Our Vacation Re-cap

I can’t really seem to figure out why I can’t write about our vacation. I think it’s because I’m sad that it’s over… part of me still holding onto the idea that it won’t really be over until I write about it… as if I’m closing that chapter by blogging it.  


It has been more than a week since we got home. And, yet, I still don't want to admit it is over. But, alas, it is. And, I'm getting further behind by avoiding blogging this, because, as always, life keeps going on in full speed. :) 

Maybe another reason that I can't seem to get motivated to post about vacation is because my camera was broken on our first day of arriving in Florida. And, what would this post be like without beautiful photos of the beach and my sun-kissed babies? But... well... no pictures yet. Ok. So, I have a few pics from our cell phone cameras. I'll include those. Still... not happy that the ones I really loved are stuck on a camera that I haven't been able to turn on. Ugh.

It was a great vacation. I was a little nervous about how it would go… traveling to Charleston, South Carolina first, staying a couple of days, and then traveling some more to get to Dunedin, Florida. I was worried we wouldn’t feel rested… that it would feel like we were running around too much.  

I was worried for no reason. Was it our most relaxing beach vacation? Well, no. The travel did break it up a little. But, was it worth it? Yes. Definitely. Charleston was more beautiful than I expected it to be. Honestly, I could have stayed there an entire week and probably still would not have been ready to come home. It was so charming… so cute… yet it still had all the luxury of a larger city and the feel of a real tourist destination without a ridiculous amount of traffic or waiting. We spent our first evening there eating at Hyman’s and wandering the downtown market. The kids enjoyed it… the food was delicious… and we even got a free gift certificate to go back to Hyman’s (Dawn, remind me to give it to you before you leave for Seabrook in August) for wearing our stickers downtown. :)

The second day we were there, we had to go to the beach. I was hesitant because I didn’t want to miss anything in Charleston, but I had two children who had been promised a beach vacation and they were not about to wander around a hot downtown all day with the coast so very close by. I didn’t fight them much… as a matter of fact, I was having a really tough time not being on the beach immediately, too. So, we took breakfast (our only McDonald’s stop during our entire stay – a small miracle) to Folly Beach. It was gorgeous. The kids had a great time… and both of them shared with me that they NEVER wanted to go home. See video here (I have similar video of Jake, but I can't seem to get it downloaded properly... apparently I have issues with technology these days):



  


Brad and I had already began our typical vacation discussion… when are we moving to the beach? Which beach do we want to move to? Should we move to a city close to the beach, but not actually on the beach? Which city would offer us the best job opportunities? Which place would be best for the kids? What in the world would our parents do? Could we find a place that has direct flights from Lexington or Huntington or even Charleston for our families to use (and us as well?)? Could we really leave our families behind to move? All of these conversations are the same every year… always with the same answers… we don’t know. :) Still, they happen every year… and I’m slightly convinced that each and every year, we get a little bit closer to taking that leap. Will it be this year? Who knows? 

We spent that evening shopping at the Outlet Mall (which was only about a mile from our hotel), looking at the USS Yorktown from the riverfront, wandering around town and looking at old buildings, roads, and shops, and eating more seafood at A.W. Shuck’s (a fabulous place, I have to say). Then, while we would have been so happy to stay the rest of the week, we packed up our stuff, slept a few hours, and headed to Florida.  

The trip down was not bad at all. In fact, other than a few small towns with very low speed limits, it was pretty enjoyable. This is the part where I gush and brag about how awesome our kids are… sorry. They travel so well. Eight hours to Charleston, South Carolina. Then, we traveled eight more hours to Florida. The fighting was minimal… the sleeping was practically nonexistent, and yet, they were great. They are such wonderful babies (or big kids as they point out these days).  

Florida… Clearwater might have had the prettiest sand I’ve ever seen. The first night there, we ate dinner at Crabby Bill’s (where they had AWESOME crab legs that I kept making a mess with and hitting Cilla and Bret with from across the table) and then we watched a gorgeous sunset on the white sandy beach. Aww… how I miss it already. Cilla was, as always, adorably pregnant and Bret was, as always, making the kids wild. Well, no more wild than usual, really. It was still beautiful. Kids screaming (and getting in the water despite my threats) and still a beautiful sunset. 

