The last of the Hilton Head vacation pictures!  I'm so far behind in my summer updates that we were gone all last week on our 2nd summer vacation and I'm still posting about our first!!

Of course no post is complete without a then and now picture!

We went back to the same mini golf course we visited 4 years ago so, obviously, we made the kids pose in the same spot!

Captain Mason looks kinda mean!

Even Noella looks scared

I think we may have picked the hottest and sunniest day/time to go out to eat at The Salty Dog.

Everyone survived but it was hit or miss with Kade being hot and hungry...uffda, that's a tough combo for that kid.

Hilton Head is amazing for riding bikes.  There's sidewalks everywhere and the beach is perfect for riding.  We took quite a few trips on the beach cruisers.

I think that net was a permanent extension of Mason's hand the entire trip.  I can't tell you how many water creatures he attempted to snag with that thing.  Best $5 we ever spent.

Mason, on the far right, in his usual position in the water....swinging the net hard at some poor little fish.

Our last night of vacation was spent in Atlanta at my brother's.  We all snuggled in for 1 last movie before heading home in the morning.

 

Still getting caught up on Hilton Head vacation pictures!

So, I really like popping zits.  Especially other people's.  I know it's gross but it's just so satisfying!  I told myself I would resist popping zits on my boys.  I don't want them to spread cause acne.  However, Kade has had a GIANT blackhead on his nose for months.  I couldn't take it any longer.  So I figured I'd try those strips.  It didn't work.  He finally just let me squeeze it out on vacation, and honestly I think he enjoyed it as much as I did!  He's constantly showing me new ones to pop!  I haven't popped anymore on him though it's been hard!!

We got up early (about 5:50 am) a couple mornings to catch the sunrise.  Kade didn't want to join us but Mason popped right up every time because he loves searching the tide pools.  On this particular morning, it was the day after 4th of July.  The beach had been busy the day before and we found a whole bunch of nice sunglasses!  Even a pair of Oakleys!  

We also found a shrimp...

and sea turtle tracks....

The sea turtles come on shore at night to lay their eggs.  So all along the beach there's little fences around the nests to protect the baby sea turtle eggs.

Apparently we got really lucky to see these tracks!  It would've been SO cool to see the turtle but we'll settle for these instead.

Inspecting a tide pool.

 ...lots of star fish...

...a Horseshoe crab shell...

I forgot my sunglasses that morning...thanks for the find, Mase!

...and of course Mason caught a jelly fish.

Kade happened to get stung by a small one on the very first day.  It looked like it hurt!

Holes and sand sculptures are not allowed to be left overnight on the beach due to the sea turtle hatchings. They hatch in the middle of the night and follow the light of the moon to find the ocean.  If theres holes, or mounds, they can't get to the ocean and they die.  One morning we happened upon a very big sand sculpture and the beach patrol came upon it at the same time.  He asked if it was ours (it wasn't) and then proceeded to destroy it.  We offered the kids to help, so he get them some shovels and rakes and they had fun destroying it.  

Kade and Vivienne got to go golfing!

 

Vacation Part 2

The post with ALL the fish pictures!!

Like I said, we only caught the following 3 fish on our first trip.  

A scalloped hammerhead shark

A stingray

And a bonnet head shark.

We kept the bonnet head for eating.  The captain filleted it for us and everyone tried a few small bites.

I'm told it was pretty bland.

I have a seafood allergy so I didn't even touch the fishing poles, let alone the fish!

The first fishing trip was super fun for half of us and not so much for the other half.

Kade and Vivienne got sea sick (no puking but close).  Noella got bored and I think 1 trip was enough for Evelyn, Grandma and myself.  

Mason, of course, wanted another 8 hours minimum.

So we booked another fishing excursion at the end of the week.  This one was for 5 hours and just Erik, Mason, Grandpa and Jeremy went on this one.  I'm told they caught so many fish they lost count but these are some of the good ones.

Mase worked so hard reeling this black tip in his arms and hands were numb!

He didn't want to hold it though, he said it was too wiggly and big and he was worried about the teeth!

Grandpa caught a hammerhead

Jeremy caught a couple small black tips

Another bonnet head.

Has there ever been a cuter, more exhausted shark fisherman?!?

Last but not least, we can't forget Erik's cute, little baby shark!