We drove from Oak Island, NC to Fripp Island, SC on Saturday. It was a perfect day for the drive and on the way we stopped in Charleston, SC. Charleston is beautiful but was very crowded on a Saturday; so we drove to North Charleston where Boeing has a site. (hopeful home one day!) We ate at a little bbq place and had delicious scones for dessert. It was a great break in the drive; and after checking the map (ahem...Apple maps works best if you plug in the zip code along with the street name - you know, in case another island has the same address...ahem) We thought we only had 1-1/2 hours left to drive and about 1 hour in realized that I didn't type the right address - see missing zip code note above - and were en route to a different island...thankfully the kids were happy and I have a loving husband who laughed it off. Eventually we came to our destination and were awed by the island.
Fripp Island is a small island that asks all residents and guests to drive golf carts around the island - a fantastic way to travel, especially with children! There were beach access points, swimming pools, deer who got incredibly close, and alligators - yes, alligators.
We stayed in a large home with my mom and dad and my sister and her family. I don't know that the kids have ever been so excited for a week long sleepover as much as they were that week! It made them so incredibly happy to be able to all be under one roof, eat meals together, play all day long together, play games at night, and stay up late. It was a summer dream come true for them...and us!
We spent a lot of time at the beach and the pools, searching for sea shells and sitting in awe at nature's beauty. There are a lot of beaches so it was great to see what each one had to offer - everything from a sandbar where you could walk very far out and appear to be walking on water (and see awesome sea life) to marshy beaches where you could hear the gentle music of the reeds play against the music of the sea. It was beautiful.
This is the first time in a long time that my family has vacationed together and it was so relaxing and great. There was enough room to have a little space but enough closeness to feel the family bonds.
I feel so blessed to have so much love surround our family - from both sides of our families. We have taken vacations alone as a family of five and with extended family. We both agree that the vacations with extended families are more soothing for the soul and leave us with so many great memories. We know to take time for our little family but are grateful for the alone time Brian and I get on vacation as well. The kids get to spend quality time with grandparents, aunts, and uncles, and cousins and we get one-on-one time. I know that we are lucky to have extended families who 1)like to vacation with us and 2)we like to vacation with; and for that we are so thankful.
This was our first vacation in a long time; and Williams first time to the beach. It has left us with so many lasting memories that surpass the photos we were able to capture. Thank you Grandma, Grandpa, Mimi, and Papa. Thank you Haley, L, Kiley, Spencer, and Ashton...we can't wait for another vacation!
No comments:
Post a Comment