Hilton Head

...Hilton Head 2016...

...this trip is anticipated each year like a dog anticipates his nightly meal...we talk about it...we plan and shop for it...we look through old pics to remind and prepare...and we pack for weeks to make sure we don't forget anything for the annual trip to Hilton Head...

...and this year we got to ride in a plane Daddy got from Europe before he sold it off...

...spoiled isn't even the right word...

...he stayed strapped in and quiet for all of about 20 minutes...it's too hard to sit still when Daddy is flying and Chase is running up front...

...literally these pictures are real...but they certainly don't seem like it...and I took them...what an experience traveling private...

...and yes, there was a third pilot on board...

...so Daddy could chill out some too...

...we had arrived with Mr. Shad for a week in the sun...

...and it didn't take long to settle into the condo...this is our third year and the kids remembered their bedrooms and other little details from the moment we arrived...

...the beach in Hilton Head is great because it is so wide and the ocean is shallow for a very long way out in the water...it's truly the perfect place for families full of little people...

...Paxton loves his hats...he wears them better than the other two ever did...

...Hilton Head has also been great for making friends...Shad has invited families with children of similar ages which makes vacationing that much better...

...for the kids...and the adults...

...and my Ava Belle loves to bond with an older girl...she had some great fun...

...we explored some new restaurants this year...although they all have hour plus waits...the food is good and the seafood is plentiful...

...and the restaurants have fun places to play while you wait...and gorgeous views...

...and this is the spot of the Hilton Head evening...every night but one..Greg Russell takes the stage and the kids sit up front and sing along with him and laugh the evening away...from 8:30-10pm...

...but during the day...we acted like we were the performers...

...this one and his hats...

...and his smiles...he's either super super happy...or really mad...which usually involves a sibling or two...on both sides of that coin

...this picture is a mandatory...Pax's first trip to HH was when he was 6 months old and we've been doing it ever since...

...but this might be the last year tossing him in the air....

...getting three smiles at the same time was more than I had in me on this particular night...

...we finally ventured to the top of the lighthouse this year...114 steps and every member of the family walked themselves up and down...we were very proud of all of them...

...and the views were incredible...

...so this 3rd year of a wonderful trip didn't disappoint...Hilton Head is our the happy place for our family...where the meals are perfectly timed and delicious...the daily beach/lunch/pool schedule leaves us longing for that level of relaxation all year through...the swimming skills always grow leaps and bounds with seven days in the water...the sibling bonds grow deeper with sleepovers and so many days of togetherness...the conversations help us continue to learn the uniqueness of each of our children and we remember the importance of time unplugged...

...so thank you Mr. Shad...as always...for hosting us at your family place filled with your memories...we are creating ours here too...