Holy Crap!

This is not what I expected to see when I opened the door. Music was blaring!  And, they'd been threatening to finish their work for two days....it's kind of neat to actually catch them in the act!  Haha!!

I Love These Kids

Joshua and Robert - August 30, 2015

 

You know that one friend you have for life?  The one you can go a year without speaking to then call out of the blue and it's like you haven't missed a beat?  I think that is these boys right here. They're totally awesome together!

Myrtle Beach 2015

Our sixth trip to Pirateland Family Campground....

This tradition started with nana and granddaddy taking their grandchildren here - and that would include Sky. He continued the tradition with his family and it's been a wonderful tradition that I hope to see continue. 

This picture is the main road leading to the ocean sites. We stayed in 1040, an inland site our first night since we arrived a night early.  Our choice site is 630.  We have stayed in 630 many years now. It's the best site because the lake is just behind us. It's a large site and if parked right you get a LOT of extra space other sites don't offer. Right at the end of our road is the beach entrance. 

I took Mila for a walk before leaving site 1040. She and I were the first ones to the beach!  (My first thought was, "oh, shit!  I just brought a bird dog to th beach;  By myself!"). She goes crazy for the birds!!  But all was ok. Just a lot of barking at the birds and making a scene. Good thing she's cute!

Our favorite restaurant when we are here: Captain George's!  We ate here twice!  (My boys definitely get their money's worth!). The food is good and the atmosphere is so much fun!  All you can eat crab legs!  And they have huge scallops!

Mila loves the ocean!  And all the birds. We honestly thought she was sizing this pup up for the best place to lay her teeth, though!!  

Me and Joshua playing bingo. No candy bars or prizes. Just having good old fashioned fun!  Then me and Sky played four hands of rummy. He won (using his Jedi skills, of course!)

Plum tuckered!

Me and Mila enjoying the peace and quiet before everyone gets up. I love this view!  This is another reason why this is our favorite site. We aren't looking at another camper through the windows. 

We need Chick-fil-A in Wisconsin!

The boys kayaking!  Joshua took a tumble and came home wet. 

Sky's favorite activity. Well...one of them. 

.....(self-explanatory!)

I enjoy it here way too much. My favorite time of day is the evening when it's cool and not very crowded. 

Well, this is first of several laundry days!  But the facility here is always very clean. Plus the washers are done in 30 minutes and the big industrial dryers can dry 5 washer loads (all together) in 18-25 minutes or less!!!  I need that for my house!

Nearly a three hour game of Monopoly. I went shopping. I learned long ago not to play that game with my husband. He's a Jedi and it's not fair that he lands on free parking whenever he wants.

Dinner time!  We really miss having one of these in Wisconsin, too!

A littl putt-putt to work it off...

It wasn't too hot but it was HUMID, which made it feel like it was TOO hot!!!  We were all 'drippy!'

We came back and went for a walk on the beach. It was cut short because of lightning and rain. But I got some cuddle time with my only girl....

A little fish(ing)! In back of the camper - again, this is the perfect camp site!  You can catch 'bait,' crabs, some larger fish, and there are turtles and snakes. Very fun to watch because the fish like to jump!  Also there's tons of birds that waddle by daily: ducks, geese, and that one (2nd pic) that was taken from inside the camper one stormy afternoon. No idea what it is.

I love the look on Joshua's face. He looks a little disgusted digging for a worm to hook. 

Ate at Bimini's tonight!  Very good fried grouper and sautéed scallops!  Fries were good, too!

Upon leaving there was a guy making things out of corn husks. Joshua got a sword and I got a rose. 

Of course, tips were appreciated!

Joshua and Alyssa rode the sling shot together. First time for both of them. Joshua screamed and Alyssa laughed the whole time!  I paid extra for the video which I'll post to Facebook. Joshua, I think, was embarrassed by his own reaction (and I did get permission from him to post to Facebook) but, it's what I'd call - epic. I never use that word. I think it could be a $10,000 winner!!!

Justin and Tyler rode together. It was Justin's first time. Tyler rode it last trip with Sky.

Pool time!

Here's Wendy. Never too old to play like a kid. 

Water cannons!

Joshua just chilling!

Even Justin had fun in the splash pad!

Brandon in the lazy river. 

More beach fun for all!!

(Until this girl decided to poop in the Atlantic Ocean!!!!)

Brandon and Joshua paddle boating. 

