Hilton Head Highlights 2012

We're back!  Did you even know we were gone?  The kids and I just returned from a week long trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina.

One of my friends invited us to spend a week at her family's condo in Hilton Head and I simply couldn't say no to an inexpensive beach vacation!

The crew consisted of my friend and her 2 children (age 2 and 4) plus me and my children (age 2 and 9  months).  So 2 adults with 4 children 4 and under.  Some may call us crazy but we were bound and determined to have FUN!

We departed early last Friday morning and drove down to Hilton Head.  It took us 14 hours, but we made it all in one piece and we retained our sanity :)

Nora all buckled up and ready to go

Our days were spent at the beach, the pool, cruising around the island on our bikes, playing at the splash pad, taking walks, and going to the playground.

Saturday we visited the beach and enjoyed the waves and sand.  We also went to the pool and took a walk.

Sunday we again visited the beach.  We also rented bikes with kiddy trailers and rode around the island.  It was fun for me...Nora did not enjoy the trip as her brother was constantly messing with her.

This is how Nora took her morning naps on the beach :)

Running from the waves

Heading to the beach

Monday was an adventure.  We set out to visit a lighthouse but in an attempt to save money by not paying the admission fee we decided to get there via the beach.  So we loaded up the kids and rode our bikes to the beach.  As soon as we reached the beach the winds picked up tremendously and it started pouring rain.  To say it was difficult would be an understatement as the kids were screaming, it was cold, we were riding through sand, and getting pelted by rain.  But the rain didn't last long and we continued with our ride.  We made it to the lighthouse.  They also had a playground the kids enjoyed.  The rest of the day was spent recovering from the arduous bike ride.  I think we rode over 10 miles in the heat, with an extra 50 pounds attached to our bikes, and through sand.  Needless to say we got a good workout and everyone was exhausted by the end of the trip.

The kids at the end of our long bike ride

Tuesday we went to the splash pad and played in the pool (more pictures of that at a later date).  Sawyer developed a high fever that persisted through the rest of the trip.  But as long as he had medicine the fever stayed away and he was able to play.

Wednesday was our final day.  We went to the beach in the morning.  Then we spent the afternoon cleaning the condo.  We left after supper and drove to Charlotte, NC.  We arrived late and Mr. Sawyer never fell asleep in the car.  He was up until 1:30 am!

Sawyer thought he was so funny putting on Nora's onesie

splash, splash, splash

Thursday we drove the remaining 8 hours home.  And it was a pretty pleasant trip thanks to several videos.

We had a blast!  It was not a typical relaxing beach vacation where you lay around in the sun and read.  But it was such a joy to see the kids having a blast at the beach and the warm tropical weather was an added bonus!