Sullivan Sound Off

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Vacation 2011-Hanging Out On The Dock!

I have to say, my favorite part of vacation was just hanging out on the dock. In fact, from Sunday night to Wednesday afternoon, that was about all we did! I did leave for a few hours Tuesday night to meet up with some friends from high school for dinner. The only downside to spending our first few days on the dock was the fact that we had to cram everything else we wanted to do into our last 3 days. It rained on Thursday, so we didn't get to go to the Sands, the Waterfront Park or the old Fort Fremont. We have been to all of these places before, so it really wasn't a big deal. There's always next year for that! Those 3 days, we had friends and family in and out. So, we hungout on the dock, visited and watched the guys and the kids fish. It soooo nice and relaxing! Steve's dad brought his crab basket and shrimp net up, so they could catch dinner for Tuesday night. More photos to come of the fishing and crabbing!

One of my favorite places in the world!

Dusty's first walk down to the dock

My 3 hanging out with their feet in the water. That was until Bry got stung by a jellyfish!

There were plenty of seagulls hanging around!

And lizards...

Steve's sister Carrie and niece, Destinae

Bry was in heaven. Hanging on the dock, listening to her ipod and texting! Who could ask for more?

Crane in the marsh

Beautiful sunrise over the marsh!

The dolphins were really my favorite part. We had a bout 6 of them that came and went throughout the trip. I was like a kid everytime I saw them. I tried to get pics, but this was the best I could do! Love them!

Devin, Bry and Jordan in their stylish hats! Goofy kids!

Dusty and Devin

Bry and Devin. There's only 6 months between these two.

Steve's sister Kim and Bry

Steve's sister Tina and her son Ashton.

Ashton watching for dolphins.

Ashton may be small, but this kid is a firecracker!

Ashton hanging out with Damonte and Dusty

Steve's Mom with Ashton, Tina and Jordan. I love this picture!

You will notice I don't have very many pictures of Jordan. This would be why.....

Bryson

Dusty

Steve's nephew Damonte

Me with the 3 kids before we left to go home. :(

Lizard watching

Mom having one last cup of coffee on the dock before we headed home....

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Vacation 2011-On the Way There

We had another wonderful vacation to Beaufort this year! The one sad part was the fact that Steve couldn't get off of work, so he wasn't able to go. We missed him! One of the best parts? We took 2 cars and were separated into boys and girls cars. Which meant Mom and I got Bry. Ricky got Johnny, Jordan and Dusty. Guess who's car was more quiet! :) We stopped in Tennessee for the night. When we left the next morning, we decided to take a detour off of the highway and drive through the Smoky Mountains. It was a beautiful ride! I would totally recommend if you have the time, get off of the highway and take the scenic route. My little brother recently moved to Tennessee and I have to admit, I am totally jealous that he gets to enjoy that view everyday! We got to South Carolina Saturday night. Since we couldn't get into our cottage until Sunday, Mom, Ricky and Johnny stayed at a friend's house. The kids and I stayed at Steve's parent's house. His Mom and Dad were actually on their way home from Tennessee, so they weren't home until the next day. We ended up having a big old Sullivan slumber party! We ended up with 9 kids, plus myself, his sisters Brandy and Carrie and Carrie's husband Scott. And when you get a whole group of Sullivan's together it gets loud-Really loud! We had a really fun night. The kids got some cousin time together, while the adults enjoyed a few bottles of wine and some gossip!

Jordan and Bry

Bry, Jordan, Johnny and Dusty

The beautiful Smoky Mountains

Trying to catch a lizard

The four kids and Ricky

We made it to South Carolina! And you can see how excited my boys are! Welcome to my everyday life!

Much better....

Mom, the kids and I

A few bottles of cheap wine + good company = a fun Saturday night! :)

The kids enjoyed ice cream sundaes

Scott, Carrie, Devin and Destanie

Kids play card games these days???

The older kids-Bry, Devin, Tamara, Destanie and Jordan

The whole gang! I wish they could be together more often. They sure have a good time together. Bryson and Tamara are so much alike it's not funny!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy Birthday America and Bryson Renee!!!

