Myrtle Beach ~ Day 5

So we all know that even on vacation things can't go 100% smoothly, right?  You are off routine: staying up too late, not working out, sleeping in, eating differently, walking a ton, sweating a lot, contending with sand, and dealing with the heat.  The night before, upon arriving home we hit a few "hardships." From about 10:30 pm to 11:30 pm things were a little stressful. 1. I realized that I lost the key to the condo.  It wasn't in my purse.  It wasn't on our key ring.  It wasn't in my van.  We searched and searched and searched.  The dogs could see us, below, in the parking lot, from our BIG window and were barking like crazy, so that was stressing us out because of the people below us and above us.  I walked the condo, with my cell phone's flashlight thinking that I possibly dropped the key in the grass and NOTHING! So, my last resort was to go check an area, where I had taken photos of the kids, before leaving to go out for the night and BAM!!! I found it on the FIRST FLOOR, stair railing.  OH. MY. GOSH.  I cannot believe I found it.  Upon finding it, 2. Jax stubbed his toe so, so, so bad. Doesn't mamma always know best? I cannot tell you HOW MANY TIMES I have asked this kid to put shoes on.  He screamed liked he was being knifed to death, when it happened, but the next day, he was so brave.  He cut the hanging toenail off, on his own, with a regular pair of scissors.  This child is still going outside barefoot.  I could just scream sometimes.  3. After getting Jax situated, Ty and I took the dogs on a walk and Sadie injured her trachea from chasing a cat.  She had been pulling me so hard, during walks, all week, from chasing squirrels AND while bathing her, she was on a long lead leash and didn't know it and ran FULL SPEED and when she got to the end of her leash she basically got yanked back, neck should have snapped, and she yelped so loud, I was afraid to see if she was alive.  The cat chase was just the icing on the cake.  4. OH... did I mention the night before my boys also got into a small "fist fight" boxing match at the restaurant?  Sigh... Can't win them all. SO ANYWAY, I got up this particular morning and took Sadie to the animal hospital.  No biggie.  Ty went with me and by the time I got home, the twins were just waking up. This is a #REALLIFE story people.  Don't pretend these things don't happen to you.

Here is a small video of the toenail because I know inquiring minds want more than just the above photo.  LOL!

I still managed to make a yummy breakfast!

Eggs, raspberries, and oatmeal smothered in peanut butter and bacon! Don't forget HOT java too.

The new day presented new graces/mercies and we were back to having fun, being nice, and keeping our shoes on, except of course when we went to the beach.  It was a scorcher of a day! It was 101 degrees, but truly felt far hotter than that.  

We enjoyed the beach as a family.  We all swam, Jax buried my feet, Lilah sported her new shirt...

Eventually, the twins and I went back to the condo while the boys went fishing. Can you believe my 1st born caught a baby shark ALL.BY.HIMSELF????? AND I wasn't there to see it.  #sosomad BUT #sosohappy FOR HIM!

The twins and I did meet the "boys" at the pier later, but it was just so stinking hot, we didn't stay long.  We were basically their drive home, so they didn't have to walk. We spent an hour or two just rejuvenating from the sun.  My princess and I sat on the deck.  She entertained Arcadian Dunes patrons and I tried to get some of it on video without her knowledge.  You can't put much past her, hmph!

We always dress up and go out to eat at night.  If you are cooking on vacation than it just doesn't feel like vacation!!! This night we drove to the Market Commons.  LOVE.THAT.PLACE.  It's a quaint, upscale shopping center filled with a gorgeous scenery. I seized the opportunity to take some photos of the kids. They were really getting tired of me the photographer's need for so many photos.  

On the way there, the twins PASSED out! Vacation life is ROUGH!

But I am so glad I forced them to say cheese because I LOVE how these shots turned out (minus Jaxey's hair.  Sigh... I didn't use enough hair gel and the humidity was causing it to stick up).  He's still so dang handsome as ever though.

My love and I actually snuck in a photo or two, FINALLY!

