Fripp Island 2013

What a fantastic beach vacation we had this summer!!!  This was our first summer spending an entire week away at the beach.  We rented a house just perfect for us, and we didn't plan a ton.  Our only plans were to relax and enjoy family time.  We finally felt like the girls were old enough to be free spirited and spend their days on the beach, their evenings hanging out, and hitting the sack as close to bedtime as possible!  It was great fun, and we cannot wait to go back to Fripp Island next summer!

 

 

We definitely looked like the Clampets rolling onto the island.  I *may* have over packed and over prepared, but welcome to having me as your Mama or wife.

However, the amazing packer that is my husband got us there with everything I purchased and packed.

The girls were good sports about riding with stuff crammed EVERYWHERE.

We enjoyed many friends over the course of the week - Columbia friends, Eric's college buddies and their families, and even a dentist that Eric works with happened to be down there...family time was treasured and awesome, but meeting up with friends throughout the week was also very enjoyable.  Perfect blend.

The Clampets also made it to the beach with enough gear for the whole beach crowd.

The girls were beside themselves during the daytime on the beach.

 

We invited my parents down for a couple of days.  They are HUGE beach people, but they enjoy spending time with the girls and bringing treats.  Popcorn for dinner anyone?

Friends came to play with us after dinner and bath time.  If you know me and my parenting style, having friends over after bath time is a giant treat.  That's what vacay is about, right?!

My husband corrupting future Clemson girls into doing the Wolfpack "woooo wooo" hand motion thingy.

Off to the beach...the golf cart rides were almost as fun for the girls as the beach. 

Did I mention the Clampets came to Fripp this summer?  Seriously.  That was us.

Relaxing and watching TV for the first time on Thursday night....the girls were pooped.

Eric grilling.

Eric realizing we had a meat eater friend joining us after smelling our burgers.

The alligator sniffed these out.  Did I mention that I *may* have over prepared for this trip?

He decided to come a little closer.  I know the signs say, "Don't feed the alligators." But, I suppose people do in order to get friends like this away from your grill and your toes! 

For the record, we didn't feed him.  He left on his own accord.

We made it over to a friend's house for some fun one evening!

 We tested out the pool facilities one day to get a break from all the sand.

Oh, Fripp Island, we can't wait to visit you again next summer!!!

Farm Fun with Sprite

Aunt Jen so kindly invited Madeline out to her teaching barn for an informal riding lesson on a former show pony, Sprite.  Sprite is a fantastic beginner pony, and Madeline was able to ride in the ring without Aunt Jen's assistance.  It was a fabulous time!

 

However, if you are one of Aunt Jen's students, you must also do the "dirty work" involved with riding horses.  Madeline was a little "EW!" at first, but she ended up following all of Aunt Jen's directions.

 

Madeline led Sprite over to the step stool all by herself with Aunt Jen coaching her, and with a little help, she got herself up on that pony.

 

Jen is a jam up teacher!  She teaches with a loving, yet stern, style.  She's a firm believer in a good foundation of basic horseback riding skills, and Madeline responds very well to Jen's demeanor in the ring.  I have my place in this situation - outside the ring, behind the camera.

 

Madeline did well in this lesson.  Jen thinks a couple of lessons a month at this point is what Madeline needs in order to see if this is "her thing".  Madeline has some getting dirty & being totally comfortable with large animals issues to work out before riding horses becomes a family time investment.

 

At the end of Madeline's lesson, little sister was NOT to be left out.  She hopped on Sprite with no fear.  Amelia was a wobbly mess, but she was grinning from ear to ear!  She loved it.

 

Our dear friend Jen is so kind to share her love of horses with us, and we have such a good time hanging out at the barn with her!

Farm Photo Shoot

Our dear friends, Brian and Jen, live out on a farm with horses.  I've mentioned them a time or two! :)  Jen is very talented in many areas - horses, horse training, coaching students for horse shows, decorating, and PHOTOGRAPHY (and much more).  We headed over to the farm for a family photo shoot.  It was a cold, WINDY day, but she got some great shots of us.  We were long overdue for some pretty photos of us.  She captured the Stewarts quite well....we are definitely not the "studio pose and smile" kind of family. 

 

Here are a few of my favorites:

 

 We had to have a picture with Jen's show horse, Rhinestone Cowboy!

 This one was hanging onto Eric and I for dear life when Brian and Jen's new puppy came around.  But, she's not afraid of the 1000 lb. horses roaming and neighing around.

 I love this one.  Eric and I all smiles.  The girls not so much.  My vision of a family photo will not happen with a 4 and 2 year old, I'm afraid.

 This captures Amelia to a tee - FULL speed ahead at ALL TIMES!

 This captures my sweet Madeline to a tee.

 Welcome to my world - Amelia is crying about something, & I'm laughing.  I'm laughing because she's crying about something ridiculous, and if I don't laugh, I would pull all of my hair out.

 The wind was chilling all of us to the bone at this point.  Eric and I were cursing Mother Nature's cold, windy day.

 Fairy tales and Fancy Nancy pretty much sum up my girls right now...

 

No worries, Nana, you'll have prints made for your frames!  :)