Tybee Island 2015 {Summer Vacation}

As usual I'm so very late to the party sharing pics of our Summer adventures, but better late than never. { I'm also super behind on ordering blog books - go figure!}

Lance is all about the travel/driving schedule which means some cRAzY departure hours, but when we get there and have all the extra time to enjoy, I'm always thankful for his leadership in this area!

This year we decided to drive through the night for the first time...

It worked out well. Well, mostly. This little one as expected...

But then there's this certain little fella that was still going strong at 4:14 a.m.!!! At least he was happy!

We made it to Savannah and headed straight to the Back in the Day Bakery!!

Sooooo yummy!! I wish I could have sampled one of everything!!

Coffee. Bring us all the coffee!

Even after all that driving, Lance was still a good sport and let me do a little shopping before we headed to our home away from home for the week. I found a really pretty turquoise cuff bracelet at this cute shop in downtown Savannah.

I fell in love with Savannah. The buildings. The squares. The fountains. The gorgeous Spanish moss lined streets. Ahhh...

On to our home away from home for the week...Tybee Island! But first a little tribute to Shark Week - ha!

We stopped to eat at a local fish place and right outside were these beautiful flowers! I had to stop and snap a pic and send it to Noonie because they reminded me so much of "amapolas" - a flower I grew up seeing all over Puerto Rico!

Finally!!

Lance found this little gem for us and Oh my, he did GOOD!!!! It was love at first sight! And not just for me - ha! The fist pumps might have been because they had their own tv in their room {something I don't see happening at home for a LONG time}, but alas, I'm just going to stay in my bubble and think it's because the décor was so perfect. *wink*

We love, Love, LOVE The Coral Cottage! Highly recommend! It was spotless. Perfect location. So many of you on Instagram asked for the link, so here are more pictures from their {listing}.

This little boy just makes me SMILE! He is so funny!

He was so excited to find dino "bones" in the side yard right by the outside shower {don't worry, there's an indoor bathroom too!}.

So after unloading and getting settled in we headed to - where else - the beach!!

Love the sand dunes!

The beach is the little pumpkin's happy place. A girl after my own heart!

The swings are always a hit!

We later tried to go for gelato but they were closed early - boo!
#foodtrucklove

We did find a perfect little spot for husbands and kids. The official "husband bench" - ha!

And a fun bubble bird bath for the littles.

All so mama can shop in peace! #genius
{I secretly love that she still loves bubbles!}

I'm going to be posting vacation pics all week long, so just bear with me!

first day of THIRD grade + FIRST grade!!!!

Kicking and screaming we kissed Summer break goodbye and said hello to school!! Yesterday was the littles first day and they had a great day.  LOTS of fun pics, but those firsts have to be documented, right?!

Grace, 8 1/2
{first day of 3rd grade} 
favorite color: pink
favorite character: Elsa from Frozen
favorite game: The Shopkins Game
favorite food: steak, noodles, and broccoli
I love to: dance and draw

I hope her whole year is this smiley and dreamy!!

Hudson, 6 
{first day of 1st grade} 
favorite color: gold
favorite character: Zane from Ninjago
favorite game: swimming
favorite food: corn dogs
I love to: play with my family

Meanwhile...he is SO his father's son!! 
"How many pictures do we have to take??" 
he he he

There's that sweet jack-o-lantern smile I love so much!!

DEFINITELY a joy filled spirit!
{and same answers three years in a row!}

Perfect fit for him!! He notices every little detail! Everything must make sense and fit together just so. Love him to pieces!!

Official backpack pics!

Lunches packed with some yummies...stir fry chicken bites, shells with butter and parmesan cheese, apple slices, blackberries, and a chocolate pudding pouch!

They both loved their new magnets from planetbox and I love that we can use the same box and just buy a new carrying case + magnets every year!

And we're off!

The do-we-have-to-take-a-picture-at-school look. Why, yes we do! Mama wanted a pic of the two of you together and Grace in her cute new glasses!!

Ready to go into Mrs. W's Wonder Kids homeroom!

I have a feeling our days of walking her in are coming to an end... *tear*

Hello, Mrs. W!

Something about dropping off your *baby* that gets me every time!!

With his sweet teacher, Ms. H!

Bye mama!  Such cute Honeybees!!

But the best part about going back to school is catching up with all your friends!! Hudson was super excited that Lilly is now at his school!!

They both had a great first day - that's always an answered prayer!! 

When I picked up Hudson he ran to me and gave me the biggest hug! He said, "I had a super fun day!! Ms. H has the most amazing treasure box!" {he got a LEGO out of the treasure box!?!!!! he was OVER THE MOON!!} Later his buddy Jayden's mom told me that Hudson said Ms. H was sooo pretty + nice - he he! 

Grace said she had a great day but that they didn't get to go out to recess because it was too hot. (the good 'ole South for you!) That her desk (in like a little desk group of several desks together) is the farthest one back from the whiteboard but "I can see perfectly with my new glasses and I like it back there." (the stuff they notice!) And that she is sitting with two boys next to her that she tried to keep on task all day (ha!) 

Frozen yogurt at our fave spot to wrap up a successful first day!

We ran into some school friends and you would have thought they hadn't seen each other in YEARS!! Such crazy girlies!! 
{and yes, they were WILD after school. extra apologies to other froyo patrons that were there!}

All in all a great start to a new school year. My biggest prayers are for safety, for learning mixed with copious amounts of nurturing, and for the littles to shine with God's light from within in every circumstance they are faced with. 

Daddy and I love you more than words can say!
Go get them! 
XOXO,
Mama 

P.S. 
Second day of school fashion. Her style is really changing and she looks so grown up!!