Bring it on, Fay!

Thursday: oh, how it rained! It rained and rained and then it rained some more. We did manage to get out to the Sea Shack for lunch one last time. Ella Kate loved that sea bass, can't you tell!

Friday: a brief moment of clarity! The skies were clear just long enough to let the dogs get one last romp on the beach. They really had a great time on this trip and we were so glad we got to take them with us. Every year we go to the beach and see other doggies we think how much Lacey and Abbey would like it. They took to the salt and waves as if it was no different than the TN river. It was more work, having them there, but it was worth it (to me, at least-- don't ask Chris, though!).

And then the rains returned. It was a good day for some shopping! First we checked out the HHI mall and then we went to the outlets. As if EK needs any more clothes..... Anyway, it wasn't a bad way to spend a rainy day at the beach. And, as Scott says, the rain does smell better at the beach :)

Monday was beautiful here in Hilton Head (pre Fay). Ella Kate had a great time in the pool splashing around and getting lots of attention :)

After a long day EK was zonked! She perked up, though, when her first taste of grouper came about! She loved it (loved the hush puppies, too!).

After dinner we headed to Harbour Town to hear Gregg Russell play. Ella Kate smiled and kinda clapped along. It will be so much fun to watch her grow with the kids under that old oak tree.

Tuesday was jammed packed, and I'm glad it was as the rain set in on Wednesday and lasted the rest of the week. We started the morning with a walk on the beach (you may see that shot again for our Christmas card!).

Ella Kate loved the beach and had a great time playing in the sand and surf. She wasn't a bit scared of the waves and liked the sand so much she tried to eat it!

For lunch we went to the Sea Shack which is the best hole in the wall local seafood restaurant you'll ever find. The line forms quickly, though, so you better get there early!

Later we took a bike ride down to Coligny Square.

On our nature ride Chris found a new friend (HA! He hates spiders) and just had to take a picture of it!

EK ended the day with a quick tune on the musical table. Thanks, Mancinis, for this fantastic toy!

Wednesday was the start of the monsoon. I've never been on a vacation before where it rained over half of the time. Guess that's what you get for coming to the beach at the start of hurricane season!

Chris' parents, Mimi and Pops, came to join us Wednesday evening. We went to Kenny B's for dinner. You've never had such good New Orleans/Low Country style food, and a big bonus is that they're huge UGA fans!!! Thanks, Amy-Chris, on that fantastic tip!!

After dinner we went back to Harbour Town to hear Gregg Russell again. EK was definitely getting sleepy, but we had a nice evening, anyway!

We made it to the beach!

On the road again!

First thing Friday morning we loaded down the Explorer with 2 adults (Chris and me), 1 baby (Ella Kate), 2 dogs (Lacey & Abbey) and all our stuff and headed for a multi stop trip down to our vacation at Hilton Head!

Stop one was in Candler, NC, to visit with Chris' Grandmother, Mary Rose, but I managed to leave our camera in the car for that one.

Stop two was in High Point, NC, to visit with my grandmother, Ella Kate's Gran Gran. We had supper at the fancy schmancy dining room at her retirement home. That place is like a resort! Golf course, pool, gym, beauty parlor, and 3 dining rooms-- one formal, one informal, and one "food court." What a way to spend your retirement!

Stop three was in Charlotte to stay with Lauran and Shane. Again, I forgot to take any pictures, but we are so lucky to have such wonderful friends who let us crash with our entire family at their house!! Thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Harmon!

Day two: we drove on down to Hilton Head and got settled in to our condo at Sea Pines. We made a quick trip to the beach and then headed out for dinner at the Salty Dog with Amy-Chris, who just happened to be in HHI for the weekend.

Day three: started with a beautiful run on the beach with the doggies (HHI is dog friendly so before 10am and after 5pm they can be leash free on the beach!). Then my older brother, Erik, and his 3 year old daughter, Savanna, came over so my Dad could see both of his granddaughters at the same time in the same place-- that was a first!

Family shot of Dad with two of his kids and his two granddaughters :)

Been a while.....

Oh, Kristine, how we will miss you! Kristine has been our wonderful, sweet, patient, doting nanny this summer. EK and Bree have enjoyed their time with Miss Kristine who has learned all about their little quirks. She's been so fantastic and spoiled us rotten. Too bad she has to complete her education! Pre-school will be a hard adjustment for us all.

Before a quick trip on the boat I went to get EK up from her nap and this is what I was greeted by! It's a really good thing we had lowered her crib mattress the day before. Now I gotta put that rail guard on the crib so she doesn't eat all the finish off!

Family day on the boat

Drink Responsibly!

The doggies got to enjoy the water, too! They also love to watch from above and lounge around in the sun :)

All dry and cuddly and slurping on some frozen pineapple. Lacey is a great baby sitter! She even lets EK grab at her paws. EK is fascinated by the wagging doggie tails-- they make her giggle, and it's so cute!

We has so much fun on the boat we decided to blow up her little pool. She really enjoys the water-- even bath time-- and had a great time splashing with Daddy.

Another shot after church with Pooh. She was so wiggly that day that this was the best shot of the whole bunch-- at least she wasn't sticking out her tongue!!

EK and Julianna on the left and then EK and Bree on the right-- notice a theme here? EK is totally pulling up and "standing" to play with her friends.

Just a few action shots of Ella Kate and Bree. Typical, EK is beating up on Bree, who is so patient with EK's antics!

My Mom and her good good friend from childhood, Louise, at the 23rd annual "Book Brunch."