July 4th

**July 4th**

July 4th 2008 - Payton's 1st 4th of July 

Mommy and Payton were enjoying the OIB 4th of July Parade

Family at the beach last year - July 4th 2008 at OIB

My family typically travels to Ocean Isle Beach for the week of the 4th.  We have been doing this since I was in 8th grade and before my little cousin, Aubrey, was born.  We started off going to the Outer Banks and eventually migrated down to Ocean Isle and upgraded to renting an ocean front house....ahhhh, those were the days!  For several different reasons, we decided to forgo our annual trip this summer.  I thought it would be nice to "do our own thing" for the 4th...the last time I did my own thing I couldn't even drive so I thought it may be a nice change.  As Chad and I enjoyed our relaxing beach afternoon the weekend prior to the 4th we watched as vacationers headed out to the Isle of Palms to start their week long vacation.  This is when it hit me that I would not be spending the week with my family and suddenly, I wasn't too thrilled with doing my own thing!  The thing I wanted to do was enjoy a week of waking up late, walking right out the front door to sit on the beach for the entire day...long enough to watch the sunset and eat shrimp on the beach, reading at least 5 books,  and enjoying lots of quality time with my family.  

Luckily, my cousin Sha and her husband, Michael, live on Sullivan's Island.  We rarely see them or their children; however, my Aunt Linda and Uncle Bill had planned to stay with them for the weekend. They also had my little cousin Evan.  My parents were staying with us for the weekend.  So, minus the ocean front house and adding in the stress of loading up and dragging LOTS of stuff out onto the beach, we did a pretty good job of having a mini family vacation at Sullivan's.    We greatly missed Kim, Shannon, Aubrey, and the rest of my cousins who vary from year to year.  We did enjoy getting to see Sha, Michael, Emmet, William, and Sullivan.  

We had a very fun weekend filled with lots of activities!

Saturday morning we started off at our neighborhood pool.  Payton enjoyed playing in the pool with Grandma and Grandpa.  He seems to really enjoy the water.  He still likes to float in his crab float and enjoys playing peek-a-boo behind the sun shade. He likes to have toys in the water and loved throwing a ball back and forth in the pool.  He is also learning to "jump" from the side.

After playing for over an hour in the pool we headed off to grab lunch.  Payton enjoyed his 3rd happy meal.  We had Chic-fil-a and he LOVED the chicken nuggets, fruit, and milk. What a great kids meal!  

After lunch we headed out to Sullivan's Island to meet up with my family and spend a little time on the beach.  Aunt Linda, Uncle Bill, William, Emmet, and Evan were waiting for us on the beach.  We stayed on the beach for almost 4 hours.  Payton was so tired.  

He feel asleep on Grandma and slept for nearly an hour.  

Chad and I left Payton with my parents for the rest of the night.  Chad and I had previously planned to meet up with a few friends to celebrate the 4th.  We went to Patriots Point to see the fireworks show.  

Very impressive!  Payton stayed with my parents at Sha's house.  They enjoyed the Sullivan's Island fireworks, a band, and a late dinner.  Payton loved the music and the fireworks.  He was a very sleepy boy by the time he made it home on Saturday night!  

Sunday was filled with another trip to the beach.  

Grandma bought Payton his very own beach chair.  He has had the tendency to steal my chair and get my seat and towel covered with sand.  I thought his very own chair would help.  It is a perfect size for him!

As soon as I stood up, he moved from his chair into my chair...again, covered with sand!  Maybe I will be able to explain to him that he is the only person who will fit in his chair so he has to use it!

We spent most of the day on Sullivan's with my family. 

Aunt Linda, Grandma and Payton go for a walk on the beach! 

Payton did great both days!  He made for several hours in the sand and water and took another nap with Grandma!  We packed up, headed home, cleaned up and went to California Dreaming to end our 4th of July weekend celebration.

It was a wonderful way to spend the 4th....second only to an oceanfront house shared with family and friends!!  

Grandma and Grandpa headed back to Sherrills Ford on Monday.  Prior to leaving, my dad added two lovely black rocking chairs to our front porch.  They are wonderful!  Thanks Dad!  We will spend many hours in these in the future!