Hilton Head 2011!!

We just got back from our 6th annual vacation in Hilton Head with some wonderful friends. It was so nice to get away. Josh, the boys and I went down a little early and had some family time before everyone came down. We drove thru the night Tuesday. Wednesday was beach and then kayaking on a sunset tour. The boys did great. Fielding wanted to paddle or to be in the water...He definitely has a mind of his own.

The boys love being at the beach.

Thursday morning we went on a shark fishing trip! Unfortunately, the fishing didn't go that well. We had one bite and caught a little shark. Better than nothing! It was nice just being out on the water though. We definitely need a boat! :)

That Cheez-It box was so gross....the boys had as much fun playing with the bait fish as anything, but before I realized it, they were eating snacks. Slimmy hands and all....

Thursday night our friends the Hoffers and Cahills arrived. Normally our good friends the Henrys come on this trip too. Unfortunately, they weren't able to come. Their presence was missed and we all wished they had been able to come.

We had 3 little boys and 1 girl. They boys had a blast fishing, digging, swimming and playing with bait. Mary Frances was so sweet walking and lounging with the moms. It's amazing the difference between boys and girls.

{Wellington and William}

{The men: Josh, Paul, & Steven}

{Look at that hair!!}

{Fielding: the fisherman}

{Playing sand crabs}

{Fielding}

{Me & Fielding}

We had a great time and are refreshed and ready to get back to work. I have so many things I want to set up, organize and sew! I love how taking time off motivates you to tackle the projects that had seemed daunting.

As you can see, my pictures are a little different this time! I'm trying to get nicer pictures for you all. So, I downloaded a new camera app - Camera+. It's been fun so far! Hope you like it...even if I did you a million different lenses and effects. :)

SNEAK PEAK!

We got our new table! Its beautiful! I haven't gotten everything set up yet but soon I'll show it to you. Until then, here's what the new bench looks like. The boys have sat on the bench every meal since we brought it home. :) Guess they like it too! {the table in the background is our old table}

That's all for now! Have a great rest of your week!

Helen

Birthday Week

I am so blessed! Last week was so much fun hanging out with friends and family and eating way too much chocolate cake! I guess chocolate will be a big part of my 29th year.... :) I think I gained 5 pounds last week and am now having chocolate withdrawal as I try to detox from all the sugar. Ha! I started the week off by selling some items we no longer use {I love purging!} on craigslist. Wells ran into the door and got a nasty bump as you can see. But he's fine.

On my actual birthday, Josh came home from work and let me go use my Christmas present ~ an hour massage and an hour facial!! It was so relaxing. I have a wonderful husband. That night we ate cake, and Wells blew out candles for me. :)

Later in the week some of my girl friends had a play date/birthday lunch for me! So sweet!! It was great letting the kids play, catching up and not having to make lunch. :) My boys love play dates. They got to hang out with Michaela, Alexis, William, Mary Frances, and Xander.

They're getting so big!

Here's the kid table. Karen is holding Katy's Mary Frances and feeding her William as Wells and Michaela look on.

Here are the lovely ladies that blessed me so much that day. I'm super thankful for all of them!

{Lft-Rt: Katy, Karen, Lindsay, & Vanessa (host)}

For the rest of the week, we ate cake - with candles on it of course and worked on stuff around the house. I have a feeling that 29 is going to be a great year. I have so much to be thankful for. A wonderful husband, great kids, lots of family, more friends than I've ever had, and a God that wants good things for me.