Mila begging granddaddy to take her off her lead. We enjoy having family come visit. Missed Kellie and Andy this trip but we'll be back!!!

Chilling out in the camper to get away from the heat...

Dinner time!  Justin had gone for a walk on the shoreline so his was cold.

Last day at the beach for Brandon and Alyssa so we made the most of it....the kids had a lot of fun!

Alyssa

I told Joshua to pose for me...

Tyler (or 'Hollywood')

Sky looking for sharks teeth. 

 Me and Sky (just before sticking his tongue out at me). 

So I returned it...

Brandon really enjoyed playing in the ocean!

Alyssa burying Joshua 

Brandon and Alyssa

Joshua jumping in to clean all the sand off 

Group pictures...

(Nice smile, Justin)

(this is better). First cousins here-Sky's and Andy's kids. 

Spent the afternoon at Broadway at the Beach with nana and granddaddy. Joshua got to build a car at Ride Makerz and we ate at Johnny Rockets. 

Mirror Maze was cool!

Random scenes from Broadway at the Beach...

Absolutely pleasant day at the beach!  Tide was high but the waves were fairly gentle with a very soft undercurrent. Sky and Tyler swam (floated) with us for a while but me and Joshua stayed well past being puckered. The only reason we came in is because the fish wanted to play with me. Haha!  I didn't want to play with them!

Later on we went shopping with nana and granddaddy at the Market Common (love this outdoor mall full of specialty shops!). Of course, we only bought books at Barnes and noble. Then we went to Steak 'N Shake for dinner. Yummy!!!  Yet another restaurant Wisconsin could benefit from!

Our campsite

Me and Tyler chilling at the beach. Spent most of the day here before walking around The Market Common last night.

Went for ice cream at the campground. They have a pretty nice arcade, too.

Mila looks like she's pleading her case to use the phone.

Selfie of me and Joshua before heading out to Myrtle Beach National.

Okay, so we still had our day of golf but it poured!  And like the crazy Wisconsinites we are, we played in the rain!!!

Sky in the down pour!

Joshua driving the cart!!

Pretty scene. Nice course but Hilly Haven is still my fave!!

Later in the day we ate dinner with nana and granddaddy at Sarah J's. Since this was their last night we got a couple of good group pic's. 

Went for a walk to the pier at the state park. It's about a mile and a half walk (took my dog - I think water makes her want to poop because she's pooped in the Atlantic every time we've had her at the beach. Fortunately we are prepared and scoop it up in a bag before the waves can take t out. Ewww, I know!). Anyway, I love looking at the beach houses. How I'd love to own one!!!

Tonight (and I really have no idea which nite tonight is - that's a good thing when you're on vacation, I guess) we went shopping. Joshua got a shirt with a corvette on it, bought his friend, who happens to be a girl, a necklace, and himself a bracelet. Tyler got two t-shirts. I believe one is a Game of Thrones shirt and the other a Breaking Bad shirt. Justin, well he's holding out. I don't know what he wants but I bet I'll be in shock when he tells me. And, we apparently needed to come to Myrtle beach to buy shoes- 6, SIX, pair!  We got to Broadway at the Beach late because it was another wet and stormy day. But, it was still raining and you wouldn't believe how crowded it was. Eventually it stopped. But talk about being wet!!!!  Not just from the rain but the humidity AND rain made it three times worse than usual!  Anyway,we were able to catch a fun show - free - of a British guy who was on Americas got talent, I think (or maybe it was the X factor). He did some juggling and unicycle riding but his 'comedy' was most entertaining. It was fun but all of us had sore feet!!!  Therefore, new shoes!  But really, the kids needed knew school shoes and we'll have only three days until school starts once we get home. I also bought mama and Robbie some gifts but don't want to spoil it!  Still looking for Gordie, though. Here are just a few of our little night out purchases.

