Earlier this year, we started making plans for the eclipse.  We knew we wanted to be close to totality and started out planning a camping trip in the mountains.  Then Tobin came along and we realized, camping in August at eight months pregnant would not be fun.  For any of us.  So, we went with plan B.  A weekend beach trip and a drive down to totality.

We went to Myrtle Beach.  It’s close and slightly more affordable since all we ever do is the beach and pool.

We ate out the first night at River City Cafe (it was directly in front of where we stayed).  Ya’ll it was really, really good.  One of the best burgers I’ve ever had.

Ace got this huge Pizza Burger.

And put the whole thing in his mouth!

Tried to stay with low carbs but the onion rings were calling.  So, I compromised and ditched the bun on my chili cheeseburger.  It was still very good.

The next two days were full of sand, sun, and pool time. I’m not kidding.

As soon as the kids woke up, swimsuits went on and didn’t come off until we were back in for supper.
Sand castles were built. Races to the ocean were had.

We ventured out one evening and got some family pictures.  Since it was August, it was still very crowded and so we got some other friends in our pictures…oh well. Beautiful sky! Quick maternity pictures which I’ll do on another blog post. And Mark and I managed to get pictures with each of the kids.  I love each of their silly personalities shining through.

We left out early morning to try and find a spot for the eclipse.

May and June were just plumb busy ya’ll.  We had something every weekend and pretty much every day.  So, when we realized the girls may not get to go to an AHG camp planned for June, Mark and I decided to give up our only free weekend (which also happened to be our anniversary weekend) for the girls and our whole family to participate in an AHG family camp.  And then a week before, I got an email asking me to plan and grocery shop for the meals for camp.  I agreed because I felt the Lord was telling me to do it.  But I didn’t agree with a joyful heart.  I grumbled and complained the whole week.  Got my ducks in a row, got the groceries for around 50 people and we loaded up and went.

We got to camp and were about a 1/4 of a mile from bathrooms (don’t forget I’m pregnant ya’ll).  There was no running water on the site. And we thought that we were missing a pole to a brand new tent.   I about had a two year old temper tantrum at the campsite.  Mark made the sleeping arrangements work with our small four person tent and other large tent. After calming myself and chatting with God and friends, I decided the self-pity needed to end and I had to just enjoy it.  We found out later that the camp coordinator was told there were bathrooms right near the site and that running water would be onsite.  And as we loaded up the following evening to beat the rain, we realized the missing tent pole wasn’t missing.  We had just misread the directions. God blessed us with an amazing sunset!  Just seeing this made it all worth all the headache. Watching the kids get filthy….trekking in pitch black dark to the bathroom and making new friends.  Once my attitude adjusted, it was a wonderfully fun trip!

Last year, we planned our beach trip the same weekend as the local symphony’s annual free performance, Pops!  Under the Stars.  We made sure not to miss it this year though.  We were blessed to be able to meet up with several of our church families…which meant our kids stayed entertained, we enjoyed music and there was enough food to feed a small army.  Church people don’t starve.
It was pretty sunny and some of our friends needed to protect their delicate skin from the sun! Emmie and selfiies…yes thank you! Of course, we had to get one in.   Tot wanted one too!  He loved all the pets but the fireworks were not his friends.  He made it through though.

Plotting, planning and playing.

Our littles were super glad that some church members were home from college and literally, attached to their backs!

And Ace really got into the music.

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We stopped at a rest stop for lunch on the way home from our Ohio and Kentucky.  Turns out, some Tennessee rest stops include their own adventures.

And beautiful views.

This was a wonderful trip for our family full of lots of learning and some pretty unforgettable adventures!

The Ark Encounter is not anything that I can really post and share a few family pictures and expect you to really experience it.  It is a true personal experience that you really can grasp the enormity of unless you are actually there.  Ya’ll, there are just no words to describe how amazing it is.

I’ll do my best to share some highlights from our trip to the Ark.  We got there before just before it opened and our achy feet and tired kiddos were ready to head home by around 4.  But, in the time, we managed to see and read as much as we could.

The woodwork and craftsmanship was just astounding.  I believe over 200 Amish craftsman had a part in this and their amazing art and talent definitely shown through.

This was a great infographic that laid out the plausible way the ark could have held “all” the animals and 8 people.  I can’t imagine the amount of research that went in to this.

Taking a quick break on a wooden beam!

The door to the ark.  Just one example of how Christ is the only door to Heaven.

After exploring all day, ya gotta take a break.   Ya’ll Bryant just went and sprawled out like this.

There is a small petting zoo on sight and the highlight for our whole family were the goats.  They were so sweet and we all enjoyed petting them all.

This girl was a trooper through the whole trip and by the end of it, I realized I could turn the back seat of our double stroller around and she could easily climb in and out.  This saved my back from a thousand pick up and put downs and she loved talking to mommy when she wasn’t knocked out cold.

 

This was our third trip to the Creation Museum and it was just as good.  T The last time we were there, we had a miscommunication with Ace and he missed out on ziplining.  We made sure to get him in to this trip.  He had a blast. The petting zoo…of course, was a big hit. Emmie loved the duck which they all named Cucumber.  She would squeal each time he gave her a little nibble on her hand.   And there were chickens!  She really wanted to give them hugs but they weren’t having any of it. Ceili Rain and Emmie each choose a fox for their souvenirs!

Quick picture before we head to our next great adventure…the Ark.