Beach Bums

The boys and I just got back from an amazing week at Hilton Head with my parents! We were so sad to go without Graham and the rest of the family (Ashley, Jay, Papa and the Hensleys were all very missed) but we still managed to have a wonderful time just the five of us! Mom and the boys and I drove up on Saturday. The boys were so well behaved the entire car ride--they did so good! After dinner that first night we rushed down to the beach to enjoy the sunset and a little playing on the beach (also hoping to wear out the boys so they, Nolan in particular, would sleep well in a new place). It was a great night! The next day we got down to the beach fairly early and we were very excited to enjoy the water. Mom and Nicholas were floating on the boogie board and I was just holding Nolan and we were floating in the water. It was very nice even though there were a few waves but we had gone out past where the waves were breaking. All of a sudden, the largest wave I think I've ever seen in my life was forming way above my head. There was no getting over it and in a second in crashed down on top of me, slamming me to the ocean floor. I held on so tightly to Nolan who was like a doll in my arms and the wave continued to tumble us multiple times and I could not get up through the force of it. We finally made it up and thank goodness Nolan was fine (he is so brave and not bothered by the water). Thankfully Nicholas had gone under water but shot right back up and quickly found Mimi. I had a badly skinned elbow and both Nick and I lost our sunglasses but thanks to the boys life vests, everyone was shaken up but fine. Needless to say, we did not go back in the water the rest of the day and Nick and I headed to the pool instead. That evening we headed into Sea Pines and ended up at a hole in the wall pizza joint but Nicholas loved it because they had a small putt putt green outside that he loved playing at. The next day we decided to take a break from the beach (and the waves and the jellyfish which were really bad all week long) and we headed to the pool in the morning and then off to shop the rest of the day. The next morning we were excited that PopPop would be joining us. He had stayed home to play golf at a qualifier for the US Senior Amateur tournament and we are so proud that he qualified!! He will be playing in the tournament in Virginia in September. We are so proud of you Dad!!
We spent our days at the beach the rest of the week with no injuries or mishaps or jellyfish stings! It was so amazing to watch Nicholas as every day he made new friends, literally everywhere we went. He is so social and has never met a stranger! So thanks to Nicholas we met lots of families during the week and looked forward to meeting friends at the beach each day. We even met another little Nolan (Graham was his middle name!) who was Nolan's age! The boys loved the beach and playing in the sand and tide pools. One of our favorite things was that I rented a kiddie kart attached to the bike to ride the boys to and from the beach each day. The boys love it and it gives me some great exercise pulling them around! We would come back to the house each day for Nolan's nap but Nicholas was so excited about everything that he rarely napped. Many afternoons he and I went back to the pool and on Wednesday, he and PopPop had an exciting afternoon of putt putt. Nicholas and PopPop both got a hole in one! They kept playing and playing, probably 36 holes in all, and the only way PopPop could get him home was to bribe him with ice cream! He sure loves his golf, just like PopPop!
Tuesday night we headed to Shelter Cove for dinner, shopping, bouncing in the bouncy castles, and Shannon Tanner's show which the boys really enjoyed. Unfortunately the fireworks were rained out by a massive storm that sent everyone running in a mass exodus! Later that night our power back at the house went out for the entire night. That was a long, hot, and pitch black night for me as I shared a room (and tiny twin bed) with a scared Nicholas.
Wednesday night we headed down to Shelter Cove for dinner at the Crazy Crab and Gregg Russell's show. Nicholas loved it and wanted so badly to sing a song for Gregg but he was not called on (next year we'll have to make a sign). And Nolan wore me out running everywhere, in between the crowd and up on stage! Nick's favorite part of that night was getting to ride the Trolley throughout Sea Pines.
Thursday night we ate at Hudson's, a favorite of ours and then we went down to the beach to see the full moon and play tag in the dark. What a wonderful memory this will always be for me as I watched Mom and Dad chase Nick and Nolan all along the beach hearing the boys scream with laughter!
Friday night we headed to a new area for us, South Beach, and we headed to the Salty Dog Cafe for dinner. Nick got to see a magician which he enjoyed and then of course we did some shopping.
We were so sad to leave the next day and to put an end to the relaxing and fun but we were also very excited to see Graham. The boys were so well behaved all week and by some miracle, Nolan was a great sleeper!! It was so great being away from the daily chores and responsibilities that are at home and just have an entire week to have fun with the two sweetest boys in the whole world and I loved having quality time with Mom and Dad too. Thanks for a great week and wonderful memories, Mom and Dad!