Easter Break

We spent the week before Easter in South Carolina with my side of the family. My parents have been building a house near my brother Mike, so it was our first visit since it's been done. We had a great time visiting with everyone. The kids loved playing together and getting to see their "big" cousins, as they call Mike's kids. Mikey is now 15 and driving, which seems crazy! He should have his official license in November. It was sort of a hectic time since there were still some final details that had to be done to the house. We stayed busy. One day, we went on a 3 mile hike with all the kids. It was hot! Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera that day. There were some beautiful views from up in the mountains.

My uncle also lives down there and his neighbor has a carpentry workshop in his barn. It kind of reminds me of Norm Abram. Amazing work! Anyhow, he built my brother a table for his large family. It is so beautiful and such a special addition to their home. They'll be able to enjoy meals together for years to come! They spent one morning sanding and staining it.

Here's my Uncle Mark, taking the kids for a ride.
Uncle Matt with Maren.
You can see the bottom of the table in the background.
Here's Carter, pretending to drive the four wheeler with Keira.
Carter, teeing off
We spent the day at Hollywild, a local petting zoo. The kids saw a black panther, bears, lions, farm animals, a rino and more. It was such a great park, low key but with lots to see and do.
Mike, with Jake and Tommy
We took the Safari ride, where the kids could feed the animals off the side of the bus or right their hand, depending on the animal.
Their tongues were so gross!!

Carter, taking the rope swing, at my brother's house.
Here are Leah and Hannah on the other swing. They spent hours doing this together. It was so cute! They were total buddies, only a week apart in age.
Jeremy and Brooks - nap time after golf.
Brooks and I.
One night, we went out on the golf course and played around a bit with the kids.
Here's Elliot, filthy as usual, after a full day of playing in the dirt!

Dad, teaching Leah


Keira, Leah and Madeleine playing dress up with some blankets.
Here's the whole family, just before we loaded up to head back to Ohio. Everyone else stayed for Easter, but Jer had to work on Monday and the kids had school so we ventured back and spent Easter Sunday with Jeremy's family.

Here are all the grandkids in the stairwell.

As soon we left, Jer says to me, "What can we do to Mike and Kel's house on our way out of town?" in his true prankster form. Mike was having some drainage put in around his driveway so there were a bunch of pipes stacked along one side. So, we swung through and rearranged things a bit. Jeremy then hung a bunch of toys in their trees. In the meantime, the kids were sitting in the car wondering what in the world we were doing. I'm sure we'll be getting a call someday when they're in high school after they've tee-pee'd someone's yard!

When Mike later tried to call us, instead of answering, I just sent him a text with a picture of Jeremy standing in the driveway. All in good fun. It was a great trip and we're hoping to get back down there soon!! Thanks Mom and Dad!!