Let's try this again...

We wanted to plan a get-a-way for our anniversary so about a two months ago Jennifer started looking for a place to go. She first searched Gatlinburg, TN. I would get home and she would have found a deal here or a deal there but nothing we could settle on. Then one day she called me at work very excited and said she wanted to go back to Myrtle Beach. She had looked at some places and it was much cheaper than Gatlinburg since it was the off season and leaf season is the peak for the mountains. So another beach trip is planned. So what lessons did we learn from the first trip? 1. Don't let me pick the place to stay - price does matter and being packed into a sardine can is not much fun. Jennifer had several places to choose and condo pricing was extremely affordable. 2. Try not to go the hottest week of the year. Late Oct - warmer than average but no where near as hot as last trip. 3. You don't have to pack everything. Shorter trip equals less stuff. The truck was full but it was not over bearing. 4. Location, Location, Location. Even though traffic was light it was nice to be right in the middle of everything we would consider doing.

We did learn from our previous lesson and planned the perfect trip and pulled it off. Here's the kids checking out the view from the balcony.

Eating on the balcony be cause we want to - not because there is not enough room in the trailer.

They loved the elevator. The watched and tried to count down or up and Ellie was excited every time the door opened.

It was warm enough hit the beach but not the water. We had all the room we needed to let them run free and they loved it.On our second day at the beach, the super low tide left behind some beach pools. Perfect for the kids to splash and play. Little to no wind and the water was warm from the sun.
Evan takes a shot at catching a seagull. He was not successful but the event did give us and the others on the beach some entertainment.Super cool showing off their shades.
Evan paying tribute to the baby blog. Charlotte was much happier. She did not get as close to the water as Ellie and Evan, but she did have a blast.This was definitely no Pirateland Campground. My first beach trip post did not include many pictures or comments about our accommodations because we choose to forget about my poor decision on booking the "trailer" after day one. Our condo was spacious and very luxurious. Our master bed room closet was the size of the room the kids stayed in at Pirateland. And we did not have to sleep on a full size mattress on the floor!!!

Pictures for our trip in June

The trailer

The babies' room

Our bed from their room in the floor of the living room

Back to Now!

We let the kids take turns shooting our picture. Ellie did the best - don't you think! Just kidding - Jennifer set it up on a table.

Indoor lazy river!!!
And heated indoor pool!
On the way home we stopped to visit with some friends in Columbia. We did a lunch/play date at the Chick-fil-A. We met up with Ashley and Anna Lou Lindler and Elizabeth, Calvin and Collin Smith. The kids loved playing together.

Where will we go next?

10 Year Anniversary

Ten years ago I was lucky enough to marry my best friend. It was a beautiful fall day - great for pictures. The changing leaves were a perfect back drop.

Jennifer and her bridesmaids
The beautiful bride
The happy couple
This makes over twenty years together. Hard to believe we have been together more years than we have been apart. The next ten years will be a little different, but we are ready for the adventure.

Look who's 20 months old!

The one biggest change we can identify is their speed and ability to all run in different directions. I think I should have trained to be a linebacker in college instead of a lineman. They even enjoy the chase.

Never too young to learn how to cut the grass. I guess I can wait until they can at least reach the pedals.

Dresses are for girls

Having triplets presents all kinds of challenges. All the stuff. All the toys. All the food. And of course all the clothes. But I think we have found a way to save on the clothes. Jennifer has mastered her first set of dresses for the girls. Her mom, aunts, and grannies were/are great seamstresses. Could it have passed down another generation? Other than home economics in Jr. High she has never had a lesson. But her results speak for themselves. She got a pattern from a friend for a pillow case dress and here's the final product.

As you can see, Evan has no dress. I have to draw the line some where. He does have a fascination with shoes. Suess (shoes) is one of his favorite words.
He likes sporting the diaper and just shoes look.

What will her next project be?

Colorful Adventure

We have allowed a little coloring with crayons but have not dove into the markers and paint - until now. We stripped them down, put them in there play yard, and handed over the paint and markers. They were real excited to try something new. They picked up on the concept pretty quick.

Evan liked moving from place to place looking for a clean area to mark up. He did get a little marked up. But nothing like the other two.

Ellie liked having a pen in each hand. She scribbled away with them.
Charlotte must be the organizer of the bunch. She found a tea cup to put her pens in while she was not using them.
How did the pens taste? Ellie still feels that everything she touches must be tasted.

Evan strikes a pose while looking for a spot to color.
Charlotte found time to cluck like a chicken.
One last shot before bath time.
All nice and clean!!!
Their masterpiece