South Carolina Trip

The kids and I had the opportunity to go to South Carolina this summer.  We were there almost 4 weeks.  (As already noted in previous blog entries, we went so that Ivan could go to Camp Talisman).

Emily and I were blessed to have time to spend together.  We were also blessed (Ivan, too - before and after camp) to spend time with family :o)  Grandma Williams came while we were there...that was awesome!  We were able to spend time with the children's great grandmother.  She was not doing very well, but she is a very brave, strong, and intelligent woman.  She tried to keep a happy outlook.  She did end up in the hospital while we were there.  We tried to visit her often.  I think the children have happy memories with her (even though she was in the hospital).  She came home from the hospital the day we left.

We were able to fit in a few fun and interesting excursions just for Emily.  The following pictures were taken to share with you.  I hope you can feel the joy and fun we had in South Carolina this summer :o)

Leaving on the "budget" plane :o)

At Great Grandma's house we met up with the cutest trio ever: Andrew, Lauren and Kesley

Andrew has grown! This is my second time holding him.  I got to see him this past April when Ivan and I came for medical leave.

Stephanie and Justin are the parents of the cute trio.  Stephanie is Jay's cousin on his mother's side.

Here is Aunt Starr, the grandmother of the cute trio.

Uncle Butch holding his grandson, Andrew.  He is Grandma Williams' brother.

We were invited to a 4th of July breakfast at a Spartanburg ward.  Here you see Uncle Butch, his youngest son, Daniel, and a friend.

Andrew in his 4th of July clothes. (You can never have too many pictures of Andrew!)

A happy grandma :o)

After the yummy 4th of July breakfast, we were invited to go kayaking at Bowen Lake.  Starr says this is something they usually do on the 4th of July.  It was my first time kayaking.

Bowen Lake

Lucky to have a home by the lake's shore.

The geese are out enjoying the day.

There are many boaters on the lake.  We stay close to the shore, but Emily, Daniel, and Nathan cross over to the other side. (yikes!)

Later on that day, Emily and I are invited to a big 4th of July celebration at another cousin's house.  Here we get to see Aunt Candy's children and grandchildren.

Emily is being entertained by some of the gorgeous grandchildren.

Another happy family!  Kel and Lindsey.  Kel is Jay's cousin on his mother's side.  The cutest boy ever is Grady.  They also have a beautiful new daughter.

Aunt Candy holding her son Kel's beautiful little girl.

Here are some of the "fireworks" the children got to do.

While these look pretty tame, I must tell you that South Carolina allows fireworks that are illegal in many states....so, needless to say, even though I didn't take pictures, the fireworks set off were absolutely amazing!

Before the fireworks in the evening, there was lots of great BBQ food (hamburgers & hot dogs).  There were delicious salads of all kinds.  It was SO heavenly to be sitting in America on the 4th of July with family eating traditional BBQ food (don't forget the sweet and juicy watermelon, too)....oh, it was good.  I'm just sorry I didn't take more pictures.

Here we are (finally) at the Hub City Bookshop.  Going to this book store was on Emily's "bucket list".

This book store is not your ordinary run-of-the-mill book store.  It is operated by writers and promotes local authors.  You can find their published books here.  They also sell other popular and current books in the market.

The first day we went, it was closed.  We discovered that many stores close for the entire week of the 4th of July.  I'm told this has been a tradition in this city for as long as people can remember.  Well, it meant we had to wait until the week after the 4th of July.  It was open the second time we tried (yeah! ).  

Isn't this part of downtown Spartanburg pretty?

There was a nice cloud coverage and warning of rain the day we went to Carowinds (which was a good thing because there were fewer people there - shorter lines - and it never did rain while we were there).  What is Carowinds?  You are about to find out.

Looking forward to roller coaster fun!! (Not me, of course, just Emily and her cousin Daniel.)

Can you "spy" Daniel and Emily among the crowd? 

What is this?

They have to wear special gear for this one.

After the gear is on, the lecture.

Hold your hands up high...wouldn't want to miss a buckle.

The first big "drop"....there's more to come!

Good luck...may the force be with you.

I don't know about them, but I have that "sinking" feeling.

The journey up into the sky.

Higher....

and higher....and.....

Wheeee!!! down they come, wind whistling in their hair.

Up...up...and away they go.

They swing back and forth.

Fly and be free!!!!

Can you spot Emily in this picture?

It may have ended too quickly for them, but I've about passed out!

