Beach Trip 2010

We just returned from a lovely trip to the beach.  Last year we went two times with our good friends the R family to Santa Rosa and just loved it.  We both like going on the 4 day weekend trips instead of the week long ones (which is really good for all of the fair complexions in my house!).  BUT, due to additions in the R family and the horrible oil spill, we decided to try out the East Coast this year and headed for Hilton Head!  The boys did so well on the way there...we were stuck in traffic for a bit, but managed to only stop twice.  They are such troopers!  We stayed in a hotel in Hilton Head since the prices were a little high for us (in saving mode, baby!) and let's just say that we won't stay there again.  The R's were on the other side of the place, so we were really disjointed in our meals and plans....but, we made the best of it (again, the boys were so excited to be in a hotel...it gave me a huge encouragement that they will do well when we all get to go to China!), and BOY DID WE LOVE THE BEACH!
The weather was perfect!  My boys swam in the water most of the time...(thank you swim team!).

 Jack was in the water over 4 hours everyday, getting thrown in the air and swimming back to William.  He loved it but it made me a nervous wreck!

 Ben, my animal lover, found starfish, crabs, sand dollars....all kinds of treasures that were all safely released back to the ocean at the end of the day.

 And Alex showed us his continued perseverance as he fished for HOURS....and actually caught about 7 fish.....maybe 5mm big, but man!  He was determined :)

We had so much fun at night eating with the R's and just bonding. It is such a BLESSING to be able to travel together and have all of the kids get along....just a wonderful time.
On the way there, William spotted a beautiful full rainbow that we could see for miles of driving...and it even had white birds flying across.  It was so stunning, I did not even try to capture a photo....just a wonderful memory and vision of GOd's love shining on us.  AND, when we got home, a few days later, we received our HOME STUDY draft! I have been waiting on this since July 20!  There are a few things that need to be altered, but.....woo hoo!  One small step closer!

Thinking about that red thread tonight.....

Love,
Eve