Thursday, April 25, 2013

Spring Break 2013

This year for Spring Break we were lucky enough to go to Hilton Head Island.  After a long drive and a night in Lumberton, we arrived ready for the warm sand and sun.

We had a great time playing in the ocean, going on a boat ride, exploring a "mysterious island," spotting dolphins,  boogie boarding, fishing for sharks and sting rays, and just hanging out at the beach.


The Atlantic Ocean is so much warmer than the Pacific.  Even though our kids were born and raised only an hour from a beach, I think this is the first time they ever really got in and played in the water.



We went on a boat ride out to a sandbar in the middle of the bay.  It only appears at low tide, so my kids called it the "Mysterious Island," in honor of a Jake and the Neverland Pirates episode about a mysterious island than only appears at certain times.  They were pretty excited.  This picture was taken right after the captain put the boat on full speed according to Chase's request.


Madison was pretty stoked about the speed as well.




I told Abby I wanted to take her picture with Mason, so she grabbed his hand and did the pose with him.  I think she was trying to make it an artistic shot.  



The sand bar was pretty cool, but there weren't as many shells as were expecting.  Abby managed to find quite a few, but she is a digger and will get into the sand and dig them out.



After we explored the sand bar we got back in the boats and went in search of dolphins.  It didn't take long to find them.  This was my favorite part of the boat ride.



Madison told us that boogie boarding was her favorite part of the trip.  I believe it.  She loved it when she caught the wave perfectly and rode it all the way in.



The kids also got to go fishing with Gordon, my dad and their cousin, Camden.  





All of the kids caught a shark and Chase caught a sting ray too.  It was a great experience for them and one they will remember for a long time.



I have to say that my favorite part was just hanging out at the beach, digging my toes into the warm sand and soaking up the sun.  The kids entertained themselves in the sand as well as playing in the ocean.



Mason did really well- well really well for a three year old addicted to electronics!  He didn't love getting sand and salt water in his eyes, but he hung in there most of the time.  I love that he left his hat on.  Such a cutie! (at least when he wasn't whining for iphones, ipads or computer games!)

We loved our trip.  It was so nice to be in the warm weather and play in the sand!  We hope to go again next year and explore more of the island and do some more fun stuff.

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