Double the Love

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Myrtle Beach 2016

It's September already? According to the calendar it is, but I still want it to be summer. As always, it flew by and I wasn't ready for it to end. This was probably our best summer yet. Full of adventure, memories and fun.

After Chicago, we had about 6 weeks to rest before we were set to leave for Georgia. Roughly 10 days before we were to leave, Eric and I decided we needed some beach time, so we split our week in Georgia in half and did four days in Myrtle Beach and four days in Georgia. It was the right decision for sure. Not only did Eric and I LOVE our beach time, but our two little beach bums did too. We arrived on a Sunday and went to downtown that evening after checking into our hotel and grabbin dinner at Olive Garden. We played some games at the arcade, walked through the Gay Dolphin (Souvineer Shop) and ate ice cream on the boardwalk with the moon shimmering over the ocean.

The three full days we spent at the beach and pool with a break for lunch. These three days were absolutely gorgeous and perfect. Evan was given a Boogie Board by a guy who was leaving and couldn't take it on the plane with him. He actually caught a wave a few times and loved it!

Night two, we went to Barefoot Landing an outdoor shopping mall and had dinner at T-Bonz before watching fireworks over the water.

Night three we went to Broadway at the Beach, ate at The Hardrock Cafe and again watched fireworks.

Our final night was more low key with dinner at Abuelos (Mexican restaurant) and we went to a beach shop for some goodies.

After packing up the van, we decided to take the boys to the beach one last morning before we headed to Georgia. While sitting there a lady and her son walked by holding 2 dead jellyfish. Evan was fascinated of course and said he wanted one. A little while later they came back and brought him one, I sat it on the arm of my beach chair and told him to be careful. I forgot about it, sat back in my chair, put my arms down and that dead little sucker stung me! IT HURT SO BAD! It felt like I set my arm on a hot burner!!! Holy Moly!!! Dumbest story ever...but now I can say I was stung by a jellyfish...not my proudest moment.

The trip was amazing, we didn't want to leave, but we know that we will be back - probably next year. Here are some of our favorite shots of our Beach Adventure.

We made it!

The boys at the arcade the first night

View from our balcony

Alex and Eic

Eric's Sand Castle

Beach Shot #57

Evan catching waves

Alex and I

Evan taking it all in

Barefoot Landing

Family Shot

Broadway at the Beach

Before Hard Rock Cafe

We managed to get a kid free shot

The real thing was just gorgeous

Evan boogie boarding!

Yep....that's the little bugger

So cool!

Love this one

Couldn't stop...

Eric and his boys

The color version of the new double the love photo

Me and my boys

Alex...so cute

Eric and Evan catching waves

Told you I love the beach

Our Hotel

Alex

Evan

Myrtle Beach, August 17, 2016

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

2016 Adventure #3 - Chicago - Day 4

Our final day in Chicago was also Alex's scheduled appointment at The Shriner's Hospital. The wait was longer than I thought it would be - which is always a bit much on the kids. I figured it would be quicker than normal because we were only seeing the Ortho Doctor - Dr. Smith.

I wasn't optimistic going into this appointment. I was actually a bit worried about Alex's hips because he has been a lot tighter through his legs and scissoring a lot more. I was wrong and so thankful! There are no changes in his hips which means no surgery in the near future. We actually were cleared for a year instead of a six month return which means we will get to do another summer trip to Chicago next year!

After the appointment we went down to the cafeteria to have lunch and then the boys played some basketball before we hit the road to come home.

Evan keeping busy while we wait

Alex was talking to himself in the mirror

Lobby of the Shriner's

On Michigan Ave.

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

2016 Adventure #3 - Chicago - Day 3

July 4, 2016

Happy Independence Day! Today was eventful to say the least! We started at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Another beautiful summer day. We got to see so many animals - including a new Zebra Foal. She was SO cute. The Gorilla's were enjoyable as were the Lions - who got into a "Cat" fight. (Sorry...I had to) They really did. The male lion woke the 2 females and then wanted to snuggle. The females weren't having it and one went after the male. He continued to take his frustrations out during the afternoon by roaring and banging on a drum down below in the enclosure. This is such a nice Zoo and the best part is that it is completely free! We lucked out again this time by finding free parking along the street - SCORE!

While it wasn't the plan, we ended up spending the whole day in Lincoln Park. We found the best little spot for lunch called The Dog Joint. Eric had been craving a Chicago Hot Dog - and he got one! Great place - Good Food!

The boys wanted to stop at a nearby park, so we did for a few minutes and that is all they got. The infant swings that Alex usually uses were all taken so Eric decided to swing with him on the big swings. He was adjusting Alex when his foot slipped and they fell backwards! Alex got the worst of it. Covered in black dirt, scrapes all over his face, with dirt in his eyes, nose and mouth. He is quite a trooper - we cleaned him up, flushed his eyes and mouth and got him all set. Luckily we had a few M and M's on hand. We spent a little time in Lincoln Park itself before calling it a night. We didn't want to be out too late with The Shriner's Appointment being the next morning.