Back home in Maryland - your typical play dates and cupcake making

It was a long drive back from Florida, but Lily was truly a trouper and hardly complained the entire 14 hour drive back.  She seemed satisfied with a Happy Meal for lunch and lots of movies to keep her company.  Chris and I feel so lucky to have such a great traveling partner.  Now, if she could only do her share of driving.

Because we made it hone in one day, it gave us the entire weekend to get everything back in order.  I mean to have play dates and make cupcakes.  Somehow the unpacking, laundry, grocery shopping and car cleaning all got done around Lily's fun.  Not sure how... but glad Lily had a fun time.  I guess we owed it to her for being so good on the trip.

Gianna, Mary Grace & Lily enjoying some tubs of water and sprinklers on a nice 80 degree day in April.  Definitely a nice transition back from Florida.

There was a lot of dress up going on after the sprinklers (Gianna, Mary Grace & Lily)

And don't forget cupcake making

Downtown Disney

Instead of hitting the Disney parks during our Florida visit, we decided to go instead to see a Cirque de Soleil show at downtown Disney.  Lily enjoyed the shopping and we all loved the Cirque show.

Spring Break Round 2: Florida

Due to Mom having to work in Florida for a couple days and Lily having a couple days off the week following Spring Break, we decided to extend our vacation and spend a second week in Florida with Grandma Merry, Andy & Poppa Ronnie (aka Pepperoni).  Lily was so overjoyed to see Grandma & Grandpa and to hang out with her dog Andy.  She fell right back into walking, feeding and giving her dog his biscuits.  Those two are like two peas in a pod.

Pappa Ronnie, Lily & Grandma Merry at Wiregrass

Lily at the park at Ft. Desoto

Kim & Lily enjoying the warm water at Ft. Desoto

Lily enjoying the extra large sno cones

Off to Gators at Madeira Beach for some grouper sandwiches

They even had horse back riding

Lily was very fortunate to get the chance to go on a pony ride during our visit to Seabrook Island.  She was so excited to ride "Lucky" and she chatted to him the entire ride.  

Excursion to Myrtle Beach

It's been fifteen years (maybe more) since I've been to Myrtle Beach and it was Chris' first time, so we sort of didn't know what to expect.  There were definitely lots of amusements and fried food.  A fun day, but glad it was just for the day.

The candy shop was a favorite (Lily & Sarah)

As was the giant ferris wheel (or sky wheel thing)

Sand volleyball in the background (Lily, Julie & Sarah)

Nice view of the beach and boardwalk 

Just another day at the beach

Despite the fact that Lily freaked out about hermit crabs getting her... we managed to find a spot on the beach that was relatively crab free.  Other bonus about this beach:  it was private, the pool was located just up the steps, there was a great little uninhabited island with a bird sanctuary that we could kayak to and there were plenty of dolphins close to the beach and close to our kayaks.  What more could a person ask for.

Lily & Julie making drippy sand castles

Julie, Sarah & Lily - taking turns getting buried in the sand

Wave jumping (Julie, Lily & Sarah)

Learning to boogie board (Lily & Mom)

How many kids can fit in the sand hole? (Lily & Sarah)

Dinner... dinner... dinner... vacation style

As most of you know... fixing meals while on vacation is one of our favorite family things to do.  This spring break was definitely not an exception.  There was more cooking going on in the kitchen than even I could keep up with.  

Lily & Chris in the background (getting dinner started off right)

Julie filleting the days catch of sheepshead

Sarah baking (as she likes to do)

Dinner success! (Lily, Julie & Sarah)

Charleston Excursion

While all the guys went out fishing for the day, the girls got to be tourist for the day in Charleston.  We had an amazing lunch at Magnolia and got to enjoy the sites in downtown Charleston.

Lily & Sarah

Julie, Sarah & Lily

Lily & Mom

Great view of incoming cargo vessels from the waterfront park

Sarah & Lily hamming it up

The infamous pineapple fountain

Lily & Julie

Easter evening

After several freezing cold Easter's... being able to go to the beach and play in the waves on Easter evening felt absolutely amazing.  It was our coldest day in South Carolina but that didn't keep us from enjoying the sand in our toes.  What a great way to spend an evening.

Lily getting ready to brave the waves

Julie, Lily & Sarah wave jumping

Julie & Lily absolutely looking like drowned rats

Lily trying to convince Tyler to let her play football

Easter

Amazing how the Easter bunny always figures out where we are. Lily got to enjoy waking up with her friend Sarah to their easter baskets and eggs hidden out on the deck.  Then we headed to the beach and the pool.  Then finished the day decorating Easter eggs and learning to ride bicycles.

Sarah and Lily with their Easter baskets

Hunting for Easter eggs

The note left for the Easter bunny.  Hilarious!

Sarah & Lily enjoying time at the pool

Easter eggs have been decorated

Lily's first time trying to ride a bike without training wheels