Going Home: South Carolina

After our time in N.C. it was time to head south to my home state of S.C.  The boys and I had been there this summer and I had been but Allen had not been in two years.  we had lots of fun hanging out with our family and friends and getting to see and do things that are not part of our life here.

We started off with my high school reunion.  It was so fun to catch up with some of these wonderful people that I’ve known forever!

We made plans to stay downtown to be nearer to the reunion.   I’ve always wanted to stay at The Poinsett.  It didn’t disappoint…the somehow upgraded us to the Presidential Suite.

It is a lovely hotel is you are ever visiting Greenville, SC.

We got two good visits in with our friends the Troyers. 

Unfortunately we missed lots of other friends due to scheduling {the kids there were not on Fall Break}.

All the guys got their eyes checked…someone needs glasses!

Michele’s neigh-bor came over to say hello!

While the boys were outside playing they found the perfect spot to swing from the tree.

Soon enough Allen had figured he needed to get them a swing made.  He had plenty of input from the females in the family…I am sure he appreciates that.

Soon enough the boys were on their new swing!

We got to make a stop at Krispy Kreme Donuts!

Allen loved Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar as much as we thought he would!

One day we took a picnic to Falls Park.  The boys had a blast rolling down the hill…again, and again and again!

This tree grows on an embankment there in the park.

Allen and I got married here…14 years ago!

My mom adores watching the boys do their thing…while she sits in the swing.

We had a few bonfires.  We all love that.  It was cold!  But that didn’t stop me from roasting two perfect marshmallows at the same time.  As my sister and husband both scoffed at me being able to even do one perfect one.

Yep, that is me holding up 2 fingers…not flashing a sign!

All of this and I don’t have a single picture of the boys with my sister, who spoils them rotten and babysat them for 24 hours while Allen and I went to the reunion, so here is an old one from this summer!

Thanks for the memories SC, we will be back soon!

Shop til You Drop and other fun!

Alrighty then!  After I took the boys to NC to stay with their grandparents, I met up with my friend Kelly and we hit Charlotte for a day of shopping. 

I have to say that when you live in a shopping void {like the Bahamas} and you go to the US, shopping is mandatory.  It is so mandatory that it takes a little of the fun out of it.  We powered through and made a really fun day of it.  I kid we always have a ball together, so anything we do is fun!

Shortly after we got to the mall we were approached by two ladies from the Chanel counter asking if we wanted to get a free makeover.  Why not!

We had a yummy lunch at CPK  {a tradition} then proceeded to make the rounds.  We ended up leaving the mall about seven hours after we entered.  Whew!

We hit a couple other spots and headed to dinner. We had so much fun just hanging out together.

The next day Michele and I got to hand out just the two of us, go to the pool and eat Mexican.  Sadly this is the only picture I have.

Sunday we took our mom out for lunch, and we had so much fun! Afterwards we hit up Ulta and then headed back to her house.  Monday I met Allen’s parents back in Hendersonville to pick up the boys.  They seemed like they had so much fun with their grandparents.  They did the Dinosaur Train, visited Fun Factory, and went to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

After they were back in Greenville we spent lots of days visiting with friends

Spending time with family and hitting up all our favorite spots in Greenville.

All of a sudden it was time for us to get back to the Bahamas.

SC in the Summer

We have been home from the Carolinas for a while now and I just have not had much time for the old bloggity blog.  The boys keep us pretty busy and this is such and easy thing to let slide.  I’ll do better, pinky promise.

We flew through Atlanta and were so excited to eat at Chic-Fil-A for lunch!  It’s the little things, right?!

Aunt Chele picked us up and as we headed to her house jackson started to work on his Giant Jawbreaker.  This was what it looked like after half an hour.  I don’t think his tongue felt too good after that!

We spied the Peach!  It’s something we love, but yes we also know it is tacky and also slightly weird.  Did you know it holds a million gallons of water.  It was also the subject of a story line in one of our favorite shows, House of Cards.

We made a quick stop at the outlets and then headed to Chele’s house.  The boys are positively in love with her new puppy, Maggie. 

In the picture above you can see her dog, Sassy, wondering where her top dog status had gone.  She and Miller had a long standing love affair, but it looks like his affections are a little loose.

The next day we got up and headed to Fripp Island.  After that we were in Greenville for a few days.  We visited my friend Cathy the first day. We took the kids to Sky Zone and it was a blast!

My photo skills are unmatched!

The next day we visited with my mom and Kelly.  That sweet AnnaKate loves the boys and they love her right back.

We had a great lunch and went swimming.

OH! We also squeezed in a little Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.  If you do not know Krispy Kreme, you have to taste it!

The next day the boys and I headed up to the Mountains to visit Allen’s parents.  The boys love being there because they are treated like kings.  I loved the cool weather.  I was taking a nap on the porch and went inside because I was chilly!

Miller lost his tooth while he was there.  He was super excited about that.  He kept telling everyone his brother kicked it out.  That was true, except he kept forgetting to say that he walked behind the swing.

Jackson was thrilled to be able to fit into his dad’s hiking boots from when he was a child.  he even hiked in them!

The next morning I left and the boys stayed with their grandparents for a few days.  I don’t have any pictures of that time, but from what I hear they had a really fun time!

I think that’s it for now, but I’ll finish telling you about our trip as soon as I can.

Random Thoughts

On Tuesday I got back from a quick trip to S.C to visit my family.  Remember how I was missing fall?  Well this weekend was just what I needed.  There were incredible fall colors, the weather was perfect and crisp and I enjoyed a couple of fires with my sister and brother.

My brother was coming to visit our mom and I thought it would be nice for me to be there too, so I booked the trip very last minute.  Except my passport was out for renewal.  Bummer! We got it all figured out and I had a great time. 

When the boys are not with me, these are the things I take pictures of.

One of the most gorgeous sunrises I’ve ever seen.

Enormous pumpkins and gourds on a front porch.

Pretzel Crisps at Costco.  Costco is amazing to me now.  I can’t get over the prices!

I can’t forget the peach in Gaffney!

Some cute rain boots that wanted me to take them home.  Alas, they wouldn’t have fit in my carry on bag!  There is always Christmas, honey!

While I was gone the boys had big fun with their dad.

Miller left the house looking like this.

Jackson had a pretty nasty crash on his bike (disgusting picture below)!

We are still trying to get all the dirt out….of his knee, elbow and palms.  Bless his brave heart!

They also had lots of time with their dad, swimming, riding bikes, making an obstacle course and churning home made mango ice cream.

I left temperatures in the 30’s and came back to temps in the 80’s.  It’s so good to be home!