The entire week was pretty much perfection. We had gorgeous weather. We got tan. YAY! We relaxed on the beach and the kids played in the waves. They collected seashells, got buried in the sand, and screamed at seagulls. Hmm. That doesn’t sound peaceful, does it? Well… let me tell you… these seagulls are unlike any I have seen before. They literally stole a sandwich out of Bailey’s hand as she was eating it. I’ve never seen more aggressive birds in my life. Of course, that just so happened to be the day that the waves were larger and stronger than normal. So, Bailey had already had a major wipeout on her boogy board (as in, I saw her feet and only her feet for quite some time before Brad was pulling her out of the water). To top it all off, that was the day that us girls all went to the spa to have pedicures and manicures and the guys went to golf. Wouldn’t you know that Bailey got locked in the bathroom at the spa and screamed as if she was being locked in a dungeon? Oh… it was funny. It was all funny, even if she didn’t think so.  She didn't think it was the best day of our vacation. 

Jake enjoyed the beach more than any other year, I think. Well, I don't know. He did love Hilton Head a lot. But, at least he has moved beyond his hatred of the sand. Brad and I were so worried when he was a little over a year old and we went on our first beach vacation. He sat in a chair or on a blanket the entire time we were at the beach. He didn't want to touch the sand because it would stick to him. Thankfully, he's outgrown that. We were temporarily terrified that we wouldn't be allowed to vacation at the beach. Jake did pull out his old chair stunt on our last day on vacation though. He knew we were planning to go home that day and he had decided that Superman and Batman were crying for him at home. They missed him so much that he just had to get home right then. We had plans to spend the morning on the beach before leaving town. Jake did not like those plans. So, he refused (loudly) to wear his swimming trunks. He then wore two t-shirts, to reinforce the message that he was not going to swim. And, finally, he made us carry him to a chair on the beach so that he wouldn't have to get in the sand. Picking your battles really came in handy that day. :) Instead of fighting with him, we just let him make his choices. Of course, he ended up in full clothing, soaking wet and sandy, because he couldn't resist the beach any more than the rest of us could. 

One of my favorite things about vacation is the good food. We ate seafood almost every single night of vacation - the only night that we didn't was the night that we cooked out at the beach for Cilla's birthday. That's also the same night that my phenomenally talented best friend took this year's family photos. I can't wait to show them off to you. I even got to play on the camera some too and took some of her pregnant belly. So adorable. 


And, just like last year, I got to mark off some list items with this vacation. I visited Charleston, South Carolina. I helped Cilla mark off an item on her list - going to play putt-putt golf. It was fun... and hot... and sweaty... but fun. The kids had a good time. We had a good time. And, I totally kicked butt. Yes, I'm bragging to Brad and Bret here... because it isn't often that I get to win. 


We saw dolphins, took a boat ride to Caladesi Island, and spent evenings eating ice cream, watching sunsets, and discussing everything under the sun. Ahhh... vacation. Why do you only come once a year? 

As a sidenote, I hope that I'm able to share some of my photos from our vacation soon. If not from my own camera, I know that Cilla is going to have some really awesome ones to share later. So... more to come... because I'm definitely not done with this vacation. lol. 

Until then... here are a few of my favorites from our cell phone cameras: 

Mini Golf, Lighthouse, and Fireworks...

