Back in August, before school started, Fort Lewis Elementary School had a fundraiser. This was the FIRST time that this fundraiser was offered.
We are always looking for a positive, fun, and unique way to be a family, so we jumped on this opportunity. Plus, we ploy ourselves on being or try to be, a "fit family", so this was a good way to exercise. Our entry fees included the t-shirt, a headband, tattoos, and a packet of neon color dye.
On the count of three... everyone released their color packets into the air.
This wasn't like the professional color run, so it was a little disappointing, but we still had a great time. I think the REAL color run is REAL paint.
Lilah and I finished FIRST, but NOT because we beat the boys. We had the option to do 1.5 miles OR 3.2 miles. We chose to do the 1.5 miles. It was REALLLLLY hot (as you can see from Lilah's face) and I felt it was for our safety.
You can see how hot and sweaty and colorful we were after finishing the race.
I was the MOST proud of Jax. He really did amazing. No complaining and kept up with his daddy and big brother.
I love these types of family unity events. These are the days we will never forget. AND... we helped our children's school in the process.
This was GREAT practice for the real deal. So... I hope to find out when the color run will be in our area.
It had been several years since I had seen my mom. Life simply just got in the way, everyone's schedules conflicted, limited communication, a misunderstanding, a small argument, pain, and stubbornness...it all kept us apart. My heart was aching and I was unable to keep the silence going. I would think about my mom daily, as I mothered my own children. I just wanted our relationship to get back on track. I reached out to my mom through a text. I'm glad we both live by our faith and desire to always forgive, just like our Savior Christ forgave us. We purchased a plane ticket, as a birthday gift, for my mom to come visit. She arrived on her actually birthday, October 16th.
My kids were beyond excited. The morning of the evening that my mom was going to arrive, Lilah exclaimed, "I wish Gram was arriving now, not at the night time!" After school, on Friday, the kids were excited to make Gram a "Welcome" or "Birthday" sign.
They did such a good job and worked so hard on it. Ty got caught up on a Prison Break episode and missed the boat on helping.
We prepared for Grams visit and birthday in many ways: first, I purchased cupcakes from Bubblecake! Yum!
Decorating!
And gifts....
A welcome basket filled with goodies and left on "her" Lilah's bed.
After we were prepared for her arrival, off to the airport we went.
Jax waited, at the airport terminal, for Gram, with the sign in his hand. Wrong way Jaxey!!! But it sure did make for a great photo.
There you go! Much better.
Gram arrived. We chuckled because she was one of the last ones to get off the plane...no surprise to us. Haha.
Of course I had to capture it on video.
Finally, reunited after three years.
We took Gram to Longhorn Steakhouse and the restaurant gave her a FREE birthday dessert. We wouldn't let her eat it though. She hates to waste food, so she brought it home.
After dinner we came home to celebrate the Birthday girl!!!
We let the self-timer capture a few group photos.
A goofy shot.
Present time!
We bought her new jammies.
A new purse.
A new devotional!
And two Alex and Ani bracelets. We bought her the cupcake and the mom charm!
What's so funny!
Oh, Gram was showing off her birthday undies. Hehe.
Ty was laughing so hard!
Gram is always finding ways, intentionally and unintentionally, to make us laugh.
Time to sing Happy Birthday and eat some yummy treats.
Making wishes!!!!!!!
I think it's safe to say GRAM had a fabulous 56th birthday! We love you MOM! Hoping you have 56+ more birthdays to go!!!!!
It's always a much anticipated and appreciated gift to travel to Myrtle Beach, especially the FIRST trip of the season. The kids are becoming more and more aware this blessing too. This trip, the twins asked about other friends and what their beach condos looked like. "Do all of our friends have beach condos?", they asked. I think it's cute that they are starting to realize that having your own beach condo may not be the norm and it is a perfect opportunity to teach them to not take it for granted and to show gratitude to a hardworking grandad and daddy. We are very thankful.
We decided to make our first trip, to Myrtle Beach, during Spring Break. We left Tuesday night around 5:30 pm and got there around 11:30 pm. We stopped for about 45 minutes to eat dinner. So it took us about 5 hours and 15 minutes to ge there. The kids fell asleep on the last 30 minutes of the drive and got a second wind, helping us unload and unpack. They are so helpful at the beach because they are just so excited about everything.
The next morning, we headed out to the beach. The weather was beautiful, but the water was pretty cold. I could barely even put my feet in the water. Of course, our kids didn't seem to notice. They enjoyed it all, but especially loved playing in the sand. Their biggest highlight was when Darren would cover/burry them with sand up to their necks.
We threatened to keep them there most of the day while Darren and I sunbathed. I know they didn't believe us, but I think the wheels were turning at the thought of "What if they really do?!?!"
It wasn't long before they popped right out of the heap of sand, covering their bodies.
I also joked on instagram, when I posted the below photo, saying, "Ty doesn't know this yet, but they plan to burry him alive!"