Exhaustion after the crazy adrenaline rush.

That's my girl with a grin on her face.  She didn't get her love of big scary rides from me - that's for sure!!

Look at them.  Don't they look like two superstars on the red carpet?

Maybe we should have saved this ride for last.  Now nothing will top that crazy experience.

They go on to other roller coasters and...

I entertain myself by taking pictures of beautiful flowers :o)

In between rides Emily poses with me.  I must say that she is wearing Daniel out.  It's hard to keep up with this roller coaster loving maniac!

We went on this ride several times.  Yes, I also went on this one, I had to...we had to get BOOCIFER and save the world!!!!

Be scared, be very scared....this is the house of Boocifer.

Awwww....look out!

Daniel after he conquered Boocifer.  (The world cheers.)

We need a little rest after all that excitement.  So we go visit the house of the real live geese and....  

feed them :o)

Geese are especially nice after the house of Boocifer.

Hello, have any bread crumbs today?

You can see there are many, many geese and it is nicely landscaped. 

This is the only other ride I went on.  I always like the log flumes.  It was definitely fun, well, at least I'm smiling so I must have survived the rapids and didn't get too wet.

Until we meet again Carowinds....this is Sheriff Emily and Deputy Daniel signing off.

We can't be in America and not go visit a public library.  This particular library is fantastic!  It even has a great outside playground from the children's area.  Two thumbs up!  Sadly, we can't check any books out, but we can still drool.

Speaking about drooling, this is our last evening with our beloved grandma and friend (Jay's mom).  She treated me and Emily to a Japanese meal.

Some pictures just don't need words.

We had a great time.

  

Grandma Williams returned to Salt Lake City, Utah and Emily and I headed to our old stomping grounds, Virginia.  We planned to meet some dear friends living there.

 I can't tell you how many times while we lived in Virginia, that we stopped by this very outlet store and gorged ourselves on chocolate.  (Hey, I'm not saying I'm proud of it.)

Inside the wondrous discounted chocolate and sweets outlet.  We bought a box of "ugly" chocolates for Jay, but he never saw them.  (Don't say anything ;o)

At last! the reunion with our friends.  Emily's friend Cambree and my friend (Cambree's mother) Melissa.  The rest of the gang are really cool, too, if you ever get the chance to meet them.

After dinner, the kids went for a swim at the apartments where our friends live.  Everyone had a blast :o)

Cambree stayed overnight with us in the hotel.

The next day Emily and I are going back to Spartanburg (about an 8 hour drive), but first....

more fun with our friends!!!

Here they are getting ready for laser tag.

After our "good-byes" with our friends, we stop at the Golden Goose.  As you can see, it is an all-year-round Christmas store.

This store is in the little historic town Occaquan.  I was walking around Occaquan when I went into labor when I was pregnant with Emily.  Grandma and Grandpa Williams were with us.  They had come to visit.  They drove me to the hospital and Emily was born several hours later (fond memories).

When we make it back to Great Grandma's house we get caught up on The Andy Griffith Show.  (I love that show :o)

This is Great Grandma's famous refrigerator.  Here you can see posted (more on other side of fridge, too) the loves of her life.  You may even see a few familiar faces amongst the group.

Everyone likes to take time when visiting to gaze at the pictures on the fridge.  It sure brings back happy memories (some funny) and you can see how everyone has grown.  It's pretty great.

Believe it or not - this is my gray head.  Of course, it always looks more grey in the picture than in real life.  (Is grey spelled grey or gray?)

Here is Great Grandma's little dog, Cocoa.  She is missing Great Grandma while she is in the hospital.

On our last day in Spartanburg, we went swimming at YMCA.  One last fun day before the big flight back.

Ivan is swimming in the lazy river - upstream like a salmon.

Look who works at the pool!  Yes, it is Daniel.  He's a life guard.

Aunt Starr and Emily have long chats.  I'm busy taking pictures and avoiding getting wet (it is one of my "I feel like a cat" days).

Starr enjoying two of her grandchildren!

Emily is enjoying the pool, too.

I love pools with slides....

for the kid's fun, that is.

Stephanie joins the fun with her children and mom.

Andrew is saying it's time to go now.

Emily is really good with children.  Look at Andrew smile.

Look at these two cute cousins!  Tomorrow we will be on our way back to Frankfurt.  So glad we got the chance to see our family while we were in the USA.  Thank Heaven for families!