This post is going to be categorized as "Activities at the Beach." :) It can't really include portions of our trip that I've already blogged about, like our trip to Savannah or our dolphin watching boat ride. I had considered doing a separate blog on each of the activities, but that seems a little too organized. And, despite my OCD tendencies, I'm pulling away from that organization a little. :) 

Here goes. :) 

When Brad and Colt came home from their first night of golfing, the kiddos were ready to do some golfing of their own. They wanted to try miniature golf or putt-putt. Brad and I were curious to see how this would go and thought they'd have fun. So, off we went. Bailey and I both got separate holes-in-one. Pat on my back. Brad killed us on the score, so I have to take it where I can. Of course, we helped the kids on most holes, but after Bailey got her hole in one, she decided she was good on her own. (Rolling eyes here). :) I figured it was no big deal. She wanted to do it on her own... I could relate. So, I let her go. Brad, being the ultra-perfectionist that he is, tries to help her do it "right" and she refuses his help. Before all is said and done, Brad has her crying because she isn't doing it "right." So much for fun. lol. I lectured to him about how this was supposed to be fun, not instructional golf. Of course, he understood what I was saying and I had to agree that she should have listened simply because he was the authority figure. Ah... the struggles. Anyway, it was fun (for the most part). Jake was really tired and refused to golf the last hole by the time we got there. He was just downright exhausted and was NOT going to golf any more. No matter how much we wanted him to finish it. lol. :) Afterward, we had ice cream and all were happy to go home and get in bed.

The lighthouse was one of my favorite things about Hilton Head. Despite its commercial existence, it is actually a very nice feature of the island. There are lots of shops and restaurants surrounding it and the view is beautiful. We went up in the lighthouse right before the sunset, so we were able to see a truly magnificent sunset, complete with a dolphin or two splashing in the water. There is also a very nice pier at the lighthouse, which was fun for us and the kids. I don't know what it is about a pier that is so fun, but I love to walk out on one and see the water beneath me. I guess it's just the idea that you don't really get to "walk on water" any other time. 

On Tuesday of the week we were in Hilton Head, we went to see the fireworks. The kids were tired from spending the day at Savannah. Scratch that... we were all tired. But, we wanted to see the fireworks and it was a really nice evening. The kids enjoyed snow cones and bounced in the inflatables until bad behavior interfered and they were parked in the stroller. The fireworks were nice, but probably not worth the wait and frustration when we were already so tired. Next time (if we ever get back there), we will plan to eat there and spend the evening relaxing on a patio. Live and learn. Still, overall, not a bad experience. :) 

Brad holding the kids so they can see the fireworks... not just a random photo of his butt. :)

Vacation = Food

In case I hadn't mentioned it, I love food. :) 


LOVE food. 


Our vacations are typically planned around eating really good food. 


So, this post is about food on vacation. 


Is it really sad that I am dedicating an entire post to what I digested while on vacation? Probably... but you know the one question I've been asked by everyone who asked about our vacation to Hilton Head? Where did you eat? That's the number one question. So, I don't think I'm all that crazy and I definitely don't think I'm alone out there in this one. :) 


Here's my list of favorites from vacation, in the order that we ate them. I wanted to put them in order of favorites, but I can't pick, so this will just have to do. :) 


1. The Boathouse - we sat outside and I ate crab legs. Lots of crab legs. Gnats about drove me crazy the entire time and I'm pretty sure I probably ended up eating a couple, but they did not at all interfere with the deliciousness of these crab legs. OMG. So good. Not to mention that I have a big thing for good atmosphere and this place had it. We walked along a pier to see the water, sat outside and watched the sun, and then got to eat on the patio. Subtract the bugs and I would have been in heaven. Oh... that and get my son to actually sit in his seat instead of nearly tripping servers the entire night. :) Oh... and make my daughter listen to me the first fifteen times I tell her to do something or not do something. It was our first night there and the beginning of a week of fights between mother and daughter. Oh, the memories. :) 

2.  Land's End Tavern (Salty Dog Cafe) - We made our way to the part of the island that featured the Salty Dog Cafe. I think this is called South Beach Marina, but I couldn't swear to it. The food here was also complete deliciousness. I got fried shrimp and regretted it the entire time. I should have done crab legs again. Colt got them and let us help him crack them, so I got to taste test and I regretted it even more. The shrimp was good, but I could have had it any where. Still kicking myself for it. Again, here, we enjoyed the atmosphere while we waited. Jake had fallen asleep, so I was carrying him most of the time, but Bailey really enjoyed seeing the boats and the water. We watched a crab devour a minnow. It was a crowded area of the island, but fun to be in the mix. Here's where Emily and I started our research on kayaking, boating, etc. :) This restaurant is also the one that featured several large pirates. Not live pirates, just pirate mannequins. Jake was obsessing over them the entire meal (he woke up before we ate). I promised him we'd take pictures with the pirates and then when he got the chance to actually go see the pirate and take a picture, he was terrified and cried. Hilarious...  