So, several days ago my Suburban wouldn't start. Well, it did, after an extended crank. We went looking at vehicles thinking we would have to trade it in. Sky was pretty upset with me because he tried to talk me into trading it before we came on this trip. It's paid off and I want to drive it until it won't run anymore (and, too, on the way down here the digital display for the radio went out - it eventually came back on). But, I love how roomy the Suburban is. I've looked at the Buick Enclave, Encore, Cadillac SRX, Nissan Rogue, Altima, and Highlander, I think. I looked at Chevy Cruze (which is what Sky wants) and the Impala and Malibu. Nothing compares to my worn out, beat up Chevy Suburban. Until I drove the Dodge Journey Crew. I'll tell ya we came THIS close to buying it!  Instead, we had the fuel injector or pump - or whatever - replaced ........ And bought a new camper!  Yes, we are the craziest people I know!  Pic's further down in blog post ....  After getting the purchase started we went out for dinner. Well, after a torrential downpour and picking up the suburban from getting a new fuel pump. Sky and Justin went to RIOZ, a Brazilian steakhouse while I took the other boys to Cracker Barrel. It stormed REALLY hard but once it was done we had a beautiful sunset. Here are some pics from our campsite. 

And Mila. 

Pictures of the new camper....

So, we got rid of the bunk house. Justin may or may not continue to camp with us after he starts college and all three can crowd into the living room. The fold out couch can sleep two and the recliners can be slept in - or there's enough floor space if the third kid wanted to stretch out. It has central vac, two A/c's, king size bed with plenty of room to walk around, and a nice big shower!. It has washer and dryer hook ups (we'd never use that). I think we're really going to enjoy it and have it for many years. 

On this day Sky took Tyler and Joshua deep sea fishing (a half day cruise). So I took Justin to an awesome ropes course that took over THREE hours!!! And he was unable to complete the third level - not to mention half of it was still under construction. Definitely a two day adventure for future reference!

Afterwards Justin and I went to Benjamin's Calabash. And we took a selfie...

A pic Sky sent of the fishing trip...

After the busy day of fishing and climbing we spent the following day at the beach. Almost the whole day!  Sky set up our spot with our umbrella and chairs around 9 am and I took them down around 6. 

Joshua picking up his dad's pastime of looking for sharks teeth. 

After a while sky and Tyler went fishing on the pier. Later Joshua walked down there, then after a yummy crock-pot dinner me and Justin enjoyed (while playing Harry Potter Scene It) he and I took the dog on a walk in that direction. Joshua was on his way back so he and Justin went back to the camper with the dog while I continued on toward the pier. I met up with Tyler and Sky. They caught a lot, but no keepers. 

(another beautiful sunset)

Sky woke up early and went fishing again. I decided to take Justin to Barnes and Noble at The Market Common to use their wifi to finish his application for UW-Stout. Me and Joshua read and walked around some after having coffee and a snack. Then we walked around more shops and went for lunch at Steak 'N Shake. Tyler stayed with Sky who'd come back deciding to go buy new rigging to catch better fish. And Tyler wound up with a Spanish Mackerel.

But we had made it home before Sky and Tyler so we played some games and went to the lazy river and splash pad. I also took more campsite pic's....

Today was our second to last day here.Sky  went to play 18 at Wicked Stick and I took the boys back to Broadway at the Beach for boat rides and mini golf, and more shopping, of course!

I have a pic like this every year we've been here. 

Justin feeding fish and ducks. 

Justin had no interest, which was fine because everything here is expensive. The more kids you have - it adds up to ridiculousness!

We drove home through The Market Common district. I'm going to abbreviate it:  TMC, for short. It's an area with an outdoor mall with dwellings above. There are lots of sidewalks and directional traffic is separated by medians with water fountains, benches, rocking chairs, greenery and palm trees, playgrounds, and speakers for music. But there is also town homes, condos, houses, an amazing recreation district with tons of parks, lakes, bridges, you name it. Gorgeous place to live and shop. The stores at the outdoor mall are also specialty shops rather than just what you'd find in a mall. Plus there's several restaurants, cafes and a grocery store. (And Barnes and Noble!!)

I had Joshua snap this pic as we were driving by. The homes are super cute, several stories high - homes, not apartments. Plus, it has a Charleston feel with all the bright colors. 

The. We got back to the camper and took a walk on the beach because the ride was really high and the sun going down reflected off the stormy sky and made the water so pretty. So I took about 50 pictures!

Campground has done a lot of clearing out, storm's on the horizon (can hear the distant thunder), and I'm outside frying bacon!  I really kind of love it!

Sky and Tyler got up at 5:30 to go fishing off the pier. I got up a little later and went to watch the sun rise over the ocean. I only took about a hundred pic's. Maybe I should've taken more....?  It was, however, a very cloudy, overcast and stormy day.

This was a looong vacation. If we can't stay forever, I suppose we're ready to get back to our usual routine. 

Last stroll on the beach...

 I hope you enjoyed my pictures!!