Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Charleston: We're the Parents Now?


The Next Generation

From the top, left to right: 
Phoebe, Stella and Lily
James, Caroline, Jack, Kayla and Emma
Jake and Patrick


Jake


Patrick


Caroline


James

(Lucas, Anthony and Eric dodged these photos. Some traditions continue.)



A very dedicated photographer. 

(Thank you, Kathy! The photos you've been sharing are AMAZING!)


 Happy Tricia


 Knitting Lessons on the Beach. Why not?



Stacy organized a sunset craft for the kids one night which was a total hit. The girls love their shell angels and can't wait to hang them on our Christmas tree. 


It really was a trip to look over at Ellen at one point on the beach and say, "Wow. We're the parents now. How strange is that?" It was really cool to remember these kinds of reunions through childhood memories but to also experience them anew as an adult with children of my own. It was a real gift to see my girls playing with all the other fabulous kids (and to still sort of feel like one the kids myself!). 

Charleston: Settling into Folly



Oh, dear Atlantic, how I love you. You hold so many childhood memories for me, and it was so incredible to see my girls dip their toes into your waters for the first time.  


Thanks to Stacy's expert guidance, Stella took to boogie boarding like a little pro. (On the first full day at the beach, I think she was boogie boarding for five straight hours. No joke.)


And while Phoebe took a little longer to feel comfortable with the ocean's powerful waves and currents, she quickly learned how fun it is to run in and out of the water. 


It was so great to catch up with so many beloved family members. 

(Aunt Mary, Mom, Leigh, Aunt Joan & Tricia)


Two of my favorite people on this planet - Tricia and Jim


Three of the many paparazzi - Leigh, Lauren and Mom



So those of you who were with us at Folly Beach or know Phoebe well know that she is a masterful tickler. Yes, she enjoys a good tickle herself, but she prefers to do the tickling. I could tell who she had bonded with - Auntie Tricia, Charles, Stacy - when she would flash a grin at someone, squeal "Armpit!" and then dive into a tickle fight. 


These two remind me of each other so much. I love it. 



Gabbing on the porch.


This gorgeous girl is becoming so mature and sophisticated. She is truly delightful. 



Check out the winds before Hurricane Debbie skimmed the coastline. Beautiful!



And check out Brian mere hours before the stomach flu knocked him down. (Brian wins the Good Sport award of the Petroski Reunion 2012. He weathered the bug gracefully and quickly.)


Can you believe this was our view every evening from our house - an ever-changing sunset over a Low Country marsh.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Charleston: A Beautiful City


Charleston is a beautiful city. The architecture is gorgeous, the colors are bright and the history is rich. My mom, Aunt Joan, Tricia and I spent an afternoon walking around downtown. It was such fun to catch up with one another as we oohed and ahhed over shutters and iron work. 



The ladies and their truffles. 




Sunday, July 15, 2012

Charleston: Tooling Around


A few weeks ago, we headed to Charleston for a Petroski family reunion (my mom's side). And while I'm glad I packed painter's tape (see below) in our carry on (seriously - brilliant fun for hours), the girls were awesome on the plane. I think they were grumpy for about two minutes during the entire trip. 



After a great night of sleep at my cousins' Jim and Stacy's house - the coolest hosts in the world - we trekked out with borrowed strollers and bikes to tour the town. After visiting the amazing albino alligator at the Charleston Aquarium, we tooled around to admire the gorgeous architecture and beautiful live oaks. Despite the heat, we were all pretty smitten.



And hallelujah for cool fountains. Any excuse to spend an entire day in a bathing suit makes my girls happy. This wild fountain had us giggling along with tons of Charleston kids. 




And then we stumbled upon a giant pineapple fountain that blew our minds. How cool! Can you see those kids under the fountain. They can literally swim to the base of the fountain under the center. It's like a  little cave under there. 



Skeptical... 


... and sold.

(I so appreciate how Phoebe takes her time to warm up. Many people label her as shy, but I really love how she knows how to ease into a situation or a new environment. She may be slow to warm but once she's ready, she dives in with gusto.) 



I LOVE this shot. A good long day in a new city. 


And oh, the sweetgrass baskets. 


It's hard for this mama to resist this view. It never gets old. 


Sigh. 



Here Stella draws with cousin Charles. Considering he is an extraordinarily talented artist, we were thrilled to hear her sharing her vision and perspective with him like she was just one of the greats. I love the natural ease and confidence kids have at this age. They just know who they are. No filters. No hang ups. She's just Stella - an amazing little artist with a huge heart. 

This is just the beginning... more to come!