Good old fashoined 4th!

those are the eyes of a lady who just doesn't stay up late anymore


she was really into the fireworks show this year



I love that the Bit will take pictures now, we don't always have those annoying close ups anymore



off to find something tasty to eat







I love the pictures where you can tell they are sisters








This year the fourth was one of our more laid back years. We were planning on a big family shin dig w/ mom and dad and Sue's family but since dad keeps having these blasted heart attacks we decided to not load him up w/ wild grandkids for the weekend. He is doing fine by the way only a mild one this time and his scans look good otherwise. So, for the holiday we opted for just some old fashioned family time. We went to our pool for a picnic for lunch. Abigail did a wonderful surprise for us by taking up swimming on the special day. We were delighted to watch her take off and just decide to do it all on her own. It's the cutest thing. She can't coordinate holding her nose or holding her head up out of the water so she does a perfect doggy paddle just under the surface, the only thing that is above the surface is her little Bit bottom. It's so cute.
We swam and laughed and got in all good moods for the day then came home to afternoon naps. Christine came over in the evening for a nice piece of steak (she can't ever resist when we dangle red meat in front of her). It doesn't hurt that her favorite little girls are here too. :) We stuffed our bellies w/ steak and strawberry shortcakes then relaxed and moaned in satisfaction while the sky performed a lovely intense summer storm for us.
Just in time the clouds parted and the sun returned so we could venture down to our towns age old patriotic celebration. This was the first year I had been back as an adult. We went year after year as kids. I have so many memories of us getting there early w/ our neighborhood country crew, feasting on KFC and watching mom march in time to the 1812 overture. We almost always left wearing stylish black trash bags as it rained year after year.
Taking my husband and own children it was a sentimental return to an old tradition. We hoped to meet up with some other families from our church but I have to admit was content to only have the 4 of us to enjoy the evening with. We lined up our lawn chairs and relaxed to the music and the cool post rain breeze. They had a wonderful 1960's tribute band playing lots of beach boys hits. The girls took care of the entertainment for us. Abigail bounced and wiggled nonstop to the fun songs. Chloe even got in on the fun and shocked me to death at her new onset of maturity that she didn't attempt to wander off. If she did I simply said "come back here" and she....obeyed!! :) I was so proud. As the night crept on the kids around us had the glow of their Nintendos lighting up their faces. I was thankful my kids could keep content w/ just some music fresh air, bare feet and their family to keep them entertained. Maybe it's the age but I hope they will grow up being able to be happy where they are when something special is going on. I know Brian and I want to raise them to be in the moment, not behind a hand held electronic.
The fireworks were great. Beautiful now that the stadium is gone and they shot them off to the side so they reflected off of my hospital. We stayed out the whole show then carried the tired little ladies back to the car. Got them in bed by sometime after 10. We were all pretty pooped but happy to have some good holiday memories under our belts.

Myrtle memories

they couldn't have been more thrilled that mommy was actually letting them snack on Cheetos at bedtime














it wasn't just about building a sandcastle, it was more about decorating the sandcastle







no fear Chloe would bolt into the surf the second we would put her down




I think my children were making them a wee bit tired at this point













Abigail was NOT in the mood to pose for any more pictures....oh well






our little helpers

Well, you don't realize how many pictures you take until you go to blog w/ them. Whew, I got picture happy on this trip. But we had a blast for sure at our old friend Myrtle Beach, SC. Mom and Dad were wonderful to include me and the girls on a quick visit to the beach. Unfortunately we had to leave Brian behind this go round. He couldn't get off work. :( But me and my 2 little peas in tow stowed away in the back of Dad's explorer to head towards the sand and the surf. It had been several years since I had been there and not since childhood w/ mom and dad. That made it special to visit it with them. A lot has changed over the years since the Pavillion and the Christmas Mouse. We did find that store still open which I insisted on visiting. Luckily Dad wasn't as keen on seeing it again so he took nap duty w/ Chloe while me, mom and the Bit hit the shops. It was great and Abigail grabbed that little tiny purse and popped out of the car like a teenager at those stores. It was so cute.
We stayed in two places so it made the trip interesting. Dad always has a way of getting those deals w/ timeshare so we moved halfway through our trip. Worked out great though because as wonderful as the first place was we were blown away at resort number 2! I think I could have stayed a month if we could have had Brian with us. It was heavenly. Spacious and clean and across the street from the ocean. So pretty. We had a ball wearing mom and dad out. They loved every minute of it for certain. Even despite the fact that my little carrier monkeys gave them the stomach flu to share on the trip. So stubborn those 2, they didn't even let it show that they were battling that bug. Of course my girls shook it before we left but they love to give their Mi-Mi and Pa-Pa special treats when they keep them on my work days.
One night Dad took me and Abigail to the Alabama theater for the show. It really was something else. He was proud as peach to have us on his arms walking into that theater. It was nice to be on a date w/ my Dad again. Abigail was a trooper to sit through the 3 hr show at 4 yrs old. She started to fade by the finale but perked back up and got her second wind for the drive home at 10 o'clock. Dad and I were amazed that the child never drew a breath for the 30 minute car ride back to the hotel. She has some mad verbal skills that's for sure.
Our day on the sand was special. Abigail and Dad took off into the water pretty quick. He was very anxious to play in the waves like the old days. And the Bit just loved it. Now Chloe, she took every bit of mom and my attention to keep that baby safe (if I had a nickle for every time I said that one). She was all about the crashing surf and we could NOT keep her happy unless she was splashing into it head on. When we would try to put her down to sit and play in the sand and the shallow tide, no. She would hear nothing of it. She wanted to be dashing into the salty fun, eyes and mouth open and taking it all in as best and biggest she could. It was a fun day. We got some silly pictures then headed back to the more containable pool area after a couple hours.
It was a wonderful trip. So many great memories made. I am so thankful for the good ones we keep piling on with these kids. Grandparents rock!! Next time though, Brian gets to come too. He was awful glad to see his girls , all of us when we got back to town. He and Tuggs had missed us pretty bad. He was a good egg to let us head off with out him. I bet he'll get his chance soon. I'm sure he's cooking up some trip to visit his Mouse soon I'd wager. :)