Beach Boys and a Birthday

I have come to end my hiatus from the B-Hive with tales of our family vacation. Oh yeah, my Little Man turned two while I was gone. It was a very special and emotional birthday. I am so proud of Owen and so proud of how he fought to make it to this day.

At the end of August, we took the kids to Myrtle Beach for our first beach vacation. It was a blast. My sister found a great deal on a long-weekend house rental so we decided to really make it a family affair. My parents and my sister and brother-in-law all came along. It was so wonderful that we all got to relax, have fun and spend time together. Wonderful memories were made.This was Carter's third trip to the beach and second trip to Myrtle Beach. He made a day-trip to the Jersey shore when we live "up North" when he was about 4 months old. When Carter was just a bit older than Owen we took a trip to Myrtle Beach. That trip was in March, and due to the weather it wasn't a true beach vacation. This was the real deal, and also Owen's first beach experience. The best part of the trip for me was watching my boys, experiencing it all through their eyes. True to form Carter, usually quite active and full of spunk, was quite hesitant and timid when it came to playing in the ocean. While Carter clung to us and ran for a towel to wipe the saltwater from his eyes, Owen was fearless and would have been in the water over his head had he been allowed. After the first day Carter was a little more brave and Owen settled down and respected the danger of the waves. Here are a few of the many photos of the boys loving the beach.

Owen checking out the sand for the first time.Carter playing in the sand.Owen can't wait to see the ocean.Carter running toward the waves.Owen playing in the ocean with Daddy.Carter and Aunt A playing in the waves.Carter and Aunt A running on the beach.Mama and Owen playing in the surf.Owen loving the ocean.
Carter and Aunt A playing "I declare war".The boys playing cars before starting the day.Owen thought this lion statue in our rental house made a great pet. Here he is feeding the lion a lime.The boys on the beachMama and Owen on the beachSurprise Mama, here comes the water!Playing in the wet sand.

Owen loves the feeling of the wet sand.Carter playing with Pappy in the ocean.Sisters on the beach.Aunt A playing with the boys in the pool.Pappy and Uncle Justin playing catch with CarterMy dad wrestling a gator at the Alligator farm.Aunt A and Carter sitting on a gator.Daddy and Owen at the Alligator farm.Lots of Alligators resting in the shade.Mama and Carter before going out for dinner.Standing on the dock with the boys.
The family at Murrel's Inlet

Here are a few photos of my Little Man's birthday celebration!

Wes and me before leaving for Owen's birthday dinner.Owen opening birthday gifts. Owen admiring his new dinosaur puzzle.Singing Happy Birthday to my baby, err big boy.
Owen pigging out on his cupcake.

If you have made it through this entire post, thank you. I promise not to stay away for so long this time!