North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina July 2021

 Wednesday - July 14, 2021                                  Memphis, Tennessee

We left home in the morning and drove east on I40 to Memphis.  We hate driving this interstate because of the traffic, but were invited to spend the night at Mabry and Kim Ford's in Memphis.  We got to their house in the middle of the afternoon.  Mabry barbqued ribs for dinner and Kim made potato salad and other sides.  It was really good.  We all sat up late visiting because it had been so long since our last visit.

Thursday - July 15, 2021 through Friday - July 16, 2021            

We got up, had coffee, then went for breakfast before leaving Memphis.  It was really enjoyable getting to visit with friends.  We continued east on I40 until we got to our hotel in Tennessee where we spent the night.  On Friday we continued east until we got to a hotel about 1 1/2 hours from North Myrtle Beach. 

Saturday - July 17, 2021

We slept late and drove about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to North Myrtle Beach, North Carolina to the beach house that Mike and I had rented for the family.  We were very excited about this trip because the entire family hadn't been together since before Covid in January 2020.  Mike and I were the first to arrive at the house and Scott and Cristin's family arrived shortly afterward.  While waiting on Eric's bunch we unpacked and the kids found the giant Jenga set and played with that a while.  This house had three bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs and one bedroom and bath downstairs.  Eric, Serena, Lilly, and Isaac stayed downstairs.  The other six kids stayed in the bunk bedroom and Scott and Cristin had the bedroom which shared the bath with the bunk room.  Mike and I got the master suite with its own bathroom.

Hunter, Aslynn, Elli, and Oscar playing Jenga

Posing for a group shot

Eric and family got there about two hours later.  All of the children were excited to see each other.  It had been 1 1/2 years since they had been together, and Aslynn and Hunter had not even met everyone before. 

Aslynn, Elli, Caroline, Carson

The girls are happy to see each other

After buying groceries and settling in everyone walked 3 blocks to the beach.  This wasn't our first choice for a place to stay, but the house was great and the walk to the beach wasn't too far.

Oscar, Hunter, Elli, Aslynn, Caroline, and Carson 

Enjoying the water

The kids loved jumping over the waves

More fun in the water

After playing in the water and having dinner we played some board games, visited, and settled in for the night.  A good start to our week.

Carson, Elli, Isaac, Hunter playing a game

Sunday - July 18, 2021

We all slept in, had breakfast, then packed things for going to the beach.  We spent the entire day at the beach with breaks back at the house resting.  Another good day.

Isaac, Caroline, Lilly, Elli, Aslynn, Hunter, Oscar, Carson

Had to do a silly pose

Everyone enjoying the water

The kids enjoyed riding the boogie boards

Monday - July 19, 2021

We basically did the same thing this day taking advantage of good weather to play at the beach.

Mammy riding a boogie board

Hunter and Carson riding the waves

More wave riding fun

Mammy, Lilly, and Carson

Girls had fun under the deck playing Jenga

Aslynn, Elli, Caroline, Lilly

Tuesday - July 20, 2021

Today Scott and Eric played golf on one of the local golf courses, Cristin visited several local book stores, and the rest of us played some miniature golf.

The grands posing on the steps of the house

Always have to have a goofy picture

Lilly, Elli, and Mammy riding the train to hole 1

Caroline, Aslynn, Serena on the train

Isaac, Grandpa, Hunter, Carson, Oscar 
in the car behind us

Oscar, Hunter, Grandpa, Carson, Isaac on their course

The guys had a good time

Elli

Lilly

Mammy, Aslynn, Lilly

Aslynn, Lilly, Elli, Caroline

After mini golf, we went to the ice cream shop for a much needed treat.  We visited this spot several times.

At the ice cream shop

Enjoying the ice cream

Wednesday - July 21, 2021

Today we drove to the end of the island to a place next to the intercoastal water way.  Scott and Eric fished and the kids enjoyed building dams, catching hermit crabs, and playing in the the calm water. 

Isaac

Enjoying the calmer water

Showing their hermit crabs

Another shot 

After dinner everyone except Mike and I walked on the beach in the dark looking for ghost crabs.  They didn't have luck finding the crabs, but the kids had fun playing with glow sticks.

Thursday - July 22, 2021

We mainly just hung out, went to the beach, and enjoyed our time together today.

Family Photo

And the silly shot

Aslynn, Elli, Mammy, Caroline in our beach hats

Friday - July 23, 2021

Today everyone except Serena, Lilly, and Cristin went on a head boat deep sea fishing.  Serena, Cristin, and Lilly went shopping.  We didn't have too much luck fishing, but all of the kids did catch several small fish.  The excitement of the day was that Mammy dropped her phone in the ocean.  Not fun for Mammy.  

On the boat - last photo before I lost my phone

Saturday - July 24, 2021 through Monday - July 26, 2021

We packed up, cleaned the house, and all went our separate ways heading home.  It is always sad leaving, but we had a great time at the beach.  Mike and I took two days to get home.  Nothing special about the trip home, which is always a good thing.