Beach Pix from the Carolinas

Myrtle Beach has plenty of beaches to enjoy, so we enjoyed as much as we could over our spring break trip.

Our rental apartment is part of a bigger complex that has its own beach. We went out the very first evening when we checked in.

Looks lonely

Looks happy

Looks wet

Looks like he has a hotel in his head

That's better

We tried to see a sunrise the next morning but only saw a bunch of other interesting stuff, starting with a crab hole. At least, we deduced it was a crab hole based on the "footprints" around it.

Maybe there's more than one crab?

The birds were out in force, including plenty of gulls and one extra-cute sandpiper.

Gull gang hanging out

A happy boy

Sandpiper in action

Sunrise with clouds

That was the best sunrise we could find all week. Maybe we will have to go back...

Random Bits of Minnesota Trip

Our rental house in Minnesota had a hot tub, which saw a lot of action from the children (and the adults too). 

A happy girl

A bearded girl!?!

More in hot water

The massage chair in the house was very popular with my daughter.

Doing "school work"

The sunrises were beautiful, and easy to see since we were on East Coast time for the first couple of days. 

Sunrise at the lake with a morning star!

The other direction with another morning star!

The sun also rises

My wife and I went out to eat at a local restaurant on their outdoor seating. It was the day after hunting season started, so they had a donation bin out front in the parking lot.

What do they want?

Huh?!?

I guess if you only hunt for the meat, this is a good way to dispose of the hide. Since the season just started, the bin was empty.

At one of the stores, I saw the biggest Rice Krispy treat ever!

What the yum?

The kids built gingerbread houses, though they were quick to eat them.

Done decorating

Toward the end of the trip, we ran out of desserts at the house and had to go to a local bakery to get treats. One cookie was so amazing, I had to take pictures.

A happy customer!

Cookie close up

Cabin in the Woods (Day 2)

On our second day at the cabin (or first full day if you count days like the British count floors in a building), Jacob woke me up early (5:30 a.m. local). We watched some videos and saw the sun rise over the lake.

Sun coming up

Sun a little bit higher

Later on, when other people woke up, we had some breakfast and then went outside to have some fun on the swing. Jacob and Grandpa had lots of adventures outside, visiting the tree house, wandering the trails, picking up sticks, and other fun.

Jacob ready for adventures

While Jacob and Grandpa were outside, Lucy played inside with Granny, first building a massive construct out of Legos and then, when everyone downstairs was awake, playing grocery store with the plastic food.

When Jacob came back in, we started playing lightsaber fights. That was a lot of fun for me and yet another bit of Star Wars for Jacob.

Jacob challenges me to a duel

These sabers made noises like in the movies, but I made noises too!

Parrying the blow

We may break down soon and let him watch the first movie. It's time to have that conversation with my wife!

The day was quite relaxing, ending with a bit of zombie mayhem as I taught Nate and Helen how to play Grave Business, a fun zombie game that would come back again the next evening.