Kiawah Island

This was last year's picture of Kiawah - welcome Ben! They've grown so much in a year.

We spent this past week at Kiawah Island. We had a great time and spent many hours relaxing. It was definitely a laid back true beach trip. The children were well behaved. Baxter's bees came out a few times but nothing too major. We spent lots of time in the pool, riding bikes, playing in the ocean and long walks. Thank goodness for this sweet girl above! A terrific babysitter and a girl with some patience! She was definitely ready for some "takeout" or McDonald's by the time we left. We cooked/prepared three meals a day at the house. Granted, we really enjoyed going to the grocery so it was fun to figure out what we could come up with next! However, Bethany was ready for some fast food yummies! Me too, actually!
This hot tub should read, "WHAT HAPPENS IN THE HOT TUB STAYS IN THE HOT TUB!" It saw it's share of these kiddos birthday suits! This little spa saved our life. I can't imagine how many hours they clocked in here - the dads too!

This monkey loved getting some pool time in with his big sis! An entire pack of swim diapers - GONE!

These two continued on their old married couple lifestyle! There were inseparable times and there were grumpy times! Mostly happy times though, until she wanted to touch JoJo the crab! The smell is still in my nose hairs!

This is my favorite picture of Ben. I don't think it's up to Stansberry photography standards but I like the way his hair is over to the side and the wispies are blowing in the wind and, of course, he's on my hip!

This was a great house and very practical for the kittens. However, I would have suggested baby gates at the bottom of the stairs as this one really liked climbing!

When restlessness occurred it was off on the trails. Thank goodness for our Clampett-style bike rack that made it to South Carolina! This stinker loved riding with Daddy on the Quest!

I was in charge of Big Waxy Lips! These pedals didn't work like the ones last summer. He pedaled all the way but no help to mama! We saw lots of alligators, deer and mostly mosquitoes! Our kids looked like they had a case of measles!

This beautiful girl rode her bike all by herself and enjoyed every minute of it. She did a great job with no complaining - all 20 miles it seemed like!

Bethany liked our biking outings. Her bike had a child carrier on the back so she stored the water/bugspray items! She wanted to use our baby doll but it's eyes were mending back at the house - long story!

Ben loved the sand. He didn't mind one bit that it was in his ears, eyes, nose, toes, fingernails, hair, did I mention ears, eyes, nose? A big difference from Lillee's first years at the beach!

Again, the world's best babysitter - EVER! However did she put up with us all week? Look closely and you'll see her precious find - JoJo! The smell is wafting through my house as we speak.

I love this picture of Ben. He had just woken up from an afternoon nap. Scott always says he looks like my dad when he first wakes up from a nap - a little grumpy looking and fuzzy headed! He is holding my favorite purchase on the trip!

Afternoon fun included two 4-year olds + two Droids = old couple!

Even Bethany needed a little quiet time on Facebook after the pool.

Here's the iPad waiting on it's next football game to be played or math facts to be solved. Scott was upstairs on the laptop doing some work. I just wanted to play UNO - no technology!

We did venture out to lunch one day. Imagine a table for 4 adults, 5 kids, 2 strollers, 1 highchair and a baby!

We had a really great time. It's nice to be with people similar to you and your family who share the same likes/dislikes/values as us. God has truly blessed us with wonderful friends for our children to grow up with and love. The beach has a way of showing us God's beauty and inspriring all of us to remember how awesome his works are.