Good Eats at the beach

Besides beach fun, Ben made sure we got some good eats in. We went to a burger joint and ate on a picnic table outside because it was nice out. Also another night we got some seafood for Ben's birthday, but the camera decided it didn't want to work anymore so I don't have pictures of that.

Katelyn enjoying her Nutella, Peanut Butter, Marshmallow cream Hamburger. Yep, we're awesome parents:) Landon had the same thing and it was definitely the most hamburger Katelyn has ever eaten. Hmmmm, maybe I need to start putting Nutella on her sandwiches for lunch.

Daddy and Landon showing off their hamburgers.

Yep. Ben got the "OMG" burger. Pretty much the biggest thing ever, complete with grilled cheese sandwiches and onion rings. CRAZY--and no, he didn't eat it all, he had the rest for breakfast.

We walked along the main Myrtle Beach road by the boardwalk and looked at little gift shops, but the kids loved this HUGE Ferris Wheel. Ben and Landon were gonna go on it but it would have cost $20--that wasn't going to happen! Anyway, we told Landon he can save up his money and ride a Ferris Wheel--and boy did he take us seriously because every coin he puts in the piggy bank he says is for the Ferris Wheel ride.

Myrtle beach fun

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa splitting the bill with us we were able to get a really nice "off-season" hotel room on the 16th floor overlooking the ocean at Myrtle Beach. We were floored by the view, sea for as far as you could see!

Family beach fun. No Landon isn't being chocked he's just being "encouraged" to look up at the camera!

Landon and Grandpa walked up and down the beach collecting shells.

The Sand proved to be what the kids liked best about the beach. They only dipped their toes in the ocean, and not very willing at that!

The hotel had several pools and that's where the kids got wet--oh and mom when she had to literally jump in the pool and save Katelyn who walked off the steps and submerged herself. (Of course dad was on the opposite end of the pool at the time so mommy had to do it!)

Lazy River. Landon had to hold on tight and by the end all you could see was his little feet!

Ben attempted to boogie board but he was never down at the beach when the waves were good.

If you look close you can see Katelyn glancing sideways at the water. Every time she heard the surf roll it she'd take a peak just to make sure it didn't get her!

Up on our 16th floor balcony.

Sunrise.

Early birthday

Because Grandma and Grandpa Davis were here at the first of the month and would not be here for Katelyn's 2nd birthday, Katelyn opened their presents when we got back from our North Carolina/Myrtle Beach trip.

She got "Berry Bear" to match the blanket Grandma made her.

A better look at the blanket--it says Katelyn Jane on the picket fence posts.

And here is one of the cute dresses she got.

p.s. Doesn't my girl have CRAZY hair!?

Uncle Lee and Aunt Nancy visit

We were lucky enough to have my brother Lee and sister Nancy come out and spend a couple weeks with us. While they were here they accompanied the kids and I (Ben had to work) up to Pennsylvania to spend some quality time with Grandma and Grandpa Fenstermacher. I'm grateful my siblings were along for the 12 hour drive because the kids were well entertained and traveled much better than expected.

Eating at the park pavilion

Playing in the river that goes through the town of Huntingdon. Landon and Katelyn willingly plunged into the water--ok, rather timidly made their way out into the shallow waters.

Isn't that a great picture of Grandma Fentstermacher--she thought I was taking a picture of just Nancy so she didn't try to hide this time:)

The kids looking out the big picture window at Grandma and Grandpa's house. This is a memory I have of me and my siblings doing too.

Quick snap shot of the gang--without grandma and grandpa knowing because they HATE having pictures taken and always try and sneak off.

Grandma let the kids play with a bubble machine, and they sure had fun.

The bubble action drew a few spectators:)

Back in Tennessee

Uncle Lee and Landon chilling at Cheddar's.

Cute little girl smack dab in the middle

We finally made it to Music Row in Nashville after we decided to venture out in the rain. It had been raining for two days straight and it wasn't gonna let up. We had to show Lee and Nancy at least a part of Nashville's music scene.

Thanks Lee and Nancy for coming out. The kids had a blast and were asking for Uncle "Yee" and Nancy for about a week after they left. Next time we'll have to do more outside stuff if the weather cooperates.

Wilson County Fair

Still haven't found our camera cord, but here are just a few pictures of our visit to the Wilson County State Fair in August. (And if you are wondering about Landon's clashing outfit I'll just tell you now that it was Ben who dressed him:)

Cute girl on a tractor

Country Boy on a tractor

We let the kids go on this ride because it was the only one we could find that Katelyn met the height requirement needed to be on a ride without a parent:)

We watched some go cart races, and Landon decided to be in a bad mood and refused to smile in this one--stubborn kid even looks like he's having an awful time when really he had a blast! Katelyn just chilled out next to dad and watched the dirt that was kicked up by the racers.

And I just want to throw in the fact that with all that fair food, toys, games and hoopla that comes with a fair, we managed to just buy one drink of lemonade (which was gross) and pay for one ride. Who says having fun needs to cost a lot of money?! Oh yeah, there was the entrance fee too.

Lazy day photo op

Well I finally decided to attempt a mini photoshoot with the kiddos and yeah, it went as well as can be expected with to hyper hoodlums:) My wonderful SLR camera that I have had since graduating college has been on the fritz, and I'm sorry to report that today it died--literally right as I was wrapping up the kids shoot. Rest in peace friend...and I do have a lot more photos of the kids on just our little point and shoot but I can't find the darn cord to upload the photos so I guess these will just have to do until later.

Love his face here: WHAT?

And the little lioness with her lion. She was just sitting down and waiting her turn when I quickly shot this pic of her. The window light really shows off her wild and nearly-impossible-to-tame messy mane here!

Utah visit

The long awaited Utah portion of the trip is finally here! We spent five days at Ben's parents and the kids had a blast spending time with Grandpa and Grandma Davis, and even their Aunt Lindsie flew in. The Saturday we were there was Grandma and Grandpa Kjar's 60th Wedding Anniversary celebration so EVERYONE was there.

Landon helped grandpa with the food --and the yard.

Aunt Lindsie spent lots of quality time with the kids.

Sitting on Grandma's lap at the Zoo. Not sure what she was saying, but Landon looks very interested.

After a ride on the carousel, Landon enjoyed a nice cool treat--Katelyn had some too.

"What's that! (or Wuz at)?" Katelyn said pointing to the Rhino.

The kids, especially Katelyn who squealed in delight, enjoying a ride at Taylorsville Dayzz.

I think Landon would like a hot rod.

While the big family pics were being taken for Grandpa and Grandma Kjar's 60th, Landon scaled the ladder to be closer to Grandpa Kjar. Don't know how I missed getting a picture of the happy couple on my own camera but i'll just have to wait to see what the photographer got.

Landon liked playing with all of the cousins, and he could usually be found at the water cooler with Max and Londyn or playing tag.

Gracie and Katelyn played Monkey See, Monkey Do.

Aunt Jane, Katelyn Jane, and Ben. We think you're pretty GREAT Aunt Jane!

She loved her pretty little sundress.

And the best attempt at a photo with grandparents.

Thank you for the amazing time out there! We know we make it out so rarely and appreciate all who took time off and made numerous visits so we could spend as much time with you as we could. We loved watching the kiddos interact with all of you and the kids still ask for grandpa and grandm--both sets! Landon says that daddy works to make money to pay for the airplane that takes us to see you!!!

Lots of love,

The Tennessee Davis'