First REAL family Vacation

The time finally came for our first "real" family vacation!! We went down to North Myrtle Beach for a full week of beach, ocean, sun, and fun!!

We had been planning this trip for quite some time. It not only included our immediate family, but my husband's extended family. It was a family vacation that included 12 people. My husbands mother & her husband, father & his 2nd ex wife, sister & brother in law, brother & girlfriend, then our 2 kids. I like to say 2nd ex wife just because everyone thinks its funny (and cool) that Jason's dad went on vacation with both of his ex wives!! Not many people can get along after divorces, but this family sure can!! It's nice to see how well everyone gets along and can have fun together!  

This was my first experience with a large family vacation. I have always traveled, but never in this size group. My anxiety about how, or if, I would enjoy myself started early on. I wasn't sure how I would cope with not having my own personal space to retreat to. Doesn't help that I'm an only child and an introvert!! Thankfully the house we rented was big enough to have plenty of privacy -- if needed... Which I really didn't need much of. But this is where I came if I just needed a few minutes to myself... Off our bedroom was a nice private balcony... Awesome view too!

Was all good until I would go missing for too long and Jason and Alex would come searching for me!!

The vacation was awesome! North Myrtle Beach was a great choice. The house that we rented was amazing! 3 stories of just fun! Private pool, game room in basement, plenty of living space, and just 2 very short blocks to the beach. The fact that the house came with a golf cart made things so much fun - especially for Alex who insisted on going on "golf cart ride" at least 4-6 times a day. The golf cart by far was Alex's favorite part of the vacation.
Although you can't tell by his facial expression -- he loved the golf cart!

We kept ourselves busy with sight seeing, beach time, and family time. The guys did a lot of golfing and a day of deep sea fishing. The girls hung out at the beach/pool and did some shopping. I took Alex to few different sites in the area just to get out of the house and do something. He seemed to really enjoy himself -- especially if we were eating breakfast out!!  Toledo friends just happened to be in North Myrtle Beach at the same time so they came over for a cook out. Here is Alex and his friend/classmate Brooklyn (aka Brookee or Brookabee). It's funny that out of everyone, Alex is the one to have a friend over in a different state!!

I loved hanging at the beach, yet Jason and Alex weren't as excited about it -- love how the sand feels against my toes!!

We went to the Ripley's Aquarium and saw the sharks and all -- Awesome aquarium tunnel with fish surrounding you, yet, a little too $$$$ for the little bit that they have to see. Wasn't that impressed with it and honestly, you could go to the piers and see more wildlife excitement then the 1/2 hour of viewing in the aquarium. 

Jason and I were able to have a well overdue date night!! That was awesome! We went to Dick's Last Resort which Jason just found to be hilarious... He laughed until he cried at the entertainment. I think he could have stayed there all night. But we walked around and found fun things to get into at Barefoot Landing. 

So many other things we got the chance to do and see. Had a wonderful vacation -- even if the car ride was waaayyy too long with a toddler!!