The Long Awaited and LONG Synopsis

On Friday July 17th we left for wonderful and beautiful Myrtle Beach. We started by waiting for a shuttle in the Dulles airport... We boarded a tiny little plane with 18 rows of 3 seats in each row.

After we landed, it was a couple hours before we could check into the hotel, so we headed to Huntington Beach State Park where we saw a couple (literally) of animals.

and checked out the docks the view of the inlets.

That night was SOOOo exciting (just kidding) - we went grocery shopping and hit the sack early. The next morning we rose bright and early to hit the beach. I love the look of fresh footprints in the sand...especially little footprints.

Tyler caught a few waves until one went up his nose. I saved him by the feet...it was pretty funny. Too bad no one had a video camera handy.

We went back to the hotel for nap time and reveled in the view from our room.

Then we caught an early dinner at a restaurant called Rioz, which is a brazilian...uh...meat house. They bring different slabs of meat around to your table and carve you a piece right there. Everything was SO good...especially the pineapple.

After dinner we hit Broadway at the Beach for the Birthday Celebration. We didn't find where the cake was, but we did get to see some fountains, a bunch of shops,

ride a camel,

jump in a moon bounce,

visit with some mascots,

ride some rides,

and see some fireworks.

After a late night we woke the next morning and went to church for 9am sacrament meeting, only to find out that the meeting didn't start until 10am. But we had plenty of time after church to be lazy. We did head down to the beach that evening to walk around, but not go in the water. Here is Tyler's preferred method of transportation...

There was plenty of time for some cousin love (nothing wrong with that).

Some Daddy Son photo ops...

Some kite watching,

And a beautiful sunset.

Tyler and his cousin Lucy practiced their surfing at the hotel so they would be ready for a sun-filled day the next day.

His cousin Lizzie just wanted to pose for the camera. And Lucy soon followed suit...

Monday night (after a semi-pictureless day at the beach) we decided to go to a Myrtle Beach Pelicans minor league baseball game. Tyler spent much time envying the players and hoping for a souvenir baseball.

He also met the Chic-Fil-A cow's girlfriend.

And posed as a Pelicans player.

Tyler also found a "better" way to eat a hot dog.

Tuesday was a beach filled, sun filled, sunny day.

That evening we went to Medieval Times for dinner minus utensils, and a "horsey show." We saw a castle, knights, horses, and the works.

We even got to meet the King and his daughter, the Princess.

The blue knight was our hero, even though he didn't win the tournament.

Wednesday was another fun filled beach day.

I even got the kids to pose for some pictures...well kind of.

My brother Kris had to pose with his daughter (Lucy) so she would hold still and smile. Anyone envy his tan? I do.

The next morning I got up early to see the sunrise and left both my boys in bed. It was definitely worth the lack of sleep to see such a beautiful sight.

This is my next house. I wish.

Everyone else joined me at the beach after a sufficient amount of sleep.

Our family won an award for our sand castle, which we started about 10 minutes before competition ended. We got the best team effort award.

Soon after, the sand monster destroyed it.

Daddy goofed off while cleaning off the sand.

and Mommy couldn't resist joining him.We ended our day at the "bucket pool" with the FIRST family picture that vacation. A nice lady in a blue swimsuit took it for us.

And Tyler finally decided to get super brave in the water.

We had a birthday celebration for my Mom who turned 50 on the 25th.

And then went BACK to the pool, where Tyler SWAM! All by himself!!

Friday morning we checked out of the hotel early and were on our way back to Maryland. We got one last glimpse of our hotel from the air before Myrtle Beach was gone.

It was a wonderful, relaxing trip, but MUCH too short. I think I could live at the beach and still love it.