Hitting the road!

Several weekends ago, we were overjoyed to visit our dear friends Ryan and Ivana Watkins and their sweet baby girl Evie in Johns Island. Before making our way down to Charleston though, I had a conference to attend in Columbia on Friday, so Jeremy, Magnolia, and Furman kindly escorted me down and hit the town while waiting for me. I have to commend Jeremy for braving eight hours on the town with two kids (as I think all in my family would). Though Magnolia and Furman are not difficult children by any means, they are 1 and 3 and extremely interested in their surroundings (i.e., will take off in opposite directions without any notice-at home, not such a big deal; in new places with strangers and many exits, very alarming).

Jeremy had a great itinerary though and started their morning with breakfast at Chick-fil-A. He then hit the mall to buy some new shoes for Magnolia because her old ones were too "pall" when we tried to put them on that morning (she has such a hard time with s's at the beginning of words!). Somehow, that girl always seems to get a new pair of shoes out of her daddy when I am not around! He then took them to Edventures in Columbia for lunch and a tour of the museum. Although he did admit that it was stressful at times, I think everyone had a great time, and I received many sweet photos of the kids on my phone throughout the conference.

After numerous crying bouts, being misdirected by TomTom (As an FYI, there is no Flamingo Road in Orangeburg. Only an old dirt road surrounded by shacks, and oh yeah, the two trees we encountered that have fallen across the road where Flamingo Road supposedly exists), and dinner at the Cracker Barrel, we finally made it to the Watkins around 8 or so Friday night. Jeremy and I enjoyed catching up with Ryan and Ivana each night after the kids were asleep and even got to play some cards. On Saturday, we visited the children's museum in Charleston and the beach (per Magnolia's request but only for several minutes as she was soon thereafter attacked by the tide). Following are a few photos of our time with the Watkins.

The kids LOVED the water room at the museum in Charleston.

Magnolia with Evie.

Brownie with Furman.

Calling to Brownie and Mags in the fishing boat.

Ryan, Ivana, and Evie Watkins

Magnolia feeling some beach bliss.

As good as a family shot we could get with these active kids!

I love that you can see Furman's face reflected in Ivana's sunglasses here.

On our way out of town on Sunday, we were also able to visit my college roommate, Julie Giordano, her husband Kevin, and their little girl Ella. Ella was so courteous to share her toys with Magnolia and Furman while we were able to catch up with Kevin and Julie. We had such a wonderful time visiting both the Watkins and Giordanos and felt blessed to be able to reconnect with old friends! Thank you both for having us in your homes!