A Time for Resolutions... or Not

January is typically a time for resolutions, but this New Year found us having such fun that we forgot all about any resolutions! 

Crazy we might be, but Matt and I decided to brave potential chaos and make a 10+ hour drive with all four little ones to Charleston, SC for the New Years holiday. We broke the trip up into two days (stopping over at hotels that had a pool!) and set smiles on our faces... come what may. Turns out: we had a wonderful time! 

The kids did wonderfully in the car. We kept back a few of their Christmas gifts and allowed them to be opened at designated stops along the way. Our van's entertainment system had quite the workout as did our prepacked activity bag of toys and snacks. But we arrived there as one happy family... and one week later returned happily too. 

The kiddos taking a soak in our beachhouse tub.

Some dear family friends joined us in renting a beach house for the week on Edisto Island. Our house set directly on the shore and it was such a joy to pursue normal household chores/activities (which of course must be continued whenever little ones "vacation" with the adults :-)) while a direct view of the waves filled every window. 

Daddy and his kiddos exploring the beach.

This was MJ and Jordynn's first time at the ocean. Jordynn was obviously unimpressed, but MJ enjoyed the miles of sand just beckoning him to dig through. Of course there were times during our family outings where he'd plop himself down in the sand and refuse to move. The joys of a toddler.

Matt spend part of the week working, but on his days off he was either out on the beach with the kiddos or taking a guys-only kayaking trip with a buddy. What a relaxing way to ring in the New Year with good friends, my favorite Charleston Coconut Cake, a terrific view... and a bourbon cocktail. Ahhh....

Once we returned home I worried the rest of January would drag by slowly, but somehow it sped past as all the months do. How are we already in mid-February and I'm just now posting this? January was so busy, in fact, that as I perused my camera for pictures I found only a handful!

Jordynn, 4 months (Taken at Edisto Island, SC)

Our little Jordy-Bug continues to bloom. She turned 4 months old while we were in SC (she's 5 months at the time of this posting!) and we just made it back home before she decided she was too old to hang out in a carseat for more than 5 minutes. She likes her freedom! I'm pretty sure I witnessed her first attempt at the army crawl a few weeks ago. She's quite determined and will figure out quite quickly the best way to get what she wants. Even if it's by throwing a tantrum. Yes, it's true. And guess who's the softy around here? Daddy. That's all I'll say about that. 

 

Jordynn uses her swing to nap meditate sometimes.

January brought us Midwestern-ers a few small snow storms.  The weather in January was actually quite bizarre, with a 70 degree day and a 4 inch snowfall occurring within the same week. The kids love the weather changes though. With the warm weather comes the ability to dig in the mud, pick Mommy's parsely in the garden, dig for bugs and picnic on the back porch. With the snow comes trips to Mawmaw & Pawpaw's for sledding, snow ice cream, and hot chocolate. MJ experienced some snow last year but has been able to play in it more this year. It takes me about an hour to get him dressed. :-)

MJ, 20 months

When we weren't running around on sugar-highs because of our snow ice cream and hot chocolate, most of the month found us living a pretty predictable schedule. Morenna and Jadyn enjoy helping me with tasks around the house, doing schoolwork, playing dress-up and attending their weekly kid's Bible study.

And that was our January! Now to go decorate those Valentine's Day hearts...