Camping

 We began camping years ago when our big boys were just little guys.  We started out in Kampin' Kabins at the KOA, then moved onto a tent, then bought a camper.  We all loved camping so much but stopped when we moved to our property because we live out in the beautiful woods now and it feels like a campground here.  But, we did miss the fun of camping so a couple of weeks ago we rented a Kampin' Kabin at the same place we started way back when in Boone,NC. 

I'll admit we were a little scared how it was going to go with a toddler and a 3 month old.

It was AWESOME! 

We had the best time together.  We got there and I immediately set up.  I love making the beds and setting the table.  I love to make it homey in the cabin.  

The boys played in the pool.  They were crazy, in my opinion, as it was cold outside and even colder in the pool, but they didn't care they just wanted to have fun.  Joseph played on the playground and had a great time seeing the baby goats and donkeys in the animal area.  We had a lovely dinner together by the campfire, listen to some bluegrass music playing in the rec hall and then went for a lovely walk on a mountain road.  We then came back and played games together. 

The kids had a great time. They didn't ask to watch a movie or anything.  They just wanted to be together. 

We all sat on the porch later and talked while I nursed the baby in the swing.  It was so wonderful.  I can't wait to do it again.  

We may just have to purchase a camper again as we all didn't realize how much we missed it.

 Juliana loves camping!

Darryl, Matthew and Joey on the porch swing.

 

Our cozy bed!

 

Matthew lovin' on his baby sister.

 

It's so neat to see Joey playing on the same things the boys did at his age.  He loves to climb the stairs.  

 

Sleepy baby.

 

Charleston continued...

 Too cool in momma's glasses...

The beach!

We all had a great time just playing in the sand and relaxing at the beach.  We ended up near the intercoastal and the dolphins were feet away from us!

At Hyman's...A Charleston favorite.  They were so great to us this time.  They kept bringing free appetizers and we had a great window seat(Martha Stewart sat at the same table!).

His Hyman's dollar for free ice cream.

It was a lovely trip.  I love Charleston!

Charleston

We took a long weekend away to Charleston recently and while it was really cold, we had a great time.

Here is Darryl and Joey on a horse drawn carriage.  We took a carriage ride through Charleston to learn the history of the city and buildings.  Nicholas really wanted to do this and it was so interesting.  I could have stayed on it all day and listened to the stories about the homes and facts about the city.

Duck fat fried french fries with duck fat gravy...mmmm

Duck sandwich with blue cheese cole slaw...yummy!

(Thanks Fr Alex for the recommendation)

Silly Nicholas!

Walking to the beach...

This place had awesome food as well.  Poe's Tavern on Sullivan Island.

Magical Charleston...

I love, love, love Charleston.  I love the beautiful homes, the cobblestone streets, the lovely restaurants, the cool breeze by the water..it's magical.  We had a short, but lovely trip there last week and had a wonderful time.  The weather was PERFECT!  We played, we ate good food, we laughed, we were sneeky(we love to peek in the windows of those beautiful mansions in downtown at night as we stroll around with our gelatos!).

More vacation pictures

Baby butt on the beach

Vacation, continued...

We took one morning to visit a sleepy fishing village named Appalachicola.  It was a neat village with oyster shells all over town.  Of course, we had to find a restaurant that served oysters and we found a great one right on the river.

He tried them but didn't like them.  They  both loved alligator meat though...

After we stolled around town to burn off our hefty lunch of oysters, alligator meat and grouper sandwiches, we stopped for some HEAVENLY caramel and chocolate gelato...