Kiawah 2009

***WARNING - tons of beach pictures ahead*** :)

The beach...I don't enjoy leaving it each year. I don't really think anyone enjoys leaving vacation behind and entering the real world again. But, we must do it each year. What makes leaving doable, is all the memories that are invoked when you look back at the pictures that were taken. They allow you to relive the moments all over again...until next years trip:)

We had a wonderful time this year. It was definitely different (can we say 1 1/2 year old!), but still good. We got up really early (not by choice) and spent our mornings at the beach playing in the ocean and building sandcastles. Then after lunch and naps, we'd spend the afternoon and evening going on bike rides and just watching the three kids interact (which was hilarious!). Alley and Owen (Will's son who is 2 months younger than Alley) were like two peas in a pod. They were inseparable! They'd hold hands, hug, play "roseys" (ring around the roseys), fight over the plastic wagon, and be by each others sides every waking moment. I can't wait to see how they continue to interact as they grow up. I just really enjoy being around the family each year. This beach trip reminds me each year about how important family is and how I am so glad we are a close family. I can't wait until next year! As my uncle says, only 51 weeks until we hit the beach again....;)

Andy and Alley attacking the ocean (did I say how much Alley LOVES the ocean!! She would make Andy take her out really deep and then tell him "down" - the only thing she wanted to do was be in the ocean)

Digging in the sand making nests

My two favorites

A family photo

Alley playing with seaweed

Carlee Scott and Alley playing with magnetic bears - thanks for sharing CS!

Mimi reading a story to the "babies"

Playing roseys together

trying to escape up the stairs

Caught!

Our night in the town without kids - woo-hoo!

taking all her toys in the ocean

for some reason she kept trying to do head-stands on the beach (she's Andy's child ;) )

better shot;)

happy in a hole:)

All three kids wearing their Kiawah shirts

Papa and Andy working on our alligator masterpiece, while the kids try to destroy it

We also had a photographer come out and take some pictures of our family on the beach. He did such a great job!!! If you live in SC, look up Collin Smith!! Here are a few:

Around

Andy had to work a camp this past week, so Alley and I were on our own for most of the time. We busied ourselves with playing outside, swimming in the baby pool, as well as visiting daddy at work. It was a very low-key week (whew!). Alley is so much fun to play with. She tries to imitate everything you say and everything you do, which is cute (to a point). We definitely enjoyed pointing out every plane that flew by, all the birds who chirped (who knew birds chirped so much in one day!!), and of course every car that passed by HAD to be waved to and told "bye-bye"....and on and on;) It was fun though. I do love seeing her world evolve and I enjoy watching her grow up (even though it's sad to see my baby get so big and grown-up!). I love the summer from work!! :)

We did travel to Richmond on Saturday to do some shopping and to visit Mimi and Papa. Some times you just have to get out of Farmville...Below are some photos of the day.

Papa received a package in the mail and Alley thought she needed to climb in and inspect the box...she enjoyed it way too much!

"why are you guys looking at me??"

Alley was refusing to eat her dinner (which is extremely rare!) and kept pointing and fussing at us while we were eating...we finally figured out she wanted the corn. We gave her some and she went to town on it! Here's her first experience with corn on the cob!

Still yummy:)

Now the count down begins for the BEACH! 5 DAYS! I can't wait!

San Antonio

We are finally back from a long, but fun, trip to San Antonio, Texas. Andy had his annual conference out there and we love to tag along! This year Andy's whole immediate family tagged along because they all grew up in San Antonio! They all loved going back to visit. We had a great time relaxing and hanging out with family. The last time we all got together was around three years ago...so this was a needed family vacation! Despite Alley's struggle with the time change and long flights with looooooong layovers, she did well and we managed to enjoy the trip. We did a lot of visiting and sight-seeing (which I got very little photos of!). Here's a little recap of the week...

Our first day in the hotel, this is where we find Alley...in the cabinet under the bathroom sink! She couldn't get enough of hiding:)

BOO! (her new favorite word)

Our trip to Texas overlapped Will's R&R, so we got to see him!!!!!! We had such a wonderful time visiting with their precious family:) Thank you Will and Jess for taking time away from relaxing to spend an evening with us - we LOVED it! Here's the group

Owen and Alley holding hands...so cute:)

The siblings

Still holding hands...

Gma and Alley relaxing in the pool

Playing with Gma, Daddy, and the cousins (Katie and Avery - Andy's oldest brother's girls)

Half of the group out at dinner (Andy's middle brother and his family had to leave to goback home earlier than all of us)

Alley jumping into the pool...so brave;)

so cute...Andy and mini-Andy

We had a great visit and loved getting to visit with everyone! I am completely exhausted, but it was well worth it!

Water Day

Today Alley was in a much better mood (which puts us all in a better mood!), so we decided to declare it water day:) Doesn't water make everyone happy? Well it does for the McPherson family. This morning was busy with errands and housework, so after lunch, Alley helped daddy blow up her new swimming pool (which was much bigger than I thought!). She practiced getting in and out of the pool (in the living room) and had a complete blast rolling around inside it!! Then after a nap we invited Granny to come over and hang out while we tried out the pool. We had lots of fun, even though the water was brrr cold. Here are some pictures from today.

What a happy girl...

Giving Granny high-five

Who likes the pool? I do, I do... (okay, she was actually asking for food...whats new!)

"Daddy, it's still too cold!"Thirsty?? (she's drinking water from her watering can)

Okay, so our house SHOULD be super clean because this little lady LOVES to sweep...so we put her to work:) Here is the little lady cleaning the dining room...She gave her father the dust pan to hold...bossy little thing;)

Oh God is good:) ...she even cleans up after herself!!

I hope everyone enjoyed this sunny and hot day!

Weekend trip

It's been awhile since I've updated the blog...we just really haven't been doing much that is photo worthy ;) As of Thursday, the school year finally ended for me! Woo-hoo! Our first summer adventure was a trip to Roanoke for a racquetball tournament. Andy and his assistant, Isaac, started playing racquetball several months ago and thoroughly enjoy the challenge. They thought it would be fun to see how well they would do against people who have been playing for years (and seem to take it way to seriously;) ). They ended up winning!!! The two underdogs who haven't even been playing for a year...won! Can you tell I'm proud:)
We had a great time in Roanoke visiting friends and just getting summer started off in the right way. Here are some pictures...

This picture was taken a week ago - we bought Alley some sidewalk chalk for her to play with...she enjoyed it for a second...I think mommy enjoyed it more;)

Alley completely absorbed in a book at Barnes & Noble - just like her mommy:) We needed to waste some time while waiting for Andy to play, so this place was great!

Alley's first bubble bath while in Roanoke...she loved it, but couldn't stop "eating" the bubbles...While driving around (wasting time again) we found a garden with paths and water fountains...so we got out and looked around...here we are sitting still for a split second:)Looking at the fish, who went into hiding when Alley came around...they must already know her!Sniffing flowers...we're still working on her not eating flowers and leaves...why does everything look like food to her?!!walking along the stonesHere she was hiding from us in the hotel room, between our bed and the wall...and she got stuck...it was actually funny to watch:)

All in all we had a great time:) We are all exhausted (I'm sure Andy is more than we are) and very happy to be at home...we've got just a few days to enjoy home before we're off again on our next trip!!! Can't wait;)