More pics from Hilton Head

Here are some more pics from our beach trip. It's hard to resist taking lots of photos of the kids at the beach.

SPEEDO MAN!

The girls couldn't believe that I put Whit in this "WIENIE BIKINI"! It is really just a diaper cover and the crab on the bum is very cute but they thought it resembled a Speedo too much. Whit didn't seem to care one way or another about the fashion statement he was or was not making.

Hilton Head

Yes, we survived our trek to HH. It was hot but not too hot on the beach. Our condo was a bit dated and came with plenty of friendly 6 legged creatures. We would wake up each morning to find several dead ones on the floor. By the last day Brett was fed up with the bugs and proclaimed, "This isn't a condo, it's a roach house!". Of course down here we don't have "roaches" we have "palmetto bugs"- sounds nicer but they are still gross! Anyway, we did have fun but I had enough of the sand and sunscreen and was glad to come home to my clean house! Whit loved the ocean and unfortunately was not the least bit afraid the waves. He just walked right out in to the Atlantic and was unphased by the waves hitting him in the face and knocking him over. He also loved digging, laying in and eating as much sand as he could shovel into his mouth. He also found the seashells to be quite tasty. The big kids enjoyed bogie boarding and swimming in the tidal pools and building in the sand. Overall, it was enjoyable and thankfully Whit was cooperative and slept in his pack-n-play so Mom was able to get some sleep, too.

Advanced Naughty: Prerequisite is Naughty 101

Crayon masterpiece on the wall

Feeding dog unwanted food: makes dog happy but mom mad

Unroll the toilet paper in 3 seconds flat

Vacation Bible School

This week was VBS at Gram and Grandpa's church. Carson, Reese, Hadley and Brett went and had fun- for the most part. Brett tried to get out of it everyday but Kevin convinced him to stay with the reward of a new action figure if he stayed. He managed to make it through and got his "prize" at the end of the week. The girls liked it made lots of "lovely" crafts.

Hammock

Relaxing in the hammock

I hope the hammock can hold all this weight!

Reese and Hadley this close- a dangerous situation for sure!

We got a new hammock for the back yard. The kids have been asking for one because they like the one at our neighbors house. Luckily, we have a nice shady spot in the back where it sits nicely. So far no one has flipped out of it!

Car Wash

My car was filthy after a few days at the beach so Brett, Hadley and Whit "helped" me give it a bath. We only did the outside- I just didn't have the energy to clean out the inside which is home to many crumbs, wrappers, lollipop sticks, melting crayons, shoes, toys and a host of other misc. stuff. I'll tackle that another day when it is a little cooler.

Welcome to the Jungle-literally!

We went to the zoo for a quick visit last week. It was really hot so we went early and only stayed for a couple of hours but it got us out of the house for awhile. The girls had not been to the zoo for quite some time because they are usually in school when I take the little guys. We saw the new baby giraffe-"Louis" and he was very cute. We were there on a Tuesday and we found out in the news that one of the gorillas escaped later that week. I am glad he didn't decide to make a break for it while we were there!

Jumping in the sand

Brett's attempt to jump

Hadley being Hadley

The girls "SUPER" jump

Hadley getting some good air

Here are some great pics of the kids jumping off the sand dunes at Edisto.

Mush Mud

Before the mud

After the mud..."Isn't She Lovely"


Edisto has some very good "mud" that the kids LOVE to play in. They get super gross but they they have fun in the process and can easily wash off in the ocean.

Edisto

Brett & Hadley swimming

Family Photo

On the beach

Golf cart rides
"Brownie"

Gram and Grandpa Markland had their beach house so Kevin took the "big" kids for a quick overnight visit. Mom stayed home with Whit and Parker since we didn't have anyone to take care of the dog. The kids always have fun riding the golf cart and playing on the beach. An added bonus this time was the appearance of a stray dog coined "Brownie" for the week. She was a sweet, friendly dog and the girls tried to convince Poppy to bring her home but no luck. They did find someone who is going to look after her and try to find her a home.

School's Out For Summer!!!!

Last day of 1st grade

Last day of 3rd grade

Last day of 5th grade

Last day of 8th grade

Yes, school is out for another year. Now we have 10 weeks to hang out together and get on each others nerves. I need to get out my referee shirt and my whistle because the bickering has already begun! Actually, I enjoy having the kids around more and not having to run around to all of our school year activities but I am sure by the end of August we will all be ready to get back to school! HAPPY SUMMER!

Carson's Kindergarten Photo

Kindergarten

OK, for some reason I could not put more than 5 photos on my last post so here is Carson's Kindergarten picture.

Carson's Elementary School photos

First Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

Here are Carson's lovely school photos through her elementary school years. Now it is off to middle school!

Blink of an Eye

Griffin then- 6th Grade (still a baby face!)
Griffin NOW! 8th Grade- Tennis and last day of school photo

In the blink of an eye my children are growing up! Please make them stop! I can't believe that Griffin is starting high school and Carson is starting middle school in the Fall. Not only are they growing up but I am growing OLD! They just don't stay little long enough. I can't believe the change in Griffin from the start of middle school to the end of middle school. He still looked like a little boy in 6th grade and now he definitely looks like a young man.

5th Grade "Graduation"

The last photo of Carson, Reese and Hadley at school together

Pop, Carson and Mom at the 5th Grade Graduation

Mom and Carson
Carson's 5th Grade Graduation 

It is official- Carson's elementary school years are now behind her (boo-hoo). She will be moving on to middle school in the fall. I can't believe it! In the blink of an eye she has become a "big" girl. I know she will do great in middle school and beyond it just makes me a little sad that she is growing up so fast!