Goodnight Irene!

One of our favorite bedtime songs, Goodnight Irene, couldn't have been more fitting as we took the western route to South Carolina to avoid an unwanted guest in Ms. Irene. We stopped in Pinehurst after about 6 hours, and couldn't have asked for a more beautiful pit stop, especially at the "evacuation rate." A golfer's paradise and a beautifully decorated room for our overnight stay. Aside from Luke falling out of the bed at 3 a.m., we had a lovely time.

Then off to Isle of Palms outside of Charleston SC. A wonderful recommendation from a friend, we had a little condo right on the beach. Days were beautiful, hot and windy. I learned a couple things when visiting the beach with a three month old and three year old. Pay the rental company to set up your umbrella and chairs - absolutely worth it to have a sturdy umbrella to hide baby under.  Having a pool right around the corner from the condo is key - as much as Luke loved the beach the pool was an awesome and more controlled diversion. And lastly, bring every baby-carrying contraption you own. Sadie changes her opinion every day - ergo was the carrier choice of the week and worked perfectly for early morning walks on the beach. It is my favorite, too. 

Luke and Sadie chilling on the screened in porch. 

And together on Miss Betty's cute little playmat.

Daddy and Sades checking things out.

Hanging out at the pool...

And out for dinner in Charleston at the fabulous restaurant Husk. HIGHLY recommend! Thanks to the iphone video feature and a baby who has decided life outside of the womb is actually fairly entertaining, we had an incredible 2.5 hour meal complete with two courses, an outstanding German pinot noir, cappuccino, and dessert. Luke's dinner consisted of the ice cream that accompanied my GF peach cobbler.

Luke drinking his beloved one-box-a-day juice on the beach.

Sades in her cute little Rikshaw diaper cover. I am obsessed. Also with Pink Chicken diaper covers (currently on great summer sale).

Luke had blisters from pushing his dump truck on the beach. And to think I almost didn't squeeze it in the car. 90 percent of beach time was spent pushing this thing!

POOL! How much do I love Land's End swim tops - as the company is based in Wisconsin, the shirts pay tribute to the state - this one to my place of birth - Whitefish Bay!

More pool chilling.

Sadie's baptism in the Atlantic Ocean!

Sweet smiling Sades.

If you go, here's the info on renting the chairs and umbrella!

Ah, beautiful South Carolina.

Last but not least, perhaps we were meant to live in Charleston! After all, it was the only city in America Dan and I could agree to live besides D.C. GO BADGERS!!