Our Happy Place

I find that transitioning back to normal life after a week at the beach is never particularly easy or pleasant. This year was especially rough due to Collins' accident and the hassle that is not having a phone (mine died at the beach). 

It has been a week of stress and worry, multiple doctor visits, fighting boredom being quarantined inside, and dealing with all kinds of communication headaches. But we've made it to the weekend and I'm happy to say that things are looking up- the doctor said yesterday that Collins' leg is healing "beautifully" and my new phone is finally up and running!

It seems like more than a week ago that we were in our happy place- Kiawah Island. A place where our biggest stress was trying to decide what to have for lunch or what to do after a bike ride. After a trying week it was fun to look back over the pictures and remember what a fabulous vacation we had!

Even though we've been going to this beach for about 20 years, we're always struck by how beautiful it is...(amazing scenery photos courtesy of my sister, the photographer).

Weary from a long drive down, we finally arrive and head towards the beach. I always love that moment when you spot the ocean for the first time. This year, we got an added treat.

Collins didn't even wait for a bathing suit and headed straight for the water.

Our transformation to beach bum doesn't take long...

 When not on the beach, Collins wanted to don her "hat" and take a bike ride. It was really fun having her tag along this way.

Mimi and Baba taught Collins some very important lessons during the week. First was the art of microwave cooking...

then how to put the babies "night night"...

how to share your food with your friends....

how to rock...

how to "bump bump" down the stairs...

and how fun it is to get treated to a new "ee ee" every once in a while.

The weather was beautiful, but one morning we had clouds and decided to go visit the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston. Collins just learned how to say "fish" so it was appropriate timing. They had some really cool animals like an albino alligator and a bald eagle, but her favorite part was an exhibit on Madagascar Island that featured a fun safari jeep and some lemurs that were very monkey-like.

Whether it was playing "Apples to Apples" or drinking wine and listening to tunes while prepping for dinner or taking a bike ride to Terrapin Island, every moment we had together was a fun one. Also very cool- Kiawah is hosting the PGA Championship in a few weeks so we got to see them setting up the Ocean Course for the world's best golfers. We are so thankful for such a wonderful vacation and the time spent together in our happy place!