Georgia and Hilton Head

On July 15 we took off for a "beach" vacation. We had in previous years spent a day at Virginia Beach, and a day at Sandbridge . . . but never taken a "beach trip."

We started the trip off by driving to Statesboro, GA where Ben's aunt and uncle live (as well as their children - Ben's cousins - and their children's children). Grandma and Grandpa Van Tassell, as well as Jessica, Andrew, Becca and Amy (Becca's sister) flew into join us. The Cork's were kind enough to take our family of six in for the weekend (thanks especially to Laney and Lindsey for giving up their room). The first day in Georgia we spent at The Clubhouse at Hackers (thanks to the owner Darin - one of Ben's cousins). It was awesome!!!!!!! Darin and Netra gave us the royal treatment: mini golf, laser tag, nerf zone, private bowling lanes,



and batting cages.



It was so much fun. (I was not the best photographer on this trip. I am still hoping to get some pictures from others to fill in the gaps. As soon as I do I will update the blog with more photos.)

The kids never wanted to stop doing whatever it was that they were currently doing to move onto the next thing because they were just having too much fun. The Cork's zip line and tree house were a big hit!



We did everything from Michael and Harrison shooting BB guns to Emma, Sarah and Gracie playing with every toy in Gracie's room. We swam in Chris and Lane's pool. The girls played for hours with Amy in their outside playhouse. Michael fished and canoed with the Miller boys and Harrison in the backyard. We played baseball in the front yard.


We chatted and chatted and got to know each other. (This was my first time meeting many of these relatives!) Oooohhhh and we ate! And ate, and ate, and ate. That was truly some Southern cooking. I think it was Steve who said, "This is better food than you could get at any southern restaurant." He was right! I have to say . . . I never really knew how good a Georgia peach was until I ate a fresh one in Georgia. YUMMY!!! We went to the Farmer's Market -- got way too many bags of kettle corn, tasted some honey and Thi food, danced and played with some wooden puzzles.


And on Sunday we got to go to church at the Statesboro Ward. The kids had a great time going with their second cousins. This is Jessica and Sarah in their matching church attire.


It was an awesome vacation, and we hadn't even left for the beach yet!

On Monday we left Georgia for Hilton Head, NC. The beach house was beautiful, the view was beautiful, and the company was even more beautiful. It was so much fun spending time with Ben's parents, our siblings, the Statesboro Van Tassells, Millers and Corks. Family is an amazing thing -- it truly binds people together. I am so glad we are lucky enough to be bound to wonderful, sweet, kind, amazing people.



So, for the next four days we spent our time on the beach swimming,



saving starfish,



watching dolphins,



catching fish and crabs,



burying people in the sand, taking walks on the beach, eating delicious food, playing games, reading books, playing soccer, going on a date to get ice cream, playing with second cousins every waking moment and loving people I had just met.