Shelby's 16th Birthday~Yikes!

Shelby's 16th birthday was on Saturday. She's growing way too fast! She wanted
her best friend, grandparents, Nathan, David and me to take her to Los Toribios
to celebrate. She also requested an ice cream cake. We had a wonderful, yet small,
celebration. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHELBY!!!!!!

Nathan helping with the candles.

Shelby blowing out all 16 candles...what'd you wish Shelby?

Shelby with one of her favorite singers, Taylor Swift.

Birthday card and $16.00.

Granny and Papa with Shelby.

Granny and Papa giving Shelby, love.

Three very giggly and wiggly and adorable, children

Shelby and best friend, Olivia, driving to Los Toribios.

HILTON HEAD

Wow...what a trip...I don't even know where to begin. For a quick
trip out there and it being a business trip for David...we really had
a good time. Long trip out. It took us 13 hours because we
got caught in Atlanta traffic for 2 hours.

We spent Sunday afternoon together walking the beach, shopping,
laying out by the pool and eating at a good restaurant called The
Old Oyster Restaurant. The temps were in the mid to upper 60's.
The beach was very windy and cool; however, we did rent bikes
and took a bike ride down the beach quite a ways. Nathan loved
riding in the water and loved the fact that we were getting sopping
wet!

Monday and Tuesday David made trips to Savannah to check on a
job he has going. The kids and I spent time between the beach
and the pool and eating lunch outside at the cafe. We watched and
fed the fish (carp) that swam beneath us in a huge pool of water.
Nathan saved one of his hamburger buns just for this special time
and low and behold a black bird came by and swiped it from him.
He was very upset to say the least and everyone around us was
laughing histerically.

On Monday afternoon we were fortunate enough to have Uncle Norval
and Aunt Susie join us from Charleston. We enjoyed their visit and
our time at the South Beach Marina where we ate at the Crazy Crab.
We did a little shopping afterward there at the marina and headed back
to our hotel where we visited until the kids got cranky and tired and
literally ran them off.

Tuesday David came home a little earlier so that I could go get a massage.
Oh my gosh....it felt wondeful. It was time and money well spent and helped
prepare me for the long trip home.

The staff and hotel were very nice. Hilton Head is a beautifl area. We didn't
see as much of it or do as much as we would have liked off the resort but
it was very relaxing for me and for the kids. Poor David... alot of work and little
play. It was beautiful weather Monday and Tuesday in the mid 70's. We did
get some sun. We even sunburned. Believe it or not all of that is already gone.

I hope we can go back again someday. Fun times and great memories!

Last family pic on the beach.

.

Nathan weathering the wind

Dad and Nathan last morning @HH.

Shelby walking in the beautiful sunrise

David watching the children play on last day.

They needed to get their energy out before long drive home.

Standing around the fire outside Salty Dog eating ice cream.

It was a cool evening yet we still wanted...ice cream...the fire helped.

Nathan getting a picture by the penguin.

Eveywhere we went he wanted a picture with the penguins.

Those were about the only smiles we got the entire trip.

Uncle Norval and Aunt Susie came down from

Charleston, SC to visit and eat supper with us.

We ate at the Crazy Crab. The food was delicious.

Nathan ran.....

......and RAN

....and RAN.....all day long on the beach!

Picture from our room looking down at the Pool

and out the other way towards the ocean. Perfect

Room location.

One of Shelby's favorite things on our vacation

was just sunning herself!

AND SWIMMING!

Nathan shown here again...running!

Nathan and Dad digging in the sand and making

a fort! They suffered thru the wind while Shelby

and I headed for the room to get ready for supper.

Nathan was so funny. He went around

stomping the sand saying...FEE...FI...FO...FUM!

We had fun riding bikes along the beach front.

It was great exercise; however, no matter how

easy it was heading south down the beach it was

extremely difficult heading back north in the wind

(especially with Nathan riding tandem).

Family Photo on the HH Dunes.

Shelby's Monday Night Bike Ride

Breckley's, a local bike shop that just opened started a Monday, family night of biking.
We all met at Central Park downtown with our bikes, helmets and water bottles and
went for a ride. Most of the riders planned on riding 12 miles; however, Shelby and I
made 2 miles. We plan on riding further next Monday evening but enjoyed the beautiful
weather and the exercise. If anyone wants to join us it's every Monday evening at 6:00 p.m.
now until time changes in the fall.

Nathan's Day at the Airport with Pre-school Class

Boy did we have a great day at the, airport. We started at the airport, firestation.
It was really interesting and the kids got to try on the heavy, spray tank they pack
on their backs. It was heavy!!!!

Then from there we walked over to the control tower. WOW....it was fascinating.
Preschoolers typically aren't allowed in the control tower; however, one
of Nathan's classmates' mother works there so we got LUCKY! They allowed
us to sit in the control booth where they can see planes on a radar. The children
were really good about not touching buttons and listening. I'm sure it was tempting
because there were buttons EVERYWHERE! After viewing that room we went up to the 6th
floor which was where the controllers radio the planes and they can see out the windows
from all sides of the building. We got lucky and saw an airplane come in and a helicopter
that not only flew by but circled the entire control room. The boys went NUTS!

From there we walked over to the main terminal and walked through while Mrs. Woods
explained to the children where you would check in, where they check your bags,
and on to the gates. We sat for a spell and rested as we waited on another airplane to
land. Pictures of evidence of our FUN trip and everyone had a great time.

Mrs. Woods and Pre-4 class

Nathan, Kyle and Elijah watching the plane taxi in after landing.

The boys up in the control center watching for planes.

Nathan trying on the spray tank...heavy!!!!

Firefighter showing the children the protective head gear they wear.

Catch'N Up with ya' all!

Hannah Broeker News: I was fortunate enough to spend the day with a special girl named
Hannah, today! She always brightens up my day and puts a smile on my face. She's amazing!
She wasn't really feeling well but always musters up the energy for some fun and exploration.
She got into Nathan's toy chest, with some of my conjoling, and brought out plenty to play with. Included in her finds were some 3-D glasses, shown here and, once again, the GORGEOUS, GOGGLES! She loves these things. We are enjoying our day as I speak and as always look forward to the next time we get to spend some time together.

Shelby News: Shelby made a visit to the orthodonist yesterday. She had a great check-up

where they changed her bands and the wire on her braces and said, "things look great...see

you in 6 weeks." She did so well that they gave her a princess tiera. She looked beautiful. She

enjoyed it so much she wore it all evening.

Nathan News: Nathan dressed himself for church today. He dresses himself usually but he took dressing for church very serously TODAY. He came into my bathroom with his white oxford shirt and a tie, yes a tie. He wanted me to button him up. He said "I'm going to be a

gentleman today." I proceeded to button him up, all the way up to his dismay. He was not happy with it buttoned all the way up even though I told him that's the way it goes so he can

put his tie on. Well, needless to say, he took over. He unbuttoned the top button went and

got his "suit coat" and put the tie over that (it was a clip on). He looked great. As you can see

he even added a "top hat". He is precious. Don't forget to look at the shoes. He loves wearing

his dress shoes to church. I hope he NEVER grows out of wanting to dress up. He looked so

handsome (even if he was a little mismatched and a little wrinkly).

More Nathan News: Nathan has been introduced to soccer. I was unable to attend his first game because of a planned trip to CM in Indy; however, David said he is AWESOME! He came home and started practicing. He was using a baseball for a soccer ball LOL. So....today I went and purchased a soccer ball and some cones so (if/when) it gets nice outside we can practice.