Back from Vacation!

Home from vacation! We came home a day early because of the traffic we saw leaving last Saturday! It was a great week at the beach but very hot with no rain, so we are glad to be home and hoping for some rain to cool things off a bit!

We left Friday and spent the night outside Charlotte to get a jump start on the trip. We got to Brad's house right after lunch and hurried out to the beach. We were overwhelmed with the number of people! It was so hot - everyone was in the ocean! It was fun, and we stayed for a couple of hours and then headed back to wait for Whitney, Laura, Ben, and Luke.

On Sunday, Grandad and Mimi came. I tried to go shopping but had a very bad dizzy spell and ended up sitting in the car with the ac going. Pretty bad to be at the outlets and be so sick! I made up for it later - my shopping time! Then I went back and slept for a few hours. The heat must have set me off. I made sure to keep getting in the water and to drink water or lemonade. I had two great books and could hardly put them down, but did to cool off and play with the boys. Sam and I built a great sand castle - complete with loader.

On Monday, Pete took all of the boys and Grandad to the water park. They had a GREAT time until it briefly stormed. They rode and rode the slides. My dad went down one and was very disoriented in the three foot deep water. Pete saw him, but the lifeguard did too and pulled him up. The next time they went down, Pete went first. He thought surely it would not happen again, but it did; and Pete pulled him up before the lifeguard (a different one) even realized what was happening. It was God who made the first one see him. He was so exhausted (my dad) that he slept under a tree for a little while. It gives me shivers, but I was also thankful. My dad rode those slides like he was in his 20's, but he is almost 67! He loves it. We will just make sure Pete goes with him to any water parks.

While they were gone, we went to the beach and then went shopping. It was fun to shop with the girls for a change. After they left, Peter and Will actually went shopping with me - well, they went to Dick's and Adidas while I ran into some places. I wanted to try to Christmas shop a little but did not bring my list. But I had fun baby shopping for the four or five babies I know coming in a few months! And two of the boys needed school shorts, and I found those and can check them off my list in June!

Everyone left on Wednesday except our family. We went to the beach and played mini golf. Guess who won by one stroke? They could not believe Mommy won either. Sam and I both got a hole in one on the same hole. He was as excited for me as for himself! I wish I had pulled out my camera when the dinosaur moved. Sam was trying to decide if he was going to get him!

We also saw Toy Story 3 on Tuesday which was fun. We took up the whole back row practically! It was nice and cool, and everyone enjoyed it - except for Pete who expected more!

Today we came home. We left at about 10 and got home before 5. We did not have bad traffic, and we have unpacked and washed all of our stuff! Tomorrow we have all day to work on the house and go to the store! My boys eat all of the time! But I am not complaining - I want them to grow! Will has already been out mowing and visiting all of the neighbors. He missed being home! We are happy that we are all so excited to come HOME from vacation! That's a good sign. Andrew immediately got out his summer reading so we can look for his books this next week.

Pete's Father's Day gift arrived while we were gone - a canvas of a picture I took of the boys a couple of years ago. It turned out great. He said he could not wait to take it to work - knowing I already have a special place for it in the den.

Better sign off. Sam is waiting patiently - for now.