Jake and his version of the pirate's "hook." He's all fearless right now. 

Colt trying out some calamari

Bailey showing him up... not really... she just wanted a cool picture. 

Me wishing I had ordered crab legs again. :(

Who says playing with food isn't fun? 

Before the pirate....

"Hello Captain Pirate, I am terrified." 

Bailey showing up her brother. 

3. Guiseppe's Pizza and Pasta - OK. I don't think I have photos of this one. We ordered in. The boys (being Colt and Brad) went and golfed. Emily and I ordered pizza. It took way too long and I was way too hungry when it arrived. But, it was really good... if you ever go there, make sure you get meatballs on the pizza. Deliciousness. But, if you order cheese sticks and they act like you are getting breadsticks with cheese on them, don't count on it. You will get deep fried mozzarella. Or so we did. :) 

4. Lady and Sons - You can read all about this in my post about Savannah, Georgia, complete with photos, but not of the food. :) 

5. Crazy Crab - The week was half over before we figured out when and how to get to the lighthouse. :) And we finally made it. I'll be posting more about it separately. We had heard the Crazy Crab was touristy, but that they had good food. I'm not opposed to touristy. I usually like local favorites, but touristy isn't bad. And, it wasn't bad. It was really good. I had shrimp there. I can't remember exactly what kind because it's fading now, but it was good. It was peel and eat, but there was also some flavoring, just can't remember exactly what. What I do remember about it is the decor. There were fish everywhere. And there was a huge old scuba diver outfit that freaked Jake out. He wasn't really scared of it, but he called it a bad guy. If you have seen the Spongebob movie where Spongebob and Patrick get captured by a scuba diver and are being "dried out" to sell in a souvenir shop, then you'll understand why this is the "bad guy." Otherwise, just take it from me. He's the bad guy. Jake hasn't figured out that it's a person in that suit. I'll just let him go on thinking this. I'm sure he won't want to hear what I have to say about it anyway. :)

Trying to take a fun picture... 

Deciding this was more like how I was really feeling at the moment. 

6. Captain Woody's - After we spent our wonderful day out on the boat, seeing dolphins and enjoying the beauty of nature, we made our way to Captain Woody's. It was recommended by the driver of our boat. Oddly enough, it was owned by a couple from Kentucky. They even had a drink on the menu that was called "Go Big Blue." This was a small, hole in the wall type, but it was fabulous. And, it looked great from the outside, so I'm not sure I'd really call it a hole in the wall. It was just more like a small pub. I got the crab cake sandwich and it was great. I had been debating crab cakes all week and decided that I'd better go with it or I was going to run out of time. I don't think I have photos of this restaurant. I'm not sure why. Maybe I was just tired of my camera after the boat trip. :) This was probably my second favorite (next to the Boathouse). It was just good, fast, and relaxing. If you get a chance to go, you should.

7. Hinoki - On our last night there, I decided I needed some red meat or I might go crazy. I don't think I ate any for that whole week. Really. So, we contemplated. Brad and Colt had golfed, so they were starving, too. I made some kind of comment like, "For the amount of money we've been spending, we could eat at Hibachi." And it stuck. We started the research to find a Japanese Steakhouse. And we found this one. It was great! I have never gone to a restaurant where you sit on the floor. This place had a sort of pit for the table and you sat in these stadium-seat like chairs on the floor with your feet dangling in the hole in the floor. I took pictures of the food here. :) Yum.