Back to Reality

Here are some more pictures from the beach! They are from our last day in the ocean and on Friday night we went for a walk on the beach and took a bunch a pictures. It was a lot of fun!!

They were being silly!
Olivia took this one! (Mom and Dad had fun, too!!!)

Emma the ham!

Again, Emma hamming it up! I have pictures of her being more "normal", but they just aren't as fun, or as cute!

Whoa! That was a big one!

Let's go for a swim.

Quick, we'll help you jump over this wave!

So, what was your favorite part of the vacation?

Too bad I got this poor woman's backside, but, I love how much fun Olivia is having!

Oh, how I wish I was back at the beach this week! It's good to be home, and lubing up and cleaning up the sand mess everyday was getting kind of tiring, but there is something to be said for being able to sit on the beach and listen to the surf, people watch, and see your kids have a great time!!! It's been a busy week with VBS (family style). Emma has enjoyed painting and crafting. Olivia and Grace seemed shocked that mommy is somewhat crafty. Dan has been painting the garage floor. It looks awesome!!! Our neighbors probably don't appreciate all the items from the garage on the front porch, but in the end, it will all be worth it!

More Excitement from Hilton Head

We've had an exciting couple of days here on the island. We went to Harbor Town two nights in a row. The first night we heard Greg Russell, who has been singing under the same oak tree for 32 years, sing. What was really cool, is that I remember going to hear him sing when I was a little girl. The second night in Harbor Town, we climbed to the top of the light house and had a big dinner out at the Crazy Crab. Even Emma made it up and down the lighthouse all by herself without one complaint! We took a ride on a boat to look for dolphins, which was a huge success! Acutally, we didn't even leave the dock before the dolphins started jumping out of the water. While we were on the sound, we also saw some otters, which, we were told was very rare to see. The girls really seemed to enjoy the trip and even got to drive the boat! We've been to the ocean everyday, and have been taking daily bike rides as a family. Yesterday the girls wanted to go shopping to spend some of their money that they have been saving up. It was a fun afternoon, and we didn't even come home with any Hilton Head snowglobes (although they tried)! Emma got a Hilton Head hat and flip flops, which is so fitting, because that's what she wears all the time-a hat and flip flops. Grace got a book about dolphins and some jibbits for her crocs. Olivia bought a watch with horses on it and also got some jibbits for her crocs. They all did a great job! It's just been an all around great week!

A family picture before dolphin spotting!

Emma is a serous captain.

The girls waiting for Greg Russell to sing.

On top of the light house in Harbor Town.

Salty Dog Cafe, More Beach and Fireworks

Last night we went to the Salty Dog Cafe and had some great pizza! The girls got their hair painted by Cappi the Clown, and Cappi even got a shot in on daddy, claiming she was trying to "cover his grey". The girls got a real kick out of that! The beach was pretty exciting yesterday because there were numerous jellyfish stings, so they put the caution flag out. In the 2 1/2 hours we were there, I saw about 15 people get stung. Luckily, we escaped, and the girls seemed unaware of what was going on. Today was a great day at the beach. It was kind of overcast, and it even sprinkled for a few minutes, but that didn't stop us, and it even turned out to be a great, sunny day. The girls did more "surfing" and made a "lobster" sandcastle. Tonight we rode our bikes over to Shelter Cove for the fireworks. We waited about a half hour for them to start, and then they only lasted about 5 minutes. Grace commented, "We waited for 28 fireworks?" I hear you on that one, Grace! Tomorrow morning we are going on a Dolphin watching tour! The girls are pretty pumped about that!

The girls got "glow" necklaces (which proved to helpful on the ride home), and they decided to "hook" themselves together.

I'm thinking this may be contention for the Hamilton Family Christmas card.

Emma loving the Boogie Board

At the Salty Dog-after some hair painting.

A Day at the Beach

Today we got up and had a nice breakfast in the unit and then headed out to the beach. We weren't there long before Olivia learned to body surf. They had a blast even though the surf was pretty calm today. Even Emma was out there and was catching the waves (her apprehension didn't last long). After we left the beach, we headed back to the unit for a late lunch and then over to the pool. We then took a nice long bike ride. Dan and I rented bikes and Dan's has a seat on the back for Emma. Did I mention that it's great that Grace and Olivia can now ride a bike? We had chicken and shrimp fajitas in the unit for dinner and then went over to Coligny Plaza to walk around and get some ice cream. The girls were beat (and so is mommy)!

We Made it to Hilton Head!

We made it to Hilton Head this evening about 6:00. We stayed in Pigeon Forge last night in Big Mom's camper. Here's a picture of the girls before we started out this morning.

Here are the girls lounging in their bedroom as Dan and I carried in all the luggage. They are so excited about their bedroom because it has a TV in it and a bathroom!
The girls at the "Dunes House" just before you get to the ocean. They were dying to see the ocean, so we stopped before be went to grab something to eat.

Grace and Olivia's first "dip" in the ocean.

Emma didn't venture too far from Dan's pant leg. I'm curious to see what the pictures are like at the end of the week? Will she still be clinging to daddy? Is she another Uncle Drew?--We love you, Drew!!!

Needless to say, we had to stop back by the unit for dry shorts for both Olivia and Grace. Those waves will get you everytime!!!

Grace found a shark tooth!

Emma's New Bike

Our neighbor was kind enough to give Emma this bike that their girls had outgrown. Needless to say, Emma is thrilled, because now she is just like her big sisters!

Here she comes!

There she goes!

Just ridin' with the girls.

A Week at Grammy and Papa's

We spent a week (or more) at Grammy and Papa's house. It was a GREAT time and we had terrific weather! We got to swim everyday, spent time with family, and the girls enjoyed riding their bikes up and down Grammy and Papa's new driveway. Yes, Grace finally learned to ride a two wheeler. Olivia came home one day and just took off, and within a couple of hours, Grace was up and running. I guess she didn't want to be shown up by her little sister! Enjoy the pictures! We leave for Hilton Head on Friday. The girls are really excited about going to the beach, although Emma says she won't go in the ocean too far because of the sharks might get her. I'll gladly volunteer to just sit and play in the sand with her! :)

When do kids outgrow that "forced" smile?

Great Grandpa Simmons and Great Grandma Peggy with the girls.

Great Grandma Simmons with all the girls.

Papa and Grammy with Grace, Olivia, and Emma