As much as LOVE the Pawley's trip every year, I truly hate to blog it every year. So many amazing pictures, so many cute kiddos, so much cutting and pasting! The good news is that if you wait long enough someone else will blog it and you can just steal theirs. I believe Cameron was in full nesting mode even with her blogging and her Pawley's post was amazing. So she is the lucky one I am stealing from this year. It really would be a shame for such an awesome post to be on only one blog right?
Thursday morning, we were up with the birds to see the beautiful sunrise over the Atlantic. Priceless.
The kids were out on the beach and ready to go.
After a wonderful breakfast, we headed to the ocean to hit the waves. Keep your eyes out for Allan (AKA "Big Al") who was snorkeling around pretending to be a shark by capturing unsuspecting boogie boarders.
Lily and Margaret Anne preferred to stay out of the water for most of the trip. However, Lily was very brave and had a blast despite her fears.
These three little siblings would have been happy to stay inside a lot of the time, but we got them up, off the electronics and out the door where they realized God really does make more entertaining spaces than people.
I missed Chris's great wave, but believe me - it was awesome.
One of my favorite things to see is Sarah Ellen, smiling with her whole self.
Allan and James both were so kind to take Austin out to ride the waves on the paddle board. He is one lucky little guy. I could have never managed that - even if I wasn't pregnant and I was riding solo!
The big kids played great together the entire time. However, Matthew got a little too much joy from throwing pluff mud on Abigail. I wonder if our years of innocent boy/girl time may be numbered.
This year, Lily, Margaret Anne, Sarah Ellen and Olivia were on a quest to develop a shell clubhouse under the stairs. Austin and Porter joined in on occasion, but I think that they just didn't share the girls' passion for organization.
The jellies were out in full force and were the culprit of many stings and trips to the showers. Thank goodness moon jellies are not highly venomous.
Jason's headwear design is always impressive.
This picture is priceless. Matthew convinced Taryn to give him a ride back while he carried a giant male blue crab ON the paddle board. He held its gills in the water for good measure. It wasn't just Lily who was brave this year, Taryn has learned a lot about life with boys as well.
Matthew thought that throwing a cast net while paddle boarding was a great idea. I'm sure he got his balance and athletic ability from his mother.
Gross. Cute, but gross.
The kids decided to take some of their frustration out for the many stings on this (hopefully dead) beached jellyfish. It was too gruesome for Caroline to handle. In their defense, they did have a nice funeral after they buried all the pieces.
Another highlight of the trip was the attempt at shark fishing.
Braiding hair is one of my favorite things. However, I don't want the boys to have long hair, so I will have to borrow a Clum or a Weatherholtz.
Friday brought more beach time and fun, fun, fun!
Somehow, Alison stayed out of all of Thursday's pictures, but I caught her on Friday. She was quite the exerciser - paddling and even running. I wish I could have borrowed some of her energy!
Who doesn't wear leggings with their cover-up on the beach? Fashion went out the window in favor of comfort.
The "Relaxation Station" made its debut on Friday before lunch. The kids were beside themselves - and I don't just mean Allan, Chris and James!
Things were going great - until the girls were thrown off their seats by a big wave. They were so brave but decided it was meant for the creek and not the ocean!
This is the beginning of one of the highlights of the trip - when Caroline made Margaret Anne punch her loose tooth out. I still giggle at the whole ordeal.
More jellyfish first aid...
And, it's gone. Margaret Anne was heartbroken, and no amount of cinnamon rolls was going to make it ok.
After a few more stings, we all headed to the dock for fishing extravaganza before lunch and quiet time.
What a good daddy. Who else would let his son paddle downstream in a swift current and then tie him up to tug him all the way back upstream to the dock?
Quiet time doesn't last too long when no one under the age of 10 is napping. They made sure we got them back in the waves before long.
James was nice enough to stand watch over all nine of our "babies" while we made sure the Relaxation Station didn't blow away.
Time for teamwork and big fun riding the kayak on the ocean waves. Sarah Ellen, Olivia, Lily and Margaret Anne preferred the tidal pool, but they did get into the water, which was awesome!
All those trips in the backyard creek on James Island have taught James a thing or two about balancing a paddle board. Doing it on the waves with Austin is quite impressive!
The annual creek float.
My sweet baby Sarah Ellen took off to see me when she saw me on the dock(from Cameron). Luckily, Bailey rescued her because I had no intentions of getting into the creek to do so unless ABSOLUTELY necessary.
That's one sweet girl snuggling one BIG belly!
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