Fifth Anniversary: Hilton Head with Kellogg Crew

This summer is our fifth wedding anniversary. We were planning on taking our very first trip on our own, no kids. I was both excited and nervous about this. Excited to feel what it's like to sleep in, eat whenever you want, do whatever you want. Think of nothing but what you feel like doing. I was nervous to be away from Bailey and Sawyer. (What if something happened? What if Sawyer didn't understand? yada, yada.) We decided to just keep the trip local, go to Savannah, and only be gone for two or three nights. I could handle that. My mom was going to drive down to watch Bailey and Sawyer. Well, for various reasons, the trip didn't end up working out, so we still have yet to experience our first trip sans children. But my Mom, sister, and her friend ended up driving down for a few days, and we all went to Hilton Head together. In some ways, it ended up being even better because we still got to be with the kids, but we had lots of help, and Skigh and I got to have a night to ourselves to go out and have a nice dinner, plus we got to spend time with my family. It was such a fun trip. 

We love Hilton Head. It's such a relaxing, beautiful place. There's something about being by the ocean that makes you not have a care in the world.

Our first day on the beach was a Sunday, so we mainly did a lot of walking and digging in the sand.

We also discovered something about this guy. He HATES the beach. He hates the sand between his toes. He hates the wind in his face. He hates the feel of the ocean on his feet. I definitely didn't see this coming. Bailey has loved going to the beach since she was a baby, so I just assumed all kids did. Not this kid. It took a lot just to get him to put his feet in the sand. And it didn't last long. Actually, as the trip went on, it only seemed to get worse. We would be playing catch with him on the blanket, and if the ball went into the sand, he would go to the very edge of the blanket, foot in the air, and start crying because he just couldn't put it down in the sand. It was amusing. Maybe next summer?   

Testing out the warm ocean water.

As you can see, this was before his total aversion to sand hit. He was still trying it out. This may have been partly the reason for it: accidentally scooping a ton of sand onto himself, all over his face, hair, and clothes.

The next day, we hit the beach full force. It was the Fourth of July, and we spent the entire day at the beach.

Sawyer crashed.

Everyone else seemed to as well. That sun takes it out of you.

Bailey's mission was to pet every dog on the beach. She loves them.

How many people have a grandma who will race with them on the beach? Plus, look amazing while doing it?

Little afternoon break to get some lunch and ice cream.

Bailey backed up into Skigh with her ice cream cone leading the way.

After some food and a little break, it was time to hit the beach again. We stayed until it was dark and watched the fireworks. They were amazing. There were at least ten different places putting off fireworks that you could see along the beach at one time.

Grandma's tradition: glow sticks. They were a hit.

Next day: final day at the beach.

As you can see, I was trying desperately to stay out of the sun. Despite putting sunblock on a few times the day before, I still managed to burn pretty badly. I think I was in the water too much.

I never seem to be ready to leave the beach, but it was time to go.

We went to Sea Pines before driving home. We ate some lunch in Harbour Town, walked around the harbor looking at the boats, did a little shopping, and enjoyed the live music. Bailey and Sawyer are trying to get a better look at the band.

Always worth the trip and even more fun with family there.