Folly Beach Retreat

At the beginning of July we took the youth down to Folly Beach, SC for a youth retreat.  We stayed at the beach house (owned by First Baptist) right on the beach.  The kids and I came along and had fun visiting family and being on the beach.  The kids had a great week, and were exhausted most of the time from being "on the go".  I tried to plan our days around the schedule that Ryan had for the teenagers (which was planned around the tides).  Here are a variety of assorted pictures: 

The first morning we met my dad for breakfast at McDonalds and then headed to Charlestowne Landing.  We had the play area at McDonald's to ourselves, which is always kind of nice.  The boys love the animal forest at Charlstowne Landing.  The otter exhibit had been redone since we had been there last.  It was awesome, and I think it was the boy's favorite.  After walking through the animal forest, we rode the tram around once.  The kids loved it, especially Mercy.  She was grinning from ear to ear!  (I think she liked the breeze.)  They bypassed the boat since they kids wanted to stay on the tram.  Hopefully, next time they will be up for seeing the boat!

The kids had fun on the beach, as usual.  They do a great job entertaining themselves.  The teenagers did well playing with our kids.  Occasionally, our kids wanted to go out deep with them, as they are getting pretty comfortable with the ocean.

Josiah is building a "wall".

Mercy liked to lay down in the sand.  (probably because she was so tired most of the week)

an upclose shot

my babies

Aedan and I

Aedan enjoyed playing ping pong.  He is playing with Coleman in this picture.  This is in the downstairs area of the house.  The kids and I stayed downstairs in a couple rooms located off this room.  It really worked out well for us-having the kids close by (at night) and yet away from the teenagers.  (I don't think anyone felt like they had to tip-toe around our kids sleeping.  That was great!  And, sound machines always help!)

On Sunday morning, we met my dad up in North Charleston at Chuckie Cheese.  I had some tokens from years ago, and my dad also bought them some more tokens.  They had fun playing there! 

Mercy and I at Chuckie Cheese~ she liked to sit in the different cars, but didn't like them to move:)

After Chuckie Cheese, we went to my dad's place and got ready for Mama's (my grandmother) 90th birthday party.  It was held at the downtown Marriott.  (There was no way I was going to travel back to Folly to get ready for the party.  Traffic was pretty bad getting on the island for the holiday weekend.)

Kim (my cousin) and Mercy at the party

Gigi and Josiah

Josiah, Aedan, and Mercy with Gigi

cute picture

more kisses

Mercy with Emily (a cousin)

Aedan with Chris and Michael (more cousins)

Mama with her great grandkids!

The kids and I with Mama

Mercy and I at the party.  She liked the cake!

Family group shot.  Mama has eight kids~  Everyone is here except for Ryan, Shelby, John, and Elizabeth

The grandkids (and great grandkids) with Mama

My mom, sister, and I

Another mother/daughter picture

Uncle Bill, Aunt Francie, and Unle Bimbo

Kim and Caroline

Mercy and I

Molly, Mercy, and Kim

Caroline and Mercy

A GREAT picture of Mercy

Aunt Francie with the kids

Gigi and the kids

Mama and the kids

We went to the aquarium one afternoon with my mom.  The kids always enjoy going there.  The always look forward to the white alligator!

Mercy chilling at the aquarium

They had a new tank of rays.

We went to an alligator session and the boys got to touch a baby alligator!  I was very proud of them; especially Josiah who is usually timid when it comes to touching animals!  This is Josiah touching the alligator!!  Go Josiah!

Josiah and Gigi!!

Back at the beach with the youth!  The current and waves became very strong the last two days we were there. 

the girls in our pink and white!

Hannah and Cayla

Claire and Paige

Ryan teaching the students

I'm so glad we were able to make the trip!  (Much better then being at home by myself for a week.)  It has been so much better this summer; being able to do things with the youth group.  I was also able to see Tom and Sandra one evening when we went to the Crab Shack with my dad.  I thoroughly enjoyed the yummy seafood!  Love shrimp and scallops!!!