Hi all

So I finally am making it back to the blogging world. This summer has been insane. And, I kid you not, this is about the third time I have sat down to do this in the past week. First, there was no internet. Then, my time got absorbed into something else and then I couldn't access my blog. I would go to it and the big ugly gray box would come up and I couldn't read by own blog! Anyway, I am back now and am ready to share with you the FUN things about our trip to Hilton Head.

We went to visit Brian's family (Meme, Grandpa, Aunt Sarah, Uncle Matt and Baby Maddux, who someday will be 21 and probably still called Baby Maddux :) ). Brian's parents have a time share in Hilton Head so every summer for the past three years we have gotten together up there. The place we stayed this time was really nice. It was pretty secluded with a smaller pool than last year and a lot less traffic. It felt more like a homey area than a touristy area. I love Hilton Head! Everything is set way back so it seems real woodsy but yet there is civilization behind those trees (Publix, Target etc). Also, and this is the ultimate highlight, they have bike trails everywhere! And I mean, these are real bike trails! Not these little spaces on the road like we have here in Fl. We pretty much ride our bikes everywhere. We could have ridden to the mall or various dinner places. We ended up renting bikes because the bike rack we bought did not work on the van. As a side note, we have decided to someday get a hitch for our van because we think it would be much more secure to travel with our bikes on there (of course, we need to get our van back first!) Although all of the days had the frustration of dealing with the insurance company, we did fit in a lot of beach time, pool time, and other fun stuff. Every year we visit this little Science Museum called the Sandbox. This is an interactive play area with all kinds of cool fun stuff for the kids. Savannah loves it! Maddux really had a good time as well. He found these little nets that were part of the ship play area. He walked all over holding one in each hand. He is awful cute!We took Savannah (and Meme) to play minigolf one afternoon. The one we went to was picked because it was shady. Boy, were we wrong. It was deceivingly hot and sunny. Savannah really did a good job. This is about the fourth or so time we have taken her but it is the first time she actually understood what to do. She is the only one of the four of us who got a whole in one! The first day we were there Savannah and I saw an alligator! I was a little nervous about walking all around since the alligator was just sitting by the side of the lake which was on the way to the pool. And, there was not really any fencing keeping them away from us! Well, we all survived with our toes (and legs, and arms ...) in tact so I guess it was safe. One day Savannah rode her bike (which we did bring in our van not knowing we would be driving home in a much smaller vehicle) to a nearby park. She was swinging (which she can do by herself) and Brian and I were sitting and talking. Suddenly, I turned to look at her and, I kid you not, she was asleep swinging! I have no idea how she didn't fall out of the swing! Brian ended up carrying her back and I got to push the bike back. The final night we celebrated Maddux's first birthday. It is amazing how fast that first year goes! He enjoyed the cake once he realized what was going on. Savannah enjoyed "helping him" (i.e. doing it) open his gifts. After Hilton Head we headed to see our good friends the Nelson's in Aiken, SC. They moved away from FL. about 2 years ago but this is the first time we have been able to go see them. It was nice to see their new place. We visited a really nice park up there and dashed between rain drops a lot of the time. We were able to visit the BEST wing place ever. It is called Wild Wings and we love it! Brian is a big wing man but we rarely eat them. Not so good for you :) However, anytime we are in SC we have to visit this place once. We really did have a good time. We enjoy the time we are able to spend with Brian's family and our friends. Hopefully we will be catching up with his parents again sometime in September.

Car news: our van needed a new bumper, grill, radiator and compressor for the air conditioner. When Brian last talked to them everything was done except the radiator, which was expected to be done today. Brian will be flying to Savannah, GA on Saturday to pick up the van and bring it back. The Camry is a nice car but I am looking forward to having my van back!

Savannah started swim lessons on Monday. She was the only one in the class! The only other child registered was a no show. So, she basically had a private lesson. She is in the pre-school advanced class which means they are teaching her strokes. She can swim, easily, 100 feet on her own. She is developing the ability to swim on her back. I am very proud of her! She is really our little fish. She also found out today who her teacher is for this upcoming pre-school year. Her name is Mrs. Linda. I am very excited about this and hope it will be a wonderful year in preparation for next year. Kindergarten! Yikes! Linda taught at UCP a while ago and then took time off to help with her grandchildren. She came back the same year I started, so two years ago. She mentioned that she has a child of her own who was very strong willed so I am hoping to learn a lot from her!

I hope everyone is well. I am truly going to try to get back to blogging!