The colors of the gulf coast are just stunning in this part of Florida. I decided on an impulse that I wanted to take family pictures at the beach. It just seemed wrong to come all that way and not take advantage of this wonderful background. Will was kind enough to take us to the beach and snap some shots of us. Actually Will took the pictures that had the whole family and Asher took the rest. I am pleased with how they turned out. I think that came out as well as what many professional photographers would take, with this many small children involved. Hindsight is 20/20, and I did learn a few things for the next time I want to do this somewhere else. Next time I will take a fascinating toy for someone to hold near the camera. I think that would have helped out immensely. I will also try to make sure everyone's needs are met so we can spend more time during the shoot. Asher was trying to be patient, but he just really had to pee. So we did not take as many pictures as I would have liked. I think our next pictures are going to be awesome.

I republished these pictures because I discovered that in the Picasa program that I am using, there is a feature where I can give the picture a glow. I think it gives these particular pictures a more professional look.

These pictures are in ascending order because I like to use my Picasa program to blog, but it only lets me put four pictures in each posting. For those that are not too familiar with blogging, if you click on a picture you can see the full size and a lot more detail.

 

This first picture was at Bill and Debbie's house. Since they just barely missed Natalie's fourth birthday, we had another little party for her while we were there.

Amy and Natalie were best friends before the Robinsons moved away. It has been a whole year since they have seen each other with basically no contact. I was not sure how much they would remember each other. But before we left for vacation, Natalie told me that she was going to get to see Amy, because Amy was her best friend. Then as soon as we got there they gave each other a big hug and picked up right where they left off. They were practically inseperable the whole time we visited.

I didn't take very many pictures while we were there, which I regret.

While we were in Myrtle Beach, Bill and Debbie took us to the Fairway Amusement Park. Myrtle Beach was built around this park, but the property has been sold, so this is the last year it will be operating. This was the first time that the girls have ever been to anything like this. We have never even let them ride any rides at the fair, because it is so expensive.


Asher went on a few rides also. This one was very hard for him because he was still burned pretty bad. The girls got off and said "We squished Daddy." He loved it though. If you click on the picture you can see their expressions better.

This is just outside the amusement park.

On Friday, our last day in Myrtle Beach the whole crew went to this really fancy seafood buffet restaurant. There was live music and piratey stuff everywhere. The mermaid you see was sitting in a pool with another mermaid and they would throw treasure over the fence for anyone who would ask. The food was delicious. I tried some Mahi-mahi which was the best fish I have ever tasted.

Asher gave the girls a boogie board lesson. It was so fun to watch them because they were so light just the littlest waves would send them sailing along. Especially Natalie, she just zoomed.

 

Macy is so funny! There is not much that girl is afraid of, but she certainly got disconcerted by the ground disappearing from under her feet every time a wave came. She went into the water when we first got there, but only for a few minutes. Then she was perfectly content to just play in the sand.

We had so much fun playing in the water. We played in some form of water every day. Mostly we just hung out at the resort because it was convenient and very appropiate for the kids.


Macy is so stinkin independent. I took the four kids to the kiddie park by myself one day because Asher was sick from his sunburn and I wanted to let him rest. Not easy! I had Bethany between my legs and Macy was wandering in and out of the little kiddie pool. Not only did I have to worry about Macy wandering off, which she kept doing every chance she got, but I also kept worrying that she would trip and drown in the 1.5 foot water. It was fun, though. And I was glad to be able to let Asher rest. 

I caught this sweet moment between Asher and Bethany. I love it because it shows how he feels about his sweet Oochie Coochie.

Macy and Grandma Debbie really seemed to hit it off. Kids are so cute at this age and Debbie found all of her antics very amusing.

Caylee attatched herself to her Grandpa. Whenever he was in the room she was right there beside him, doing what he was doing. She just really loves her Grandpa.