This past week we took a family trip to Charleston. My brother, sister in law and new nephew live down there, so seeing the baby was the main reason for the trip. But it was nice to have a getaway with the family since we haven't gone anywhere together in quite some time.
We ended up getting down there around 5pm, checked into our hotel, and drove over to my brother's place (I couldn't wait!!) and I got to hold my new nephew, Roman, for the first time! He was almost a month old, but still teeny tiny since he was born early. I held him, and he looked up at me, and I didn't want to let him go!! After we visited for a little while, we went to a local BBQ place we heard was good. The food was good, but a little pricey for what you got. They had these GIANT onion rings dipped in what reminded me of funnel cake. It was pretty good at first, but then it made me feel sick. After dinner we took the kids nighttime swimming at our hotel's pool. It was outside and still open for the year, but it was already dark, and so we had to pool all to ourselves.
The next morning we got up pretty early.. I didn't sleep well anyway.. I never sleep well away from home. Didn't help that the hotel bed was so firm and the air conditioning was so loud! But Arnold slept like a baby! Go figure! We got ready and then drove over to Folly Beach. Since it was after labor day, and we've been dealing with COVID this year, the place wasn't as packed as I'd expected. We walked out on this long pier and the views were GORGEOUS! It was windy and our hair wouldn't stop flying all around. We took lots of pictures of course.. then walked down to the beach. We put our feet in the water and took more pics.. we didn't wear bathing suits because it was just a quick trip. It was insanely hot and humid down there, and everytime I went outside my hair would frizz up immediately. When we were done, we went into a nearby store to get souveniers. Arnold and Brooke got shirts, Rachel got a turtle necklace, and I got turtle earrings!
That afternoon after lunch and some shopping, we went back to the hotel room to rest and take showers. That evening we met up with my brother and family at a local place called Red's Ice House. It was a big, rowdy place with lots of families and noise, but it was fun. Sweet little Roman slept through it all.. I don't know how! Anyway, I had told Arnold that I wanted some GOOD crab legs on this trip, and boy did they deliver. I had a whole plate all to myself, and I don't think I heard anything going on around me.. I was in the zone. I accidentally kept squirting juice and crab on my brother and making a big mess, haha. I even got Brooke to try one. After dinner we went to a local place called Waterfront Park, which is famous for its huge pineapple fountain and beautiful views over the ocean. I took a bunch of pics with the girls just as the sun was setting. I could have stayed out there forever!
That night after we got back to the hotel and got changed, we went to the pool again. I did something I haven't done in 10 years (yes really!) Put on a bathing suit and got in the pool with the kids! I am not big on swimming... I just don't find it very fun, plus I feel icky in public pools.. all the germs. Plus I am super self-conscious. I have gained a lot of weight on a daily medicine I take, and I just didn't want to put on a bathing suit. But I decided I wanted to be the fun mom for the trip, and surprise the kids. Boy were they surprised!! Brooke took pics and texted them to my parents and everything. Everyone was happy I decided to go. I really did have fun... the whole pool just for our family. Riding on Arnold's back and floating on my back. I also swam some laps. I'm surprisingly a very good swimmer.. too bad I waste it ;) Anyway, I'm glad I did it, and it's one of the best memories from this trip. The only bad thing was I woke up early the next morning with extremely sore upper arms.. I guess I'm not used to using those muscles in that way ;)
Saturday we got up, ate and got ready, and met my brother's family again over at the South Carolina Aquarium. It was HUGE and very nice. Once again, my little nephew slept through it all! ;) We got to see lots of sea life, huge turtles, and lots of neat things. And at the front of the aquarium going in, they took family pictures of everyone, with the cheesy backgrounds. And yes, we totally bought the over-priced corny pictures at the end because we loved them so much. And-- MEMORIES! We actually bought the digital copies, so we got all of them and we can print them and frame them later if we want.
After we were done there, we took the kids over to the local Tanger Outlets to do some school shopping. Some new clothing items, and new shoes for both Rachel and Caleb (Brooke already had gotten some.) Rachel picked rainbow checkered Vans.. I think she is going for a skater girl look this year. Haha. After shopping, we took the kids to a place Arnold had found online called the Charleston Fun Park. They had go karts, and after having so much fun back at Caleb's birthday, Arnold wanted to go again. He rode, and so did Brooke and Caleb. Rachel didn't want to go again, she said last time scared her! Afterwards we played in the arcade inside for a little while and ate Dippin Dots before dinner (hey it's vacation, so its ok!!)
That evening we went to a local pizza place for dinner. The pizza was really good, but they were HUGE! We totally underestimated the sizes of the pizzas and ended up with a lot extra we took with us. After eating, we went back to the hotel. Arnold decided to take the kids to the pool one last time, and I tried to take a nap since I hadn't been sleeping well on this trip (once again, it did not work!!) When they got back, Arnold was exhausted and went right to sleep. Brooke and I watched some old episodes of Big Bang Theory. It was strange being in such close quarters this trip with the kids, since they usually run off to their own rooms at home. But I LOVED it, because we got to see them a lot, and they opened up and talked to us, and we all had a great time.
Sunday morning we got up and packed things up since it was our last day there. We then got dressed up since Alex had invited us to their church before we went home. They go to a VERY large church, called Seacoast Church. They have very talented, somewhat famous musicians play there on stage, and the rows of chairs go up really high.. it reminded me of being at a concert! It was the biggest church I've ever been in. It made me pretty nervous, but I actually had a great time. Little Roman decided to be fussy during service... the first time during the weekend he hadn't wanted to sleep!!! haha.
After the service we went to a local place that my brother wanted us to try. They customize donuts just for you. You get to pick the glaze, the toppings, and everything. They were delicious. I got to hold little Roman, snuggle him, and give him a bottle before we left. It was really hard to say goodbye to them! We had the best time... and now that they live in such an amazing area that's not TOO far from us, we can visit them more often! ;)
We had a great trip.. and the only bad thing I can think of during that time was that I lost my mask. I have NO clue what happened to it. It was a mask a friend made me, and I wore it everywhere. So while Arnold and Caleb were at the store down there, they picked me up a new one. Turns out its gold, sparkly... and everywhere I go since getting home, people compliment me on it. So I guess it turned out ok ;) Also-- the hotel breakfast SUCKED there... due to COVID they didn't have hot breakfast, so they had cold grab-and-go stuff. Arnold got me and Caleb a bagel.... it turned out it was gluten free, and hard as a rock. Yeah.. needless to say, we got breakfast somewhere else after that experience!!
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