Spring Break -- Day 5

Our FINAL day at the beach!!!

  It is about 75, windy and a bit hazy!

Yes, we are getting some GOOD sun!

Yes, I tend to wear this GOOFY hat -- but it protects me ;)

My Darling and I started the day with the umbrella over us!  It actually was a good protection from the wind!

The girls spent lots of time looking for unique shells!

The boys made an attempt with the boards in the waves.  The ocean is still a tad cool!

They had fun!

You may be wondering WHY MD wears a shirt, even in the water.

WELL ---

He is pretty burnt. He was NOT careful the first day.

LOVE JM's face --- he is having so much fun!

I LOVE capturing my children when they do NOT know it.  I love the naturalness of this -- 

They love making up games!

Stunning!

Of course, what is a day at the beach without trying to bury someone.  Today is My Darling's lucky day -- only from the waist down.

MD pulling her out!

The two girls do not like to get their 'fake' legs wet.  It makes them squeek.  SO -- I was able to snap a picture when they were both in HOLDING up their legs.  Needless to say the legs did not stay completely dry all of the time -- yes, even some sand was added ;)

Dad doesn't really get his picture taken too much BUT we caught him snitching some Twizzlers -- one of his favorites!

We decided to take a break from the sun and head down to strip do some shopping.  The best place with The Gay Dolphin.  It had about ANYTHING related to ocean located in this huge shop!  It would saved some time if we found this at the beginning of our trip!

Oh, and some candy from I LOVE SUGAR!

Matt, MD and I decided to take another walk to the beach.  We loved watching these guys in the water.  

It was also fun looking and finding some shark teeth.  Really -- just having time to relax and roam the beach has been unbelievable.  

A final picture of MD -- just watching the ocean.  

This place was so relaxing.

Thank-you, Lord for allowing us the resources to enjoy this time away!!  

Spring Break -- Day 4

Myrtle Beach -- Day 4

Today is going to be warm :)  sunny, 80 and a little breezy!!!

Oh, my -- I LOVE waking up to this view.  As soon as I wake-up I open the slider so I can HEAR those waves.  They are really such a balm to my soul!!! 

BaJabs said, "REALLY, mom -- crashing sounds are good for you???"

Me -- "Crashing?? The waves hitting water and the shoreline -- I don't know that sound is soothing to me. It reminds me of Gods power!"

BaJabs -- "ok -- "  Yes, she had this look like .... whatever you say, mom!

We started the morning with a visit from one of my childhood friends.  Her brother and sister-in-law came to SC to visit -- J & B live by my parents -- so, I get to see them weekly.  BUT since they wanted to come see Myrtle Beach with A.H. and her boys -- they stopped at our private beach to visit for a bit.

This was GREAT!!! A.H., my sister and I used to be at each others house EVERYDAY!!!  We had a path worn between our houses.  We played dolls, barbies, house, games and swam in the pool.  I remember being so bummed when they went on vacation because it would be soooo long before we would see her!  As we got older our interests and friends drifted apart BUT she is still special to me!

Thanks for making our beach one of your stops at Myrtle Beach!!!

While we were at the beach today we saw some BIG helicopters!!!

Yes, there is always helicopters touring people BUT these are different ;)  There were a couple times they were flying around.

The water seemed a bit cold and there are some kids with burns so they stayed covered.  They sat away from the ocean most of the time.  JM noticed some dolphins swimming close.  That was really cool to see.

After about an hour and half they all decided they were too hot and wanted to swim in the pool.  I was able to sit at the beach to READ and RELAX --- alone.  WOW!!!  That just doesn't happen much.  

After about another hour and half or two, MD came to check on me.  What a sweetie!  He said they had all eaten lunch and wanted to make sure I was ok with my blood sugar and all!!  Love the thoughtfulness of MD!!

Well, the whole CHEESECAKE ordeal!!!

I LOVE cheesecake -- and really love raspberry cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory.  

