On Tuesday, October 20 we set out for DTW to fly down to Myrtle Beach for our South Carolina Fall Birthday Extravaganza! All the fall birthdays (mommy, Mateo, Isabel and stretched out to Paulina) got a birthday flight courtesy of grandma Rose and grandpa Bob so we could visit with the Masons and Mazie and Aunt Erin on a visit from San Diego. What a treat! Our flight was pretty good, though Paulina was a busy body in the airport, she maintained her track record of easy traveler and we had a non eventful flight down. Mom/Dad had rented a van to pick us up in Myrtle Beach (about 3 hours away from Columbia...but the flight costs for all 4 of us were about the cost of one flight into Columbia!) and we high tailed it into the city to have dinner with everyone!
Crazy Mazie Hair...as she wakes up :) She got very close to taking a step while we visited but I guess she decided to save it for daddy at home. It was very fun to see her though and she sure is a sweetie!
Dinner at Riglaw Circle. Spaghetti, Lasagna and garlic bread, yum!
These pictures are not in order unfortunately but at one point we celebrated Mateo's birthday with cupcakes. 2+3=5!!!
Mateo takes a break from the obstacle course that Kendall set up to run in and blow out candles!
Mom and Dad with all their grandkids under 7...I love grandma Rose's face in the bottom pic :)
Mateo LOVED his present...an awesome scooter and everyone got to try it and we even packed it in the suitcase to take home. (mom had to dump 2 pairs of shoes to make weight on our checked bag!)
Another meal at Riglaw Circle...I think this was after the girls slept over and we got donuts!!
Dad fixed the microwave! Amazing!
Again, not in order but one day playing the backyard consisted of "sleeping out" and they made these beds.
The South Carolina State Fair...corn dogs, elephant ears, slurpies and lemonade! First we ate, then we rode some rides, watched the pig races and then went to the petting zoo area. It was our warmest day during our visit at over 80 degrees.
The big kids ride the motorcycles while Paulina and Mazie look on. Paulina was not a happy camper so we high tailed it after this to the carousel!
The gangs all here! except...Aunt Maeve must be taking the picture!
Again I'm sure we're out of order, but after babysitting one night so mom could sleepover at the Masons and play Euchre, Isabel and I went out for her reward pedi and my birthday pedi and we did a little shopping! She wanted to get this onesie for Mazie...
I think this was my favorite activity during the whole visit. Day drinking, rocking on the Mason's back porch and listening to their jukebox. A little cat and hot tub aren't bad either!
Before Mazie left we went to Boo at the Riverbanks Zoo. Paulina had a blast! We also rode the little train, but it was too dark for pictures!
Monster Mash Dance Party!! Avery sure has the moves. I remember a few years ago Mikey really busting some moves at this same activity!
Dinner at Fatz on Saturday the morning Mazie and Erin left...it was a fundraiser for Stepping Out, the Mason's girls dance studio. Avery shows Paulina some apps. Love this picture.
We found a snake in the pool!
It was beautiful weather the whole week until we left...it rained the last two days so the last day in Columbia we hit the mall for a bit and played in the play area and rode some rides :)
We had fun trying on masks and trying to scare each other and Paulina...it didn't work!
Trivia Night could have been an epic fail as it got canceled wihout us knowing after we had already secured a babysitter and everything! ...but we downloaded an app and had an absolutely hilarious adult night out while Isabel and Miss Patty babysat everyone.
On Sunday we went to Nate's birthday party. Paulina ended up falling asleep so she stayed behind while Isabel helped Uncle Aaron grade papers.
Mateo had an absolute blast searching through this corn bucket for treasure...he and Spiderman found the bulk of the chocolate gold coins and ate them while everyone else was distracted!
Our last night out we went to Red Bowl by Kendall's dance class and I got a birthday feast! Sushi roll and spicy orange chicken and a Magic Hat #9...all of my favorites!!
It was another wonderful October visit to SC - probably the best weather of all of my visits in the last few years...and it was extra special to see and hang out with Mazie and Aunt Erin...though of course I failed to get a sisters picture. Oh well, can't win them all. The cousins had fun to as they got a lot of time playing in both backyards and riding the corvette at the Masons in addition to all the pictures of activities posted here. The last morning we picked up another rental van and headed out to Myrtle Beach. The flight home was probably even better than the flight in and we were home in time to see everyone before bed and I got the whole next day off (my birthday) to recover and relax before heading back to the daily grind. I am truly blessed by my family and God, that is for sure!
(more pictures here at MOM and DAD's blog)
Mateo had an absolute blast searching through this corn bucket for treasure...he and Spiderman found the bulk of the chocolate gold coins and ate them while everyone else was distracted!
