Glenda & The Girls

Glenda, Brooke, and Cara came to visit us for a couple of days. We decided to take the girls down to Splash Island for the afternoon. Ash had to walk around with me to check things out, at first, but then she was ready to explore on her own.

I LOOOOOVVVVVEEEE this place!

Wooooo Whooooooo!Ashlyn is not old (or tall) enough to go down the slides on her own, so Cara took her down....many times! :)

Ashlyn, Brooke & Cara

Yea! We love the water!

Later, we decided to head down to the Memorial Park and Pier. We were there in time to catch the sunset. It was beautiful!

We found them!!! The park has a memorial statue and the sidewalks are lined with bricks that have been printed with the names of residents that have served our country during the time of war. Rick and Popa each have a brick (next to each other), which we are very proud to go see. I think it is so awesome that Rick and I got married here, Ashlyn was born here, we went to the grand opening of the park, and will always be able to go back...a very special place that will always have family memories!

The bricks have not been completed, but we wanted a picture anyways! Here is Popa's Korean War brick and Rick's Operation Enduring Freedom & Operation Iraqi Freedom brick. Yea!!!

Heading down the pier on the Wando River...Brooke kept reassuring me that she was fine pushing Ash & that she could see where they were going. I am still not completely convinced! Ha
After checking out the view, an ice cream break, and a small incident that lead to a change of clothes (Thank God we had some in the car!), we ended the visit with a stop on the play ground.

The swings have ALWAYS been Ash's favorite.

Cara and Brooke enjoyed getting dizzy in the swirling seats...I felt sick just watching!

Ashlyn was not too sure about the swirling seats, so we decided to hang out and blow some bubbles!

4th of July!

The 4th of July ...let's see, the weekend was long, busy, and loads of FUN! It all started on Friday...our GA family came into town and we were off...to see and do everything we could possibly fit into three days. Friday afternoon we headed to Palmetto Islands County Park to hit the slides and fountains at the toddler pool. Nana, Uncle Matthew & Jordan, Shannon, Bryan, and Aidan joined us. Some others folks disappeared...yep, you know it, they went shopping!

Ashlyn & Aidan checking out the pool & crowd before deciding to join in on the excitement.

After the water park, we went to Nana and Papa's for a Lowcountry Boil...Yum, Yum, Yummy!

We hung out for a bit & then we all went to check out the new Memorial Park and fishing pier down by the bridge. It was gorgeous!

The morning of the 4th, we were all brave enough to head to the Isle of Palms and hit the beach for the day. Traffic and parking....not too bad. Thanks to Mr. Sowell (he headed out there bright and early with the tents) we had a great spot and plenty of room for the whole family.

The beach is huge...I want to see it ALL...run,run,run!
We really do feed Ashlyn at home, I promise!

Sandcastle time!

I wonder how tall we can build our fortress?

"All of this 4th of July celebrating stuff sure makes me sleepy!!!" After spending the day at the beach, we headed back to Nana's for BBQ, etc. It was a wonderful time. Ashlyn had red, white, and blue beads for everyone to wear. After dinner, she entertained us while we waited for the fireworks show to begin. I am still trying to figure out where in the world she gets her dance moves...

We had the perfect view from Nana & Popa's neighbor. The fireworks were beautiful I was

SO glad that Ashlyn was not afraid of the noise. I think she enjoyed the evening...I did not let her hold any sparklers though. Maybe next year. She did like watching everyone else play. She and Aidan had glow in the dark bracelets and swords.

Watching the fireworks...it was a great night...all we needed was Rick!!!

I kept thinking about Ash's first 4th of July...we were at Fripp Island last year & she was only two and a half months old. Rick held her for the entire show...she SLEPT through it all!

The party was not over yet! On Sunday, we had breakfast with everyone & then we headed to the Children's Museum for a couple of hours. Well, Shannon & Aidan and Ashlyn & I did, anyway. The other ladies in the family took advantage of being downtown and hit the market for some last minute shopping.

Uncle Matt's Visit

Matthew didn't get to come home for Father's Day weekend, so he came down later that week. Rick had Friday off from work, so we decided to take Ashlyn out on the boat for her second trip. Since she didn't get to swim on her first outing, we decided it would be the perfect day....

Which button makes this baby GO?

"Hey guys...What happens if you pull up the anchor?" I'm just askin' for future references... Maybe sooner than later...Hahahahaha

Go Uncle Matt! Yea!!!

Uhhh..."Uncle Matt, maybe you should go first! I'll watch...Are you really going to drop me???"

Off the side of the boat & hanging out with Dad! We let her keep her "ga ga" at first. I think it made things seem less frightening. What a great afternoon!

Mommy, Daddy & Ash swimming in the Wando. After a few minutes, Ash was used to the water & having fun. No one ever mentioned it was like 35 feet deep! Sometimes we just don't talk about everything!