So, when I was looking at the resturants around the area we were staying and saw The Cheesecake Factory show-up -- I was so excited.  AND cheesecake was on my brain!

On Wednesday evening we went looking and when our GPS said we arrived there was nothing but a mall.  So, MD and I ran inside to check.  Nothing!!  We asked a mall worker and he said it had not arrived yet.  The mall was remodeling and there was one coming but it had not opened yet.  Hmmmm..... there was even reviews online -- that was weird.

BUT

NO WORRIES!!!

There was supposibly another one -- the other direction -- about 20 minutes away.

SO

After the beach, lunch and rest time -- Matt decided to take us all for a ride to find some cheesecake.

There was LOTS of traffic.  

BUT -- for mommy's cheesecake ---

Well, that was ok ;)

When the GPS said we arrived ......

I could not figure it out!

NOTHING --- AGAIN!!

Then MD says, 'Oh, my!! Mom......It is the CheeseSTEAK factory!'

I just started LAUGHING!!! and LAUGHING!!!!

Which my children could not figure out!

I was so desperate for cheesecake -- both Matt and I did not realize when we typed into seperate GPS searches that Cheesesteak Factory came up!

Well --- no cheesecake for me this vacation ;(

No, we did NOT go in.  There was only OLD people in the resturant.  AND we were not planning on going out to dinner -- just grabbing dessert.  

There was still LOTS of traffic on the way back -- we still were laughing about the cheesecake ordeal AND then dad found ANOTHER outlet mall.

So -- of course we stopped to do a little shopping ;)

We got home a bit late BUT still made some dinner -- 

WITH 

ice cream for dessert!

The kids finished the night watching some youtube!

Now -- for some of you -- internet usage is not a big deal 

BUT 

we do NOT have unlimited at home -- AND they are loving being able to have lots of usage here.

ME -- I like it BUT will be glad when it is NOT so readily available for them at home! 

They are watching some goofy song videos by Rhett and Link!

Thank-you Lord for LAUGHTER!!!

Spring Break -- Day 3

Myrtle Beach -- Day 3

Today is MUCH warmer than yesterday!!!  It is about 80 and very sunny!!!  Thankfully, there is a little breeze!

I did WARN all of my children to keep the sunscreen on -- I helped get it on at the condo BEFORE we went down -- ALTHOUGH some didn't want to -- hmmmm...MD!!!

Let's enjoy the BEACH!!!

Checking out how the water FEELS!

Ummmmm......Yes, this is our Elizabeth MOST of the time ;)

It took MD a bit to convince JM to go brave the water and enjoy the waves.  

JM is FREEZING!!!

LOVE this!!!  Look at JM's face when the wave 'gets' him!

MD just got ALL wet! 'WOW -- is that cold!'

There was some GREAT waves! 

The girlies watching those CRAZY boys!

Elizabeth just sits down to enjoy the water.  She did not expect those waves to GET her :)

Both girls are just sitting and enjoying the water 

AND

They get it!!

Dad was able to convince My Darling to try going out in the water ---

She did not really like it getting into her face -- 

So, after just a bit she decides to come back in.

What an AWESOME reaction on BaJabs!

'This is REALLY fun!!!'

Many who know us -- know this is a CLASSIC JM!

Well, My Darling wanted to REALLY try it, this time!

She got all wet this time --- She is laughing!

Coming in HAPPY this time BUT cold!

The girls enjoyed playing in the sand. 

Making a castle and deocrating with shells.

The boys and dad played frisbee.  They even met another young man on the beach who joined in on the fun.

The view TOWARDS the south -- you can see the boardwalk with ferris wheel -- it is about 2 miles away.

The view to the north -- our area was a private beach area.

The girls with their masterpiece!!

We had a WONDERFUL day at the beach!!!

UNFORTUNATELY, we have a few that got a bit burned -- MD got it the worst!

We decided to head in and get washed up and go do some outlet shopping!!

YAH!

PRAISE the LORD -- what a wonderful day!!!