Family Vacation

We went our first family vacation as a family of four, and it was tons of fun! We went for a long weekend to Hilton Head Island, and it was just enough time for us to check all the "must do" items off our list for Luke's first official trip to the beach (he's seen the beach before, but this was his first chance to sit in the surf, sample the tasty sand, and stare in wonder at the horizon).  

He loved the pool, the beach, the ocean, and adventuring with his big sister.  He did not love new and unfamiliar sleeping accommodations.  In a move reminiscent of Kate's first beach trip weekend (Memorial Day 2013), Luke screamed most of the first night resulting in an early morning sunrise stroll on the beach.

A theme emerges - Kate and the sunrise 2013, 2014, and 2015

Luke's first beach trip sunrise picture... I'm sure he will have a collection of these in a few years too

Hilton Head might be my new favorite spot for family beach trips.  The island is so family friendly, great bike paths everywhere and everything you could want or need to explore was in walking distance from where we stayed.  We rode bikes, took out the stroller, and even though it's not specific to the island, Kate would probably still consider it a highlight of vacation- riding in the "car" grocery cart with Luke.

The pools at our complex were amazing, and deserted, which was odd given the great, comfortable temperatures we lucked out to have this weekend.  The zero entry pool was a big hit for both kids to sit and splash plus there was a fountain and a separate baby pool we visited frequently.

Ready to hit the beach

Kate continues to amaze me with how fearless she is when it comes to the waves and ocean.  One of her favorite games was standing knee deep in the ocean and waiting for a wave to break at which point she'd yell "I sit on the wave!" and jump down on it.  Luke enjoyed crawling in the sand and squealed with glee whenever a wave washed over his chubby legs as he sat in the surf.

Coligny Park

Ahhh... this is what vacation is all about

Waiting for dinner, famished after a day of fun in the sun

Worn out after a previous night of no sleep and a day of nonstop beach

Luke slept a little better each night, and by the third (and last) night he made it until 4:30 a.m. before he woke crying, which was huge progress from the sleepless first night.  Even though vacation with two small children looks very different than vacation before kids, it's also more fun.  Especially somewhere like the beach where there is so much to discover and enjoy, seeing it through the excitement of the kids made it feel like a whole new experience for me too.  We were all a little grumpy in the car on the ride home, sad to leave vacation behind, but so thankful for the sweet memories and time together.