This Thanksgiving we got to see what all the fuss was about when Gigi and Papa asked us to meet them in Isle of Palms, SC! My girlfriends had raved about Charleston for years, specifically Wild Dunes where they rented the house, so we were giddy to get down there! Plus, any time we're with Gigi and Papa means lots of fun all planned out for us...a busy mama's dream!
Like most suckers, we experienced the not-so-awesome part of Thanksgiving travel when we left to join the rest of the Eastern seaboard on 95 South at 2:30 pm on Tuesday....in the rain. Aron, being the road warrior that he is, drove the whole way. 8 and a half hours turned into more like 11+ which got us to Gigi and Papa around 2:00 a.m. In typical fashion, they presented an offer of wine and cocktails that even the most haggard of travelers couldn't pass up, which resulted in THIS still happening at 3:00 a.m.:
We figure they slept a lot in the car.....who cares, it's vacation!
(Words all 5 of the grandparents likely never thought they'd hear me say!)
Lunch the next day brought us to Poe's Tavern. It was a gusty day, with a very New England feel to it. The decor was super cool and the food was delish!
Back at the house it was time for a little 6th birthday sequel for Hadley, with a full on gorgeous cake fit for a princess!
Somehow the birthday girl wiggled out of her party hat...
Huffin and puffin those tricky candles out!
One of the many spoils of her southern bday celebration included her very own lacrosse stick with hot pink carrying case, cage for her eyes which all the girls have to wear now, and balls! I was super excited about this and brought my stick down too so we could play together and work off some of that birthday cake!
And then the presents just kept on coming.
Tied for the favorite gift with the lacrosse stick had to be the big girl make up kit Gigi put together for Hadley. I say "big girl" because Gigi assembled the make up and accessories herself from the brands us grownups would pick...not the cheesy goopy kids stuff. With this comes great responsibility to not look like a street walker just because you have access to this much make up. Gigi worked on the art of subtlety a little bit with her so hopefully she'll catch on!
Gigi and Papa politely gave us the boot so we could go into Charleston together, walk around the cute shopping area, grab a drink, and then a super yummy dinner together kid-free!
Thanksgiving Day brought parades, peacocks, butterflies, indians, cowgirls, football, food, and lots of fun hanging out around the house and on the beach!
After the main meal we all had a chance to sample (or grab 2 pieces, in my case) Hadley's very own very first pumpkin pie Gigi helped her make from scratch...crust and all! It was AMAZING!
No surprise what Harper's favorite part was.
Black Friday is not at all a scary day in Charleston, so we took to the streets to check out the open air market and some of the boutiques. Next time (hint hint ;)) Gigi and I will ditch the kids and the men and hit the streets together!
Cutest.Idea.EVER! The Wild Dunes immediately switched gears to Christmas on Saturday and made a gingerbread house out of a playhouse and we were the first on hand to start the decorating!
The girls weren't quite sure at first what to do with their plates of icing, candy, and knife...I know what Harper was thinking though :)
Such a fun idea! Let the decorating begin!
And then there was dancing!! Hadley took to the floor solo, just flitting about as soon as she heard the music start, and then Gigi and Harper joined in. Soon Daddy and Mommy too.
Guess who stopped by?! "QUICK girls!! Santa's here, no lines, WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS?!" They were limited to asking for 1-2 things since the puppy is their real gift!
Harper, not surprisingly, was a little hesitant at first and we stood up top to safely watch from a distance for a little bit. Eventually she got up the nerve and as long as I was holding her she felt comfortable telling Santa what she wanted. We walked away a little unclear what exactly was asked for, so we'll be writing letters ASAP.
All smiles as the resort officially lights up for Christmas!
Reading before bed is now becoming an opportunity for Hadley to show us how much she's learning. Watching her learn more and more words is SO fun!!
One last family nap for us before we set the alarms for way before the sun comes up to hit the road back to VA. Good news is we didn't run into any weather or traffic and it was a breeze!
Thank you, Gigi and Papa, for a great Thanksgiving!!
XOXO
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