• Travel & Vacation: Swimming Pool Fun on Daniel’s Island

    We got to try out a few hotel pools this summer with all our travel adventures.  The one in the pictures below we visited more then once and the girls love it.  The Hampton Inn on Daniel’s Island, SC (actually the only hotel on Daniel’s Island) was one of the girls favorites I think because we went to it several times over the summer and it was really close to everything.

    Brina and Karlie swimming in their “favorite” hotel pool!

      The pool usually had some shade any time you were in it plus it was relatively quiet during the day.

    Brina Bee swimming in the pool.

    The girls did really well in the pools and ocean this summer.  When it was just Mommy and the girls swimming I made sure the girls wore floaties or their life jackets as an extra precaution.  When Jake was with us they could go without the floaties or life jackets because each of us could spot one of the girls.  You really cannot be too safe when it comes to swimming pools.

    Karlie showing off under water

    Love this picture of Karlie and the pool.  As you can see from the picture we were literally the only ones in the pool at this time.  The girls would swims for hours.  We had a blast swimming and playing.

    Brina smiling at me under water

    Cute shot of Brina under water.  She did great swimming, splashing and playing in the pool.  I was thrilled to see her willing to take off her life jacket and floaties for a few minutes too.  She loves the water!

    Karlie ready to jump

    Karlie would wait to make sure I was looking before jumping.  She loved jumping off the side of the pool into the water.  The cannon ball was her favorite because it did a big splash.

    Brina playing in the swimming pool!

    Brina had a blast swimming and diving under the water.  She thought it was funny that she could see under water better than Mommy.

    Karlie in mid air

    Karlie’s face in this picture makes me smile.  She loved jumping, diving, cannon balling into the pool.

    Brina getting ready to jump

    Love her little tongue sticking out as she contemplates the best way to jump on her unsuspecting noodle.    Brina’s favorite way to jump into the pool was to target her noodle and jump in on it.

    Karlie holding her breath under water

    Karlie wears her goggles almost the entire time she is in the pool.  She loves being able to see “clearly” under water.  One time she even found another kids diving stick for them!  The goggles are on a little off center  in this picture but the girls did really well putting them on by themselves.

    Brina laughing at her noodle.

    Sometimes it is the simplest things in life that are so funny.  Even though we were really busy filling our days with activities it was wonderful to have play time were we could relax, play and just have a blast together.

    Karlie in mid jump.....her target is her blue noodle

    Karlie loves jumping into the pool.  I was surprised at how high she was able to get on some of her jumps.  Thankful for this time together and seeing my girls growing up.

    Pretty Brina Bee holding her breath under water in the pool

    It takes talent learning how to hold your breath under water.  I think over the last several months the girls have become water bugs.  They love swimming!

    Karlie having fun at the pool

    The girls could play all day at the pool.  After several hours of swimming and several layers of sunblock Mommy decided we better head in so Daddy wasn’t waiting on us.  The girls loved swimming in the pool and going on adventures.  Most of our activities were simple (swimming in the pool, playing in the park, etc…) yet they were enjoyable for everyone.  We made a lot of fun memories together this year.  Thankful for my camera Jake gave me for Christmas because I can take it with me in the pool, ocean, or rain and not worry about the camera being ruined.  The girls loved that I could take the camera into the pool with us!

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Travel & Vacation: Isle of Palms Beach, South Carolina

    On our recent trip to Charleston, South Carolina we had the opportunity to spend a long day at the Isle of Palms Beach.  The beach was busier than Tybee Beach in Georgia but it was beautiful.    It was a great day swimming and relaxing together.

    Two chickies at the beach!

    Karlie and Brina ready to swim at Isle of Palms Beach near Charleston, SC.

    Karlie and Daddy digging.

    Karlie and Daddy made a sand castle while Brina and Mommy picked up sea shells.

    Brina's favorite sea shells, she said they look like colorful butterflies.

    We found a lot of these little clam shells on the beach.  Even though they are fragile Brina still insisted on picking up as many as possible!

    Brina found a shell!

    There were a lot of people on the beach that day but Brina still spotted a bunch of shells!

    Daddy and the girls swimming....well really just everyone standing on Daddy.

    Brina thought it was hilarious that she could stand on Daddy’s knee and Karlie is trying to put her glasses back on, silly girls!

    Here it comes!

    I think Daddy was the only one aware of the big wave about to get them!

    Karlie and Mommy swimming

    Karlie wore her sunglasses the entire time we were in the ocean.

    Pruned feet from swimming in the ocean too long!

    The girls thought it was hilarious seeing their hands and feet pruned after swimming in the ocean.  We had been in for at least an hour maybe two so its going to happen eventually.

    Cool shades Karlie cat.

    Karlie chilling for a few minutes after eating her snack.

    Brina spent the entire time eating her snack watching the little puppy next to our tent.

    Entertained by the little dog next to us.

    Brina catching seashells.

    Brina thought it was great sitting at the edge of the water waiting for wave and catching seashells.

    Karlie on the run.

    Karlie had fun looking for treasures in the water, she is running to the shell bucket.  The best find that day was 2 quarters.

    After several hours in the sun at the beach we went back to the hotel and swam for another three hours.  I am not sure how the girls did it but they slept well that night.  It was a lot of fun to spend a day at the beach and pool with the family.

    “A Vacation To Remember” series is a reflection on our recent trip and ways we relaxed.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Go with a good attitude and looking for fun and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Summer Activities: Swimming with Friends

    Brina carrying the Noodles!

    Our family is blessed with amazing extended family and friends in our lives.  Many of our long time friends have become like family to us. One of the activities I enjoy during the summer is a chance to catch up with family and friends.  The girls and I had an opportunity to hang out with some friends and go swimming not too long ago.  It was a fun day full of swimming, giggling, and a picnic lunch.

    Karlie had a blast swimming and playing!

    The pool was huge and very few people who were using it while we were there so we had most of it to ourselves.  The girls had fun splashing and playing while the Moms enjoyed the cool water and catching up.  I am thankful for great times to spend with friends.  Both of my girls crashed on the way home after swimming and having a picnic lunch.  If you are looking for a new subdivision with a really nice pool I have one I can recommend.  Thanks Christina for a great day!

  • Summer Activities: Fun Family Day at Home!

    School’s out and the summer heat is here. We love spending time as a family outside, however, some of that time involves finding cool activities to do during the summer heat.  There is always something fun to do during the girls summer vacation away from school.  Below are some of the fun adventures we did on a recent Saturday together.

    Swimming in the Pool

    Brina and Karlie Swimming in the Pool!

    Eating Ice Cream

    Daddy, Karlie, Brina and Skipper enjoying a bowl of ice cream on the front porch!

    Napping in the Hammock

    Karlie snoozing in the shade on the hammock after a swim in the pool!

    Playing Under the Jungle Gym – Sand Fun

    Brina "cleaning" the sand off the Jungle Gym after swimming in the pool!

    Science Experiments

    Growing Rocks in a Rainbow of Colors! Since one of the girls is into "sharks" I choose a shark background for this experiment.

     

    Brina and Karlie watching the rocks grow! It was an interesting experiment over a couple days!