IOP Trip 2010

Last week the McIlwains and Pettits made our first annual beach trip to the Isle of Palms. We had a FABULOUS time and made many lasting memories. We all know each other too well now, but it was so much fun! We spent our days on the beach playing bocce ball, building sand castles and booging boarding. We then spent our evenings taking turns cooking dinner and playing an R-rated version of the game "Things". Our new slogan..."what happens at the IOP stays at the IOP!" We celebrated 2 birthdays while we were there...Jarrod and Mike. The guys also enjoyed some great golf while the girls enjoyed relaxing on the beach and in the pool. Finally, no beach trip is complete without a good game of putt-putt!

Three of the 4 grandchildren...


Mason enjoying the beach


From the back they look sweet, from the front they were screaming at each other!


Building sand castles with Mimi





Bocce Ball Tournament




Playing "Things" Incognito...


Happy Birthday to Jarrod










Bryan and Dad cooking Low Country Boil


MacKenzie loved boogy boarding


Putt-putt






Jarrod and I also got to meet up with some old friends while we were there. Nick and Katie Schumacher came by with their little girl, Carter. Also, Kelly and her boyfriend, Jamie stopped by to hang out for a while. The best thing about "old" friends is that no matter how much time goes by since you've last talked or seen each other, you always manage to pick up right where you left off!

What a great week...we hope to do it again next year! Thanks Dad and Susan for a great trip!

Two Nathan's Birthday Parties

This is a little bit late, but a few weekends ago, Mason and MacKenzie got invited to two birthday parties...both for a Nathan that was turning 4! The first Nathan had his at Pump it Up in Greenville. The second Nathan had a cowboy birthday party at the "farm". They had a great time. Thanks to both families for inviting our kiddos!

Nathan Needles birthday...





Nathan Trotter's birthday...

Arts and Crafts Day

I totally stole this idea from Brooke O'Neal...but it was so cute I couldn't resist! It was also a great activity to do with the kids on such a hot day. So, thank you Brookie, for the great idea and all the advice along the way! If Brooke and I get good enough at this we may host "arts and crafts" parties!! :) With her creativity and my OCD party planning, it might just work!! HAHA!

The kid's bathroom is already an ocean theme and I don't have any pictures in there, so this will be a great addition...



The SC flag - palmetto tree and crescent moon - will be a great addition to the playroom. It was our first attempt, so I'm still perfecting it, but for the first time, I think it turned out pretty well! Mason's is the Clemson themed one and MacKenzie's is the traditional SC one...

Cow Appreciation Day

We joined our next door neighbors at Chic-fil-a today for Cow Appreciation Day. We all dressed up like cows and got a FREE LUNCH!! Woohoo...I'm all about free things especially since I'm not working this summer!!

Throwing Rocks in the River

Today, the kids and I drove to Brevard to spend time with my Mimi. It's always been a tradition for her to take every child to the Pisgah National Forest to throw rocks in the river. So, today MacKenzie and Mason got to experience what every McIlwain child has done for the past 3 decades...and they threw rocks in the river!! We also had a nice picnic under a huge sycamore tree and we visited the fish hatchery where they raise trout. Afterwards we cooled off with some great ice cream. We loved spending the day with Mimi and cousin, Jamie. We even got to see "big" Nathan and Aunt Beth for a few minutes!!










After a long, hot day the kids curled up with Mimi in the chair and read books!