I apologize for the extremely long hiatus from posting.  We had some laptop issues and I didn't have access to our home computer for awhile.  I have so much catching up to do, I barely remember anything about these pictures!!!  But I'll try my best.  Since my last posts of our Hilton Head vacation we've had a few baseball tournaments, another family vacation and the boys have started school!  So, yeah, I'm behind!! 

Mason had a goal for his hair, he wanted it to touch his nose.  Thankfully he reached the goal and then let me chop it all off!  Unlike his brother who just keeps letting his hair grow and grow and grow.  Mason's hair just seems to grow forward though, so he can't keep it out of his eyes no matter how hard he tries.

Before

After!

We went for a walk one evening and Kade thought that was a cool spot for a picture.  

I agree!

Eyota Days is the 3rd weekend in July.  That's how far behind I am!

The boys were in the parade for baseball.

It's like herding cats.

Here they come!

Coaches riding in style

Kade and some buddies played in a 3-on-3 tournament.

Discussing the games afterwards.

Youngest and oldest

Brooks and Kade

There was a family fun night in town one evening.

The ambulance, police car and fire trucks were there to explore.

Mason checking out the ambulance that he rode in when he was a baby and burned his arm and stomach.

He looks much happier this time than he did the first time he was strapped into this spot

Mason could not get enough of this police officer.

So.Many.Questions.

I'm not sure if he wanted to know because he's a future "cop" or "robber"😜

I like him in this spot of the cruiser rather than...

...this spot.

Kade hit his 2nd over the fence home run this summer.

Of course I wasn't there.  I happened to stay home that evening with Mason and I told him before he left, "don't hit any homers!"  In true Kade fashion, he didn't listen to his mama.

 

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!