Ringing in the New Year Southern Style (South Carolina Part 2)

 If you go to South Carolina, Charleston is a must. In fact, if you want an amazing vacation, Charleston is a must. There are beautiful beaches, rich history, posh shopping, gorgeous buildings and a ridiculous amount of incredible backdrops for pictures. Bummer we were in the city mostly in the dark. Mike and I can't wait to go back, just the two of us! The city seems to cater to grown-ups a bit more than little ones.

With hungry savages our first stop was lunch at Mellow Mushroom...who doesn't love really great pizza? While we were waiting for a table, we found this lovely island of reeds, palms and forest right in the parking lot. How cool is that?

 There two are the best of friends. How I wish we could live by them!!

 These two are the best of friends too. Jace was such a great helper with Ellie.

 James and Luke were sometimes "best cousins" sometimes not. Depended on who you asked. Luke was busy with a homeless cat while we took photos.

 A little play time with our new great camera. Mike loves the techy stuff, so I'm trying to learn too. Pretty cool shot though.

 Beach play! It was SO cold right on the beach though the city weather just a few miles inland was lovely. It didn't dissuade the kids though. Especially not James and Ezra. They were all over the water play. Loved the looks we got from the locals bundled in their snow gear to take a beach walk :)!

 Here is my darling sister, Katie. Can I just say how much I love and adore her? Wish so badly we could live by each other. Here are just some of the reasons she is so great: She isn't fazed by anything, she had a baby six months ago and not one time in a week did I ever hear, "Oh, we have to give the baby a nap or I need to feed the baby." Nope, she just rolled with it all and had a smile the whole time; she is low drama; she is a great listener; she has her priorities straight; she's confident with who she is and doesn't feel like she has to try too hard, for anyone; she cares lots about others, in fact she was helping someone move on Christmas Eve and was happy to do it; she's beautiful; she has a great sense of style without even trying; she can work out harder than anyone I know and likes it; she's a GREAT mom; she has awesome hair; she's dedicated to the gospel; she married a great man; I love her kids like my own; she always wants what is best for me; she never acts put out, annoyed or grumpy; she doesn't need a lot of sleep; she's happy to sit on the phone with me for hours; she's a good cook; she makes incredible treats; she loves me and always has...she's seen me often at my worst, ugliest, meanest, stupidest and most selfish and she's STILL my biggest fan. I love you lots and lots. Thanks for a wonderful week!

 There was a playground at the beach that we also took full advantage of. Surprisingly 20 degrees warmer too!

 Luke is NOT a fan of the cold.

 James is a fan of the swings!

 I love this picture of Katie's family on the steps of an old church. How cute are they all together?

 We headed to downtown Charleston to celebrate the New Year!

 They had fun crafts, singing and activities for the kids.

 We stopped at the dark pier for a little night swinging. Paul, Katie and Spencer's friend, came with us and the boys ADORED him. Really, is there anything cooler than a 16 year old, athletic kid that is super nice to rugrats, carries them around and sings popular songs from the radio at the top of his lungs while we walk down the street. Our crew was quite a sight!

 The boys peeking in the windows of an old church.

Our little spies...it was awesome. Jace started a game that kept them happily walking through the entire town of Charleston as they pretended to be spies. Love 7 year olds and their imaginations! So, just in case you couldn't tell, we had a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!