If you hadn't gathered already, we took a relaxing vacation to Myrtle Beach last week. It was faaantastic and just what we all needed to regroup, relax, rejuvenate, and really soak up each other's presence! We had a great time! Eric & I contemplated whether or not to take Ava along--you know, the typical first time parent worries started to kick in--Would she scream the entire 11 hour drive there? Would she hate the beach? Would she be up all night long? Would we end up wishing we all would've just stayed home? Basically, would it end up being the trip of our worst nightmares? We were so pleasantly pleased. She was an angel! Of course she had inevitable occasional melt downs, but she did better on this trip than we could've ever hoped for!! We are all re-energized and ready to start the busy fall season!
We stayed at Eric's Aunt's timeshare in North Myrtle Beach. It was rather roomy for the 3 of us! There were 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and 2 kitchens, as well as the general living areas. It was actually 2 individual condos with an adjoining door that we opened so we had two different condos to live in for the week. It was oceanfront, so Eric & I enjoyed the balcony a lot--not so much the nats though!
It was interesting brainstorming ideas for activities, other than the beach, that we could do with a 10 month old. She goes along with just about anything though so we came up with a few fun things! We went shopping at the outlets one day, spent one full day on the beach (plenty of breaks in there--it was a HOT day and we could only handle so much sand in one babies mouth), visited Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, walked through Brookgreen Gardens, did more shopping and walking around at Barefoot Landing, and spent lots of time playing with Ava, eating, and enjoying each other's company!! Ava actually started sleeping all night again, too! Wow--talk about a vacation! =) Eric and I took turns soaking up the sun and surf on the beach while Ava took her naps. It was interesting ... we had walkie-talkies. We ought to bring along our babysitter next year...or maybe grandma & grandpa!! :)
We had so much fun! We are so thankful that we were able to take this vacation and leave work and other worries behind. We made so many precious memories on our first family vacation... many more to come!
Lots and lots of pictures ahead!! I took 220 ... but you'll only preview a fraction of those! :) These are in reverse order ... and small because there's a bunch!
We stayed at Eric's Aunt's timeshare in North Myrtle Beach. It was rather roomy for the 3 of us! There were 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and 2 kitchens, as well as the general living areas. It was actually 2 individual condos with an adjoining door that we opened so we had two different condos to live in for the week. It was oceanfront, so Eric & I enjoyed the balcony a lot--not so much the nats though!
It was interesting brainstorming ideas for activities, other than the beach, that we could do with a 10 month old. She goes along with just about anything though so we came up with a few fun things! We went shopping at the outlets one day, spent one full day on the beach (plenty of breaks in there--it was a HOT day and we could only handle so much sand in one babies mouth), visited Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, walked through Brookgreen Gardens, did more shopping and walking around at Barefoot Landing, and spent lots of time playing with Ava, eating, and enjoying each other's company!! Ava actually started sleeping all night again, too! Wow--talk about a vacation! =) Eric and I took turns soaking up the sun and surf on the beach while Ava took her naps. It was interesting ... we had walkie-talkies. We ought to bring along our babysitter next year...or maybe grandma & grandpa!! :)
We had so much fun! We are so thankful that we were able to take this vacation and leave work and other worries behind. We made so many precious memories on our first family vacation... many more to come!
Lots and lots of pictures ahead!! I took 220 ... but you'll only preview a fraction of those! :) These are in reverse order ... and small because there's a bunch!
Ava with her FAVORITE blankie and doggy Rufus-- he sings, she dances :)
At Brookgreen Gardens ... she loved the animals there of course!
Eric walking under the teepee in the kiddos play area of the garden ...
Brookgreen is like 6,000 acres (maybe 600? I can't remember-- A LOT) of garden grounds, sculptures, a zoo, and walking paths. This was my favorite sculpture- The Joys of Motherhood.
Mommy, baby, and big bear.
Live Oak Allee--Love these oak trees!!
Brookgreen Gardens
On one of our evening beach walks ...
One of the MANY ways to entertain a 10 month old in the car after several hours ...
She tried to put them on herself -- not quite!
Daddy and Ava in the Battleship
Battleship NORTH CAROLINA
Tigers exhibit at Barefoot Landing
He fits in perfectly, huh?
High five for Dad!!
Took her a couple minutes to warm up to the ocean ... but then she loved it!!
My baby on the beach :)
Our only family photo from the beach. A nice lady asked if I would like all 3 of us in the picture. :)
Ridin' the waves!! His favorite part of the beach ...
Kisses for Daddy ...
Baby toes in the sand ...
Ooww, that water is chilly at first!
I'm ready for the beach Mom!
Classic relaxing ...
Ava's room :) No, we didn't sleep in that big queen size bed ... our room was down the hall!
Eating some french toast ... Yum!
We had a big breakfast every morning -- my favorite! :)
Dropping Portia off with Eric's mom on the way to the beach!
