Summer Vacation Fun

Yee hah, did we have a good time last week! We made our annual trek to Myrtle Beach, S.C. We arrived on Sunday the 18th (Father's Day). Darrin's parents met us there. We exchanged dad's day gifts as soon as they got there because the boys were so excited. Payton picked out the bright yellow shirt for Darrin. They each picked out their own card as well. They even got him a little gold trophy that said "World's Greatest Dad." They were wound up but finally went to sleep a little after midnight.
Then, as always, they woke up at the crack of dawn (well...7:30 a.m.). Nana took them to the pool each morning until Darrin and I rolled out of bed around 11:00ish. Then, we'd have lunch, pack up and head to the beach. They boys aren't real big on the water but they love to dig holes and play in the sand. It was so nice too. There was a constant breeze so we never really realized how high the temperature was. We ate out every night which is always nice. I'm not a big fan of doing dishes anyway, especially on vacation! We ate at the best place in Myrtle Beach (in my opinion)...the "Farm House." It's been owned by the same family for 39 years. It's in a tiny house that is almost 100 years old. They serve good 'ole home cookin' too...ham, mashed potatoes, collard greens, fried apples and cornbread. The place only seats 40 people so there's generally a wait, but it's well worth it.
One afternoon we walked out onto the Apache Pier. It has the distinction of being the longest pier on the east coast. The boys thought it was cool to watch the men fishing. They even saw one catch a baby shark!

We also played putt putt at the Treasure Island mini golf course. I was the official score keeper and picture taker, so the the boys competed against their dad (and won they say!). We took in some great fireworks at Broadway at the Beach after a scrumptious meal at Yamato Japanese Steak House. We did a little shopping at Barefoot Landing and the Tanger Outlet Mall. The boys raced go carts at the Nascar Speedpark too. It was a fun filled week but boy was I happy to see home yesterday evening. I missed my bed and our two doggies too! It's hard to sleep without those little guys snuggled up next to me. Darrin licked my nose a few times for me while we were gone, but it just wasn't the same. (just kidding!) After checking out on Saturday we drove an hour north to Wilmington, N.C. We toured the U.S.S. North Carolina, took a trip on a water taxi and visited with my great aunt and uncle. Sunday we'd planned to stop by Carowinds Amusement Park on our way home, but mother nature had other plans. It poured the rain all day so we just kept on truckin'. I'm proud to say we're unpacked and the laundry is all done. Now, if the sun would just come back so I could swim with the boys before it piles up again! For more pictures go to flickr. (Oh, just in case you're wondering....Darrin did get one day of "real" golf in while we were there.)