From Virginia Beach we headed South to South Carolina to spend the week at Aunt Ann and Uncle Sheldon's house on Lake Keowee. We all had a great time visiting with the Taylors and the extended Tholstrup Family. Even more special was Grandma Zena being able to made the trip from Tennessee to enjoy all the family festivities. Here, the entire gang poses around Grandma for a 4th of July family portrait.
Sheldon, Elizabeth, Carson, Will, Meaghan, Natalie and Amanda pose with Grandma Zena!
Here is a great photo of Firecrackers Amanda (left), Natalie and Will trying to get Grandma to bring out a big smile! (Grandma Zena does not like photos!)
Earlier in the week we all had fun doing all kinds of fun water sports and outdoor activities. Lizzy enjoys a good book floating out on the lake near the dock.
Aunt Ann casts a big smile for the camera.
The kids love the water and Amanda loves jumping in from the dock to make a big splash!
Wow! It must be a hot day because Aunt Ann is rarely ever found in the water. Here, she helps Will practice his swim stroke after jumping in from the edge of the dock.
Natalie likes floating on top of the water!
There is an awesome pool and water slide at the lake that all really enjoy. There are many water games, sports, food and drink to be found here. Amanda practices her water entry skills.
Nothing but big smiles from Will after his turn on the slide!
Next is Natalie to give the slide a whirl!
Will gives it another, and another, and another and another and another trip down the cork screw!
After the pool, it was down to the beach for more water fun. If someone knows what Will is doing...please let us know!
On the beach they had kayaks, paddle boards and floating trampolines to enjoy. The kids had never been out on a kayak and both Natalie and Amanda go for a spin. Natalie is up first.
Next is Amanda.
Carson gives the paddle board a try.
Will goes for a ride with Dad.
Meaghan find a new use for the paddle board...we think it was an escape opportunity!
The floating trampoline was huge fun! Amanda is first to bounce as high as she could.
Both Natalie and Amanda give it a try to leverage each other's bounce.
"Hey Amanda! Where did you go?"
Uncle Clarence takes the paddle board out for a spin.
As does Aunt Melody, who was a speed demon on the water!
After the beach activities, it was back to the pool for some refreshments and some water games. The life guards were having some fun with the kids and challenged them to gather as many diving rings from the bottom of the pool as they could. All participants were winners and were able to select the ice cream of their choice! Below, Natalie, Amanda and Will were first in line as soon as they heard ice cream!
Yummy! This chocolate ice cream is good!
Wow, I will dive for rings anytime for this treat!
You can always tell how much Amanda likes something by how much can be found around her mouth and on her nose!
Will had such a large snow cone, he had to sit down in the sun for a few minutes to take a few bites. Aunt Ann stops by to see if she can have a bite. NO WAY!
Wow Dad! This is almost as big as my head!
I still think I can eat it all!
Riding the boat never gets old! Here, after the pool, Will changes into his superman underwear, goggles, life vest and silly smile to help drive the boat home.
All the kids took turns during the entire week and Uncle Sheldon was such a sport to coach each captain.
Uncle Clarence sits in the back of the boat with Amanda...both look like they are up to mischief!
Amanda, Natalie and Dad enjoy the breeze on a hot summer day.
Natalie, Mom, Will and Day snap a quick selfie!
Natalie, Mom and Will prepare to watch a beautiful sunset.
Carson, Uncle Clarence and Amanda talk about how much fun they had all week.
Lizzy, Will, Meaghan and Natalie also enjoy the view.
Cousin Sheldon and Aunt Melody think we all are crazy!
The end of our vacation was on the 4th of July, where we not only celebrate the birth of out county, but also the blessing of having such wonderful families. We had a great time with everyone and many thanks to our hosts for allowing us to crash their otherwise calm retreat on Lake Keowee. We will end this post with a photo from the 17th green overlooking the lake....
And some amazing shots of a gorgeous sunset.
