Before I begin this monster post recap, be sure to check out the Week 2 Update of our 101 Days of Summer Challenge – I love how many of you have loved the accountability of having to check in with me – we had a great week last week!
I also have to give a shout out to the lovely Erica at Itzy’s Kitchen – I won a recent giveaway of hers and received it last week but forgot to mention it – can’t wait to check it out! Thanks Erica!
The internet connection was so slow – I was beginning to think it was Hannah’s laptop, but when I used it at the airport coming home it was lightening fast. So what else is one to do but pour a glass of wine while waiting!
This was at the rental of my cousin Lynn and her husband Martin – they were so kind to let me stay there on Friday night! Here they are with my Aunt Cele at the cocktail party on Friday night.
Saturday morning before it got too hot out, I swam for about 30 minutes – I loved the pool! When I was by myself in the pool I did kicks off the side of the pool like I was on Biggest Loser! 😀
I loved all the different kinds of trees not only around the property but everywhere on the island – so different! My favorite was the magnolia trees.
Here is the prayer circle right before dinner on Saturday night – too many people to get them all in!
Luckily I had some hot sauces to chose from for my pork bbq!
It was a fun night, but I think I had more fun later that night at my Aunt and Uncle’s condo they rented for the week – that’s where I stayed the remainder of my time. We just sat up and talked about my grandparents and life in general, and as always when we get together we laugh so much! This is another example of the “unseen humor” Tony talks about!
Aunt Cele wanted bragging rights at her church – I believe 35 of us showed up for church and she was just beaming from ear to ear. One funny part was when the pastor announced “Cele you look great for 90!”
After church and lunch we headed to the beach! My cousins kids earlier were at the beach and brought home a couple dozen sand dollars, but we took them right back since they are still alive – its against the law to remove them!


My Uncle Dave just walked right in the water! I needed a little while to get used to the idea. Me and the ocean just don’t get along that well!
After a while on the beach it was time to get freshened up for my Aunt’s big birthday party! It was held at the Sea Pines Country Club.
Here I am with my cousin Karen’s daughter Kimberly – yep, I am actually wearing lipstick!
And me and Aunt Cele at the club – I hate how red my face still is!
The food was described as “heavy appetizers” and it was delicious! Everyone raved about this smoked salmon – I just loved the presentation!
I had cheese and crackers my first plate:
And then they had a pasta bar – I got broccoli, garlic, artichoke with shrimp and marinara sauce – it was really good!
I videotaped most of the toasts that night which I plan on transcribing – I’ll post those later in the week! It was a wonderful time, my Aunt was in her element the whole weekend and I hope it was everything she hoped for!
I didn’t take any pictures of our last trip to the beach. Sometimes its nice just to remember the memory in your head! My mom and I headed out around 9:00 and after 10 minutes letting the water splash our feet, we walked for 40 minutes. By the time we got back to our spot, the rest of my cousins and their spouses and kids came. I usually never go into the ocean past my knees because I got pulled by a rip tide when I was 16 and vowed I would never step foot in any ocean as long as I lived!
But this beach was different – the sand was firm and soft, and there was no pull when the waves came by – I actually went out to my neck! Of course, I never let my face go in the water but it was fun to “jump the waves!”
I had a connecting flight and my second flight was delayed two hours. Um, lets just say that Helen and I talked about it and decided that calories don’t count in an airport!

Then Tony picked me up!! I missed his lips and am glad to be home with him. Since we were right by our favorite restaurant (I can say that since I’ve been there twice now!) we stopped for dinner. I ordered a tri-colored pasta stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese over a creamy tomato sauce. Perfection again! I am actually going to try to recreate it – I’ve made spinach pasta before, now I want to try carrot pasta!
It was nice to come home, throw my clothes in the wash, get in my comfy clothes and snuggle with Tony on the couch – pretty sure we have about 10 hours of shit on our DVD to watch!
Looking forward to catching up on what everyone has been up to – its weird not checking any blogs for 4 days!
Hope you have a great Tuesday – off to figure out my food for the day . . . not even sure what’s in the fridge!
i feel the same way about water. I never learned to swim, so when I go to the beach with friends they try to get me to go out to mid chest…I am always so nervous…there are usually 4-5 people there all saying “you will be fine” still freaks me out
That pool looks so fantastic and refreshing. I love working out in the pool because it never feels as intense as running, biking…etc.
Looks like a festive time! I’m jealous of the pool! When I swim alone, I do those same kicks! 🙂
Looks like so much fun! I’ve never tried carrot pasta, but it sounds interesting!
What a lovely time it looks like! I find when I get in to these situations, I’m happier once it’s happening than I think I’ll be.
Love the sauce choices!
Aw, what a great time with your family. You can really see that you are related to alot of the people in your photos too 🙂
Sounds like a wonderful trip. Wish I had the time and money to go see my family in California. It’s been 10 years since I’ve been out there 🙁
It looks like you had a wonderful trip! It’s so nice to go away for a little while, but I love to come home!!
That looks like such a great family reunion! Family, Food, and Fun! you can’t go wrong with those 3 things…
Wow Biz you had such a nice get away. That salmon display is incredible, I would be afraid to eat it and mess it all up! So glad you got to see so much of your family. I got pulled out to sea once, it was terrifying but we made it back just fine but I was a bit afraid and careful after that. I will check the 101 and put my update in the comments section. I missed it but I will be good and do it this week.
What great pictures!! Looks like a fabulous trip. 🙂 And NO WORRIES on the magazines – i’ll be excited when they get here! And btw – I totally owe you an update… i’m not doing too well with my goal – sad!
hey girl – thanks for stoppin by! i picked peaches as this weeks BSI. yum!
-rebekah
Glad you had a nice trip! Will you shoot me an email so I have yours please and thank you! I can’t find yours and haven’t been able to update you on the 101 days challenge. Thank you much!
tylersoendker@gmail.com