Turner Family Tales: Beach Trip 2012!!

So, we went on our annual family beach trip to Hilton Head and had a great time. Daddy wasn't able to join us for a few days and ohhh my did we miss him. See, you are not really pumped about anyone holding you but Mommy or Daddy, even family, so when Daddy wasn't there Mommy was all alone taking care of you. Also, you started not sleeping for the first few days so it was me and you girl, all night long rocking, nursing, singing, watching tv. It was tough. But, I can't blame you- you were in a hotel in the travel crib (which you have really out grown) then in a new house in Hilton Head (in the bigger crib that we packed for you- side note, we packed our whole house to go to the beach for 7 days). Just on the packing, my was it a chore, but Daddy's motto for packing is "go big, or go home," so if we thought we would need it, we packed it. Now, since Daddy wasn't coming for a few days, we rode to Hilton Head with Uncle Duncan and Aunt Misty. This was great, because we got to ride in style in the nice van. You slept and I even watched a movie with Graham. It was riding in style- we had snacks, entertainment and great company. Since Daddy was passing off his girls to Duncan to watch after, he wanted to make it easy to pack all of our stuff in their van, so he bought big black travel bags and strapped them to the hood of our car. Now, your Daddy is a fierce packer and can always fit all we need somehow in our car, but since he didn't have anyone to help him tie the bags on the car (he wouldn't trust the buckle ties that came with the bag, he bought his own rope and fashioned his own straps), well here is what happened...

At least this happened on my way back from the chiropractor before our trip and not driving down the interstate. After we had a good laugh, Daddy got more rope and tied the bags again and we took off to Chattanooga to meet up with the family. We looked like hillbillies driving down the rode with rope hanging off our car and what looked like black trash bags on the hood, but we made it sans any incidents.

We drove half way Friday afternoon and stayed at the La Quinta in Dublin, GA. Since it is called Dublin, there is an Irish statue of a Leprechaun at the hotel- go figure (I wonder if somewhere in Ireland there is a city called Atlanta where they have a big statue of a peach- hmmm). Anyways, ever the red necks, we took the kids' picture by the little green man and were off to the beach!!!!

Once we got settled in and got you in your big crib, you slept through the night. It took you a few days, but you finally let your aunts and your Ya Ya hold you. I think the stranger anxiety might be fading (we hope- Daddy and I have been worried that you would never like anyone!!). We spent a lot of time in the pool playing with your toys and inside playing with all of your cousins. Although we didn't go to the beach during the heat of the day, we were able to walk on the beach at night and you loved it. Next year you will be running around in the sand with all of your cousins!

We were both so glad when Daddy came on Wednesday. I think you almost lept into his arms when he arrived. You love your Daddy and had missed him so. I was thankful to have him back too- no one can put you to bed like your Daddy.

We had a great week- we went to the Crazy Crab, played in the pool, cooked, laughed and got some great pictures, thanks to Aunt Misty. She crawled on the sand to get some fabulous shots of you in your pretty pink polka dot dress and Uncle Duncan brushed away the ants for you so none of them crawled on you- how sweet!!

Here are some pictures from our fun trip...

Ruthie Mae and Vada Jane having a blast in the tub

Uncle Duncan and the "Goober Girls"

The boys fishing on the dock

The fish were about the size of their bait, but they had a blast!

Graham and Laural Jean giggling

Pretty Girls

Ruthie Mae washed all the dishes one night! She is quite the aspiring homemaker (I think she just liked the big yellow gloves)!

Laural Jean helped me with the laundry, but she was so fascinated, she pulled up a stool to watch it. Too cute!

Vada Jane and Ruthie Mae- besties

Graham and Vada at the beach

Laural Jean playing in the "little ocean"

Ruthie at the beach

Ruthie and Vada (they look like grown up ladies in this pic)

Chillin at the beach

Loving the pool

Aunt B and Laural Jean

The Kelleys (love the hat, Graham!)

The Gholstons, how pretty

Turners (get the pale white people out of the sun!!!)

Grandpa and Ya Ya and the grandkids

Laural Jean Sr. and Laural Jean Jr.

Pretty Girl!!!!

Grandpa and Ya Ya

Grandpa putting his head in the lamp to read

Chillin with Daddy

The grandkids- Graham looks so grown up holding you!

Pretty Ruth

Goober girls all sacked out- they played full tilt all week

You on the beach...

Lovin your excersaucer!!

After we got home from the beach (12 hour drive, I might add), we packed up on Sunday morning and headed to Cullman, AL to visit Nonnie. Even though we were so tired, we had to visit Nonnie. You were the only great grandchild that she hadn't met yet!! We had a great time visiting with everyone at Paulette's. It was booger hot outside, but you didn't mind.