Pawleys Island - Our Paradise

We had another wonderful vacation in Pawleys Island this week! GG and Papa hosted all of us at the good ole' Quay Mac house for a week full of fun in the sun. Cohen and Henry woke up to sand and surf every morning and played all day with GG, Papa, Aunt Laura, Uncle Mike, Grady and George. Our babysitter, Liz, who is like family to us also joined us for most of the week. We had a great time catching up with Mama, Aunt Marie and Uncle Brock too. The weather was beautiful - mostly sunny every day and it wasn't too hot.

Henry is getting closer to walking. He stood up on his own for a few seconds here and there this week. He did a lot of practicing at the beach!

Cohen absolutely could not get enough of the beach. He told me, "Mommy, I wuv the beach." He spent almost every waking minute running through the sand, jumping over waves, boogie boarding ("surfing"), building sand castles, playing soccer and pushing trucks.

We also had a great time hanging out on our outside deck. Cohen liked watching the seagulls ("Eagles") and pelicans fly over.

It was great spending time with our "First Born," Grady Gainer.

Cohen enjoyed fishing with Papa. GG even bought him his own fishing pole!

Hendog busted his eye the first night we were there. He had a nice shiner the whole week.

Of course, we had to play in the hose after getting all the sand off. Cohen said, "One more minute!!!" over and over.

Happy Hour, catching up and reading books - all fun things to do on our porch.

Papa bought the boys the most awesome canopy pool with it's own "Swim-Up Bar." This is where Henry had the most fun - splashing around naked.

There were trips to the creek (Cohen called it "The Bridge").


We saw lots of crabs and birds. Cohen was in Heaven.

GG also bought Cohen his first boogie board (picking-up on the fact that the grandparents like to spoil these boys?). Cohen preferred "surfing" over riding on his stomach.

"Look Mom, I doin' it!"

Grady had to be right up in the middle of everything. Some things never change.

Hendog liked splashing in the ocean, but he was a little timid around the sand. He wasn't sure what to think, other than, "Let me taste this stuff."

GG was so sweet and baked Henry a special birthday cake to celebrate before we all went home. Cohen even helped decorate it!

Henry loves sweet Liz.

Look at that cute hat GG bought him.

Best buddies. I love them both so much, and watching them bond every day is such a gift. Just seeing Henry's face light up when Cohen comes around is the best - He loves following his big brother everywhere. For the most part, Cohen is so good to Henry. He still says, "Hi Henwy. Hi Buddy (while patting his head). I wuv my brudder (while hugging him)." Then there are days when he is throwing train tracks at Henry's head because he messed up the newly constructed track. Boys.

Someone sure loved his cake. Check out those arm rolls.

Liz and the boys (or as Cohen says, "Wiz").

Cohen and Papa have such a special bond. He would wake up and immediately say, "Where's Papa?" Poor Papa endured so many wrestling matches this week. I'm sure he's exhausted.

Henry flying through the sky.

Look a little familiar? Here's Cohen in the same exact spot summer 2009 (7 months old).

Hanging out on the deck.

It was another great year at Quay Mac!

Can't wait 'til next year! Thanks for such an awesome vacation, GG and Papa!