Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Georgia 2016

The second half of our August Adventure was Georgia. Eric's sister and her family live down there so we went to stay with them for a few days.

On our first day, Tappy took us to Wildcat Creek Falls to the sliding rock there. It wasn't the warmest of days, and the water was FREEZING cold but it was so much fun! You literally slide down a waterfall! The boys loved it and couldn't stop going down. I had to go first to show Evan it was ok and once he went, he didn't stop until we forced him to leave. Eric took Alex down and he would keep pointing at the falls to go again and again and again! Very cool experience. Apparently I have no pictures of my going down the waterfall - just video

Alex and Eric getting ready to go!

Aunt Tappy and Evan about to race

Alex and Aunt Tappy

16 of 100

Love Alex's face!



The next day we took a drive to the tallest mountain in Georgia, Brasstown Bald. It is 4,784 ft. with gorgeous views. North Carolina on one side and Georgia on the other. At one point we were in the clouds as they passed over. SO COOL! What was also nice is that they had a shuttle service that we were able to put Alex's wheelchair on and get a ride to the top. Once at the top, there were elevators to the observation deck! Another neat experience. We also made a stop at Minnehaha Falls. Eric and I visited there two years ago when we were down, but we wanted to take the boys. It isn't a long hike, but a rugged one that requires us to carry Alex and I wanted to do it now before he gets too heavy for us. We got some pictures and Evan got to climb up the falls with Tappy.

Just a scenic little gem on our way to the mountain

In the Clouds

I love this one

Georgia View

In the process of taking my selfie...
....I caught someone else taking one!

You can't tell from this pic, but he was really mad at me for the previous photo!


Eric, Niece Mindy, Myself and Niece AnnaMarie

North Carolina View

At the top of Brasstown Bald

Clouds passing through

Alex and his cousins, AnnaMarie and Brook

The Whole Gang

Tappy, Evan and Bailey climing Minnehaha Falls


Wish it was clear, I love this one

The little gang

Best one I could get

We did pretty well getting a group shot 


Another Favorite




Our final day was kind of rainy so we managed to visit the town on Helen for a bit before going out to dinner at El Patron with the whole family. It was a low key day - just what we needed.


Alex was all about Brook this trip

He loves her



Group shot at dinner....not sure what these 2 are up to
Bailey and Evan


 It was great to see everyone, wish we had more time but we decided to split the trip, so we will have to plan another visit down soon.

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.