South Carolina Vacation--LONG BLOG

First let me say I'm sorry for not getting on here quite as often as most of you. I've been reading your blogs and can see that I should be getting on here more. I'll try to do better. I will also say that this might be somewhat of a long blog, to tell about all that happened.
Every year on the first full week of Octtober, Sam's family get's together for a small reunion. It's just our famiily, his parents, sister, and brother's family. There are 13 of us in all now. We usually take turns going to each other's house or mutual place for that week to make it fair for everyone driving. We are coming from TN, his parents and sister from VA, and brother's family from FL. This year we got a condo on Edisto Island, SC. This was the first time for everyone to be there. We started on our journy on Friday, Oct. 3. Instead of driving the whole way there, since check-in wasn't till Sat. at 4, we drove to Chee-Vee and Lori's house. That is our home away from home and we love going there just as much as the kids do. Of course, now I have to say just how much the kids love going to Ms. Lori's house. They think the world of her. And what do we find out when we get there....she's at the Brad Paisly concert with Kim!! I know they had a good time and I'm happy for them. And I even brought her a present..Friends Scene It game. Thankfully, Kim left her kids with Chee-Vee and the kids really loved playing with Hailey and we enjoyed visiting with Blake. Courtney really loves getting to see and play with Hailey. I'm glad they have gotten to be such good friends. Anyway, we had a good visit with Chee-Vee and were able to see Lori in the morning before going on our way.
We made our way to South Carolina. We did go out of our way to go to the capital along the way. One of Christopher's goals in life right now is to see every state capital in the country. We try to make that come true whenever possible. So we saw the capital, from the interstate, and got a picture of it. O.k. so later that afternoon/evening we made it to the condo. Sam's brother was already there. Let me describe the condo a little for you so you might get an idea of having 13 people in one place with a specified max capacity of 8! There was one bedroom with a king size bed and bathroom. There was another bedroom with a queen size bed and bathroom, then there was a like a little loft with just a bed. Sam's parents and sister were not able to get there till Sunday, so Matt (Sam's brother)and his family (3 boys under the age of 5) took the room with the king size bed. Sam & I took the pull out bed in the living room and we gave Courtney the bed in the loft and our boys the other bed. So in order for us to go the bathroom, we have to go to the bedroom where someone else will be sleeping. His parents will be in that bed when they get there and Courtney will share her bed with Tina, Sam's sister. O.k. so we are all asleep and I hear Cameron crying out and not happy at all. I ran up the stairs to see what was wrong and hoping he didn't wake the others. He was crying because he was soaking wet! I tried to calm him dowm and went downstairs to get him some dry clothes. I woke Sam up and asked him to go up there and help calm him down so he doesn't wake the others up and to help me. When I got up there Christopher was up and complaining that he was also very wet. Sam then informed me that he wasn't wet from peeing on himself, this was chuncky. He had thrown up all over himself and his brother!! It was so gross, but we were taking care of it. While putting them in the shower to clean them up, Courtney does it in her bed!! Not a fun night at all. Got everyone cleaned up and put down on sleeping bags downstairs with us. I was up every hour from them on racing Cameron up the stairs to throw up some more. Cam you feel my pain here?
The next morning, I apologized to Matt & Shannon for the comotion that happened during the night. They didn't know anything happened, they slept through it all!
O.k. So now it's Sunday morning and there is no Church of Christ that we know of. We past a sign on our way to the condo that said future home of Church of Christ and gave a number to call. We called and found out they were meeting at the home of the preacher not far from where we were staying. So, I got Courtney (who was much better) and Christopher ready for church. Sam said he would stay back with Cameron who now had it coming out both ends. :( O.k. so Matt, Shannon, their boys, my two and myself head out to church. I have to say it was an experience meeting in the home for worship. It was just the preacher and his wife with one other family. They had class for all kids in the bedroom, while the four adults (including our 3) had class in the living room. After class, everyone met in the living room for worship services. So they don't have service on Sunday night so we were free till next meeting, which for them was on Thursday night. O.K. so I'm washing all the sheets getting ready for my in-laws to arrive.
So everyone is together now. Monday we decide to go the beach early afternoon, and then to Chuck-E-Cheese for dinner to celebrate my nephew's 3rd birthday. Everyone had a good time, but right before we left, the stomach thing hit me and I was hugging the toilet in the restroom! Made it back home only to find out that Sam did the same thing when we got back. Now it was our turn.
O.K. Tuesday morning. I'm feeling much better but Sam is not. We had planned on going to Charleston to sightsee, but with Sam sick we decided to wait. Tina had to leave on Wed. so we spent the day with her and the kids. We went to a "state park" on the island. It was interesting. They had some marine animals to see and learn about. We did get to watch the lady feed the animals and she told the kids alot about them. Acutally got to see a horseshoe crab eat. She held it upside down and fed it for them to see. It was really neat.
Wednesday, Sam is better and we go to Charleston. We take a carriage tour of the city which was really neat. My kids enjoyed it, but I think my nephews were to young to enjoy it. After the tour and lunch, we were planning on taking a tour of Ft. Sumter. We got there to late to catch the boat so we went to the aquarium right next door instead. I think everyone had a good time there.
Thursday morning, my sister in law and her two older sons (age 3 & 4), along with me and my 3 went on a tour to the beach to find shark teeth. We didn't find any personally, the guide found them for us, but the kids loved playing in the water again. Had a good time, but what a walk!
Friday was a rainy day, so we didn't much. Stayed in and played games and watched movies. We did take the kids to an indoor pool, but the heater was broken and the water was somewhat on the cool side. I did not get in, but heard it was cold. (Could be half the reason my kids are sick now!)
So we left to make our way back home on Saturday morning. Stopped to eat supper with my parents on the way. Courtney's asthma flaired up super bad on the way home and she was miserable the entire way. Now I'm trying to heal her with her astmas and hight fever along with Cameron's high fever and cough. It's not been fun since coming home, but hopefully they are getting better.

Well, if you are still reading this I commend you. You are a brave soul for sticking to reading this whole thing. I know it was a lot but I wanted to make sure you got the full effect. Enjoy the pics below from the trip. I've tried to keep them in some sort of order. Starts with the little state part, Chuck-E-Cheese, Charleston, aquarium, beach and ends with just some family shots.