We ate at Gordon Biersch Brewery.  It was absolutely delicious.  It's definite MUST TRY if you haven't been.  I had lobster tacos.  YUM!

Oversized chess anyone?  Haha.  Jax actually beat Ty!

More late night swimming. For some reason, I don't recall swimming this night, but this video was posted in the order that it was in on my cell phone, so I guess it's possible that we came home and let the swim this late again.  I'm thinking some how, this video got out of order and belongs on the previous day.  Either way, enjoy!

A Surprise Reunion At The Great Wolf Lodge!!!

A few days ago, Carlene, my stepmom, mentioned that she was taking my sisters to the Great Wolf Lodge.  She found an amazing groupon for a one night's stay there.  I knew the room she was staying in slept 6, so I kinda invited myself and 2/3 kids, and she was extremely obliging . It had been exactly ONE year since our last visit with the kids. The last visit was for Ty's birthday and it just so happened that the day she had the Great Wolf Lodge reserved was on Ty's birthday, as well as, Mother's Day.  

Being the room only slept 6, I had to leave one child behind.  That was TOTALLY torture to do and felt extremely wrong, but being Jax had just gone for his birthday, and knowing that he loves his bff Cohen, it was the only option. Jax was perfectly content and Cohen had been begging for a sleep over with Jax.    

We arrived to the Great Wolf Lodge safely (praise you Jesus). Both Tyson and Lilah just thought I was treating them to an overnight stay... just the three of us.

As we approached our hotel room, I told Ty to knock on the door. He said, "I don't think this is our room mom? I hear people in there!" He was right... our other halves opened the door and both parties (kids) were shocked when they spotted each other, on the other side of the door. Check out Salene's face. Hysterical.

Salene and Saleece (my sisters) also had NO idea we were coming.  The hugs, smiles, and laughter began immediately after the shock subsided.

We quickly changed and began our reunion with some outdoor swimming fun and birthday cookie eating. I pre-ordered a LARGE sugar cookie, from our local cookie store, and brought it to the lodge with us.  

 My daughter and my sister!

#itstheonlytimeyourauntisyoungerthanyou

(Below) These two are also so much a like.  Little pests, bullies, sneaky and sly. Simply put, just up to no good!

Salene and Ty were either laughing or annoyed with each other but it was ONLY because they are used to being the bully, not being bullied. Neither one of them was "winning" consistently or enough.

 A bunch of crazies!!

 Water slide fun!!

 This shot makes me feel like they've been flushed down a gigantic toilet bowl!!

 YES! I actually participated.  LOL!

 The fun wasn't over after the water park closed.  

They "Built-A-Wolf".

 Listened to a story... in their swim suites.  You are supposed to be in your pjs.  LOL!

 Got tattoos!

 Visited with Wiley the Wolf!

 Had a silly string fight!

 Posed for photos! Our little model wannabes!

 Colored themselves a souvenir.

 Hugged, loved, smiled, and made tons of memories!

 Face paintings!

 My mean sweet wolf!

 Played in the arcade!

And then of course ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END! We said our final goodbyes. Those are always hard because we NEVER know when the next time will be, especially now that the girls start year round school in July!

My husband was not keen on the idea of the three of us going.  Tyson had a baseball game Monday night and Darren was terrified we would get into an accident, get delayed, or get a flat tire. I promised him NOTHING would stop me from getting Tyson to his baseball game.  Good thing Carlene didn't make that promise because she was the one who ended up with a flat tire.  :( Stinky way to end a fantastic trip.

Just when I thought I was in the clear... my gas light game on and I could NOT find a gas station for the life of me. I said a TON of prayers (in the two minutes I had left before stalling) and God planted a gas station right in the nick of time.  #1mileleft EEEEKKKK!

Carlene, thank you so much for sharing your groupon with us! It was a much needed trip and a huge blessing to see all of you!!!!  WE WILL NOT WAIT another year for this to happen.

To view all of the photos/details, double click on the photo album below!!