us came running up the stairs arriving for the weekend.  He is a hard one to surprise, but I think we pulled it off pretty well!

The party was precious.  Linsey and Christian did a great job decorating and hosting everyone.  Several of the triplets' nurses from the NICU came to the party too.  It was so wonderful to see some of them again (not in the hospital) and meet the others.  

Gracie

Bates

Brooklyn

C loved the party too.  She especially enjoyed "helping" Gracie with her smash cake.

Mimi and her grandbabies.  

What a blessing it was to celebrate these three lives last weekend and the incredible journey the Lord has carried them through already.    

Summers End

I feel like I can officially jump into fall mode now.  October is here, the weather is a bit cooler, and we just returned from our last beach trip until next spring/summer.  This is my favorite time of year to be at the beach.  

If we are not on the sandy, white gulf beaches, this is another favorite spot for us.  This trip we were with 3 other couples.   We went to an annual fundraiser/silent auction last December for this amazing school.  One thing we walked away with was a trip for 5 nights at the beach split with these friends and all the money going towards the school.  It was a no brainer, win-win situation in my mind!  

So, off we went last week!  The house was perfect for our group.  Beach side, beautiful view, a huge lawn, and tons of charm and character.  The house was pretty old-school and I felt like I was at my grandparents house at times.   Straight out of another generation with colorful tiled bathrooms and all.    

We spent most of the day Friday at the resort pool.  Pretty rough, I know. 

We found a babysitter Friday night and headed out for drinks and to listen to the bagpiper play.  One of our favorite traditions here.  Then, off to a great dinner at Halyards.  

I am a morning person and I especially love mornings at the beach.  I love the peaceful, quiet, alone time before the day begins.  I woke up each day to watch the sunrise off our porch.  

Saturday, we went to a new (to us) place for lunch.  Southern Soul BBQ.  Goodness, if you are ever in St. Simons, it is a must!  Probably the best BBQ I have ever had.  The sides were amazing as well! Caroline especially enjoyed the mac and cheese and her first taste of fried okra. 

Oh, and stickers while we waited on the food.  

We filled the rest of our time with bocce on the beach, 

a little "redneck" blow up pool in the backyard, watching football, walks on the beach, and good conversations.

Everyone left Sunday, but we decided to stay an extra night.  

I asked Caroline to smile at me.  Can you say sassy?

It was great to have some time for just the 3 of us to be together.  

We are always grateful for times away from busy schedules at home and to just be intentional with each other, with friends and have no agenda.  It is something we need regularly in our lives.  It is good for us personally and as a family.