I have always loved the 4th of July. I love the fireworks, family time and celebrating the birthday of this great nation! And to quote one of my favorite bands The Zac Brown Band-"I thank God for my life. And for the Stars and Stripes. May freedom forever fly. Let it ring. Salute the ones who died. The ones that give their lives, so we don't have to sacrifice, all the things we love". Happy Birthday America! I am so thankful to be able to live in the good 'ol USA!

On the 4th of July, 17 years ago, we were given another reason to celebrate this wonderful day. Our little firecracker baby, Bryson Renee was born. This beautiful baby girl has been our pride and joy from day one. Even through all of the sleepless nights when we were up with this colicky baby, we knew we were blessed. And from the moment the colic finally stopped, Bryson has truly been the happiest girl I know. Seriously, you just can't be sad around this girl! She always has a smile on her face. And she's usually singing a song and dancing around. I will miss her today. She is celebrating her birthday at church camp this year. It's going to be hard for her dad and I to be away from her on her birthday. But we know she is at one of her favorite places in the world. And she also has Jordan and her boyfriend, Luke with her. And countless other church camp friends that she has met over the years. We may be missing her, but she will be too busy to even think of us! It's only for a few days. I pick them up Wednesday night. She will go to the Vans Warped Tour concert on Thursday and we are leaving for vacation on Friday. She will be one tired girl and will probably sleep the whole way to South Carolina! Happy Birthday my beautiful girl!!!!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

I Am Counting Down The Days!!!

This time next week, I will be sitting on the end of this dock...

Looking at beautiful views like this...

And this...

And watching my kids hang with their cousins

And do a little fishin'
And hopefully eating fresh shrimp caught from one of these boats...
And relaxing with my toes in the sand....

Beautiful Beaufort, we are headed your way!!!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Happy Birthday to my Memaw!

My Memaw was one of a kind! She wasn't the pie and cookie baking kind of grandma. Instead, you would probably find her at the Thanksgiving table telling a dirty joke! Her loud cackle could be heard across the whole house!She wasn't the huggy, lovey kind of grandma. So, how did I know she loved me? Maybe it was the way she spanked my butt all the way from the road to the house when I was about 4 and decided that playing in the road would be fun. At the time, I thought she was being mean, but now that I'm a mom I realize that I scared her half to death! Or maybe it because she knew how much I loved her beef and noodles and baked beans, so she made that meal everytime I came to visit. I don't know what she did to those baked beans, but they were awesome! Poor Mom tries to get hers like Memaw's, but they are never the same. Very good, but just not like Memaw's! Or maybe it was because no matter how much she despised the Superbowl Shuffle, she let Travis, Trevor and I listen to it the every time it came on the radio when we were going to Michigan. And at that time, that song was played constantly! Or maybe it was the fact that she never had much money, but each and every one of her kids and grandkids had a gift under the Christmas tree. She would start shopping the day after Christmas for the next year. Some of my very favorite gifts came from her. She got me the western Barbie and Ken that had a little stamper that made lip prints. And as awful as they were,she bought me the super cool parachute pants that I longed for.I just wish someone would have told me how stupid they looked! When I got to be a teenager, I collected Christmas bears every year. I always knew she would get me my bear. My very favorite gift though, was the afghan she made for me. I think she made us all afghans that year. I pull that afghan out on cold winter nights and snuggle up in it. I always think of her when I get it out. It's a way of always keeping her with me. I always loved her Christmas tree. She always had those silver icicle things on her tree. And all her gifts had the ribbons that you curl with scissors. I remember going Christmas shopping in Lafayette with her. We sang Christmas carols all the way up there. Winter Wonderland was our favorite. We both sang at the top of our lungs. I'm sure we sounded like 2 howling dogs, but we had fun. When my birthday came around, I always knew there would be a card in the mail from her. It always had $5 and a long newsy letter about what she had been up to, what the weather was like. I think that's when it actually sunk in that she was gone. In 1998 when my birthday came around and there was no card. That nearly broke my heart. I loved Memaw with all my heart. I wish she were here today so my kids could know her. I know she would be proud of them. She would have been 82 years old today. And she would probably still be beating Grandpa Tom at Scrabble! He didn't have a chance against her! LOL! I could go on and on, but I have way too many memories and there just really aren't enough words to tell you how much I miss her. Happy Birthday Memaw! I love and miss you!