During this trip, we had a 6th family member join us... "Sadie girl". She traveled excellently. We only allowed her to use the potty the ONE time we stopped, to pick up dinner. Traveling to Myrtle Beach, with 3 kids and an over grown puppy, was definitely proof that our mini van is so helpful. Getting another Rhodesian Ridgeback may NOT be a possibility after seeing how crowded our van became with just one. The way home was a little more challenging because we went shopping, so we had more things to bring home. Everyone was a little scrunched. We will just have to use our "white and nerdy" hard shell, turtle, cargo carrier next time.
Sadie loved being on the beach. I wish we could have released her to roam free, but I was terrified we'd never catch her. We did buy a leash that goes into the sand and then gives her a 60' foot extension. She mostly just enjoyed sitting with us and feeling like a part of our family. I was really excited that the beach rules, up until May, allowed her to be with us, on the beach, anytime of the day. After May, the rules change, which stinks.
The first night we usually always go to our favorite dinner joint, "California Pizza Kitchen and Games". The kids are used to this tradition and I LOVE that we have created that tradition, but this time, we chose to meet up with a few of our Church friends (Belchers and Cannons) at Señor Frogs. Then we walked around Broadway At The Beach with them. We rarely get to see anyone at the beach that we know, so that was fun, and the kids didn't even complain about NOT being able to go to their favorite Myrtle Beach dinner spot. Below, is a photo of the kids funny balloon hats. Actually, even the adults got them.
The beach always provides great opportunities to rest peacefully. Lilah was BEAT between a very late night bedtime, the night before, and a day at the beach. She took a short nap (accidentally) before heading out to dinner. Doesn't she look so peaceful?
The second night, we did take the kids to the Ultimate California Pizza Kitchen and Games, after a short trip to Tanger Outlets. Darren and I were excited to get a little shopping in. At the California Pizza Kitchen, we always give the kids $25 each (Darren included). The money lasts about one hour. It's fun watching them run from game to game, swiping their game cards, wining tickets, in hopes of getting some big prizes at the end. We won over 5,000 tickets this time. That was the most tickets we've ever accumulated. When we were through, we came home and took the kids (Sadie included) on a loooong, night walk, on the beach.
Ty carved Jesus' name in the sand. I am so glad that our children do have Him on their minds often.
My handsome, almost, 10 year old.
Jaxey Jo!
Liley Bo!
Sadie Girl!
And just so you know I was actually there...Darren and I!
Selfies. They never turn out good! But I was happy to be a part of the family photo album.
Day #2, we did the pool. Day #3, we went back to the beach!
This was my typical position/spot. Sit back, relax, and snap away!
Look who joined us again?!?!
These next four pictures bless my heart. I am glad that we finally selflessly gave in and got a family pup!
OH MY GOODNESS! I can't wait to frame this one.
You can tell both Liley and Sadie are happy to be at the beach!
The beach wasn't crowded at all and the weather was seriously perfect.
The view from our seats.
Loads of digging took place.
Happy Girl!
On night 3, we took the kids to "Dickey's". It's a restaurant we used to have locally and man do I wish we still had it. It's sooooo delicious. THEN, the kids were able to enjoy their first experience at "Ride Makerz". Grandad and Grandae, as well as Darren and I, chipped in, and they each received their own remote control car. I will do a seperate post on that experience. (Below) I always take pictures in this one spot, near our condo. It really does makes for some great group shots.
Can you take this? Haha. Ty desperately needed a haircut, but it's still such a fantastic photo.
It's hard to believe this kid is almost 10.
What will we do with her? Haha. #shescaresme
My handsome little guido!
Her favorite hand sign for photos.
On Day #4, we switched things up a little. Darren, Ty, and Jax took Sadie on a LONG walk, while I got ready. We went to a yummy Mexican lunch, then we headed back to the condo. Darren allowed me to go to the Tanger Outlets without everyone. I shopped for about 3 hours, while Darren let the kids swim their little hearts out. I was very thankful he allowed me to do this because the Tanger Outlets is a great place to shop. The last night is always the saddest. We have to worry about packing up and cleaning the condo. We normally save it for the morning of our departure, but Ty had baseball practice, so we made certain to leave Myrtle Beach by 8:00 am to get him there on time. Darren wants Ty to be a leader and show that he is responsible. I'm glad he is instilling those values in him.
We still had a great last night. We didn't get home until 10 pm. Our tradition, on the last night, at Myrtle Beach, is USUALLY to eat at Villa Romanas. This restaurant is phenomenal. Everything about it. It's the real deal Italian food. The service is stupendous. And the entertainment is something we can't wait to encounter. We have grown accustom to the accordion player being there. He is so funny and can pretty much play anything you request. He makes a point in visiting each table. The food is so good, my children actually tried soup and salad and ate every last drop of their meal.
You can see a small clip of the accordion player below. We requested him to play the song "Amazing Grace"
Well, that pretty much concludes our Spring Break trip to Myrtle Beach. The car ride home was very adventurous in that we had so much more stuff to bring home and a tad too many car riders. I am thankful the Lord blessed our travels there and back and that our only hurdle was the space/room in our van. We will take it!!
OH, and Darren NEVER lets us go off the beaten path, on the way home. He is usually anxious to get home so he can unload the car and mow the lawn. BUT... he had been craving Biscuitville since our trip to Greensboro a few weeks ago. So, he stopped and finally got himself a biscuit. The rest of the car declined! I hope you enjoyed reading about our trip.
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