Close of Summer

We left Santee sad of course but rejuvenated. On the way home we stopped to get our picture taken at the state signs.

The last thing we did as a family this summer was head 5 mins up the road in VA to see the state park.

They have a fort complete with blacksmith and gunsmith. Katie loved checking out all of the animals including the bison. We even got a pin for our map at the gift shop.

We had a few more things planned but Katie ended up with Strep Throat and that put a stop to our last days of freedom. Just before she got sick she did get to watch Rick’s first softball game of the season. She had such a great time playing in the mud puddles. Eventually the entire white shirt went red because of the dirt.

We had such a great summer and with Rick headed back to class Monday I’m sad to see it end. It was so nice to have the time to venture off as a family. Katie did so many first this summer. She went to a movie, swam in a tube by herself, went boating, went to the beach etc. I’m so glad that Rick was able to experience all of them. I just hope that this school year moves as quickly as the summertime has gone. Now it is to the books for Rick, Potty training boot camp for Katie, and baby prep for me. I started my third trimester and can’t believe that in a few short months the 4th member of the Jones Family will be here.

Day 5 & Day 6 Santee More Pictures!

Tuesday was a great day to sit and relax after hitting the lake. The McArthur’s celebrated their anniversary with joint pedicures and Rick and I played with the kids in the morning. I then escaped with Lisa and Chloe for my own pedi and more girly stuff. We decided to play cards with the kids later and look for more turtles off the back deck. It was a nice easy day. Which was needed because Ken and Rick both got sunburned.

After the kids went to sleep. That is all but Katie believe me we tried. The adults stayed up to play a mean game of Frisbee Golf on the Wii.

Wednesday was a long day. We loaded up the kids and all the stuff and ventured off to Charleston SC for some shopping. We hit some great deals at the outlets and wore all the kids out.

We then headed to Folly Beach SC for a trip to the beach. This was Katie's first trip to a beach. We hit the sand at just the right time. People were headed home for the day so we had a large section of beach all to ourselves. This worked out great with 5 kids running around. Katie loved the water. Once again she had no fear and would run straight for the waves without thinking twice. I was sure she was going to drown.

Rick helped the kids build a sand castle with a moat.

We had a great time with good friends.

A few hours after we reached the beach it started to rain. It was perfect timing because we were loading everything up to head to dinner. We decided to try the Folly Beach Crab Shack, the locals recommended it. After waiting an hour to be seated everyone was tired and hungry. My food was great and Katie ate shrimp, crab, scallops, grilled cheese, french fries, corn on the cob, potatoes and when she was done with her meal, as well as mine, she went over and finished Chloe’s fruit cup. My child never eats that much!