Charleston, SC

This past week our little family of four loaded up the good old Subaru and drove to Isle of Palms, just outside of Charleston, SC. It was at least 6 years since I visited this part of the country and Mark had never been so we thought it would be the perfect little getaway.

We used the last of our Marriott points from the time when Mark was living in the Atlanta Marriott during the weekdays while Carmella and I were back in Chicago trying to sell our home. (I guess a few good things did come out of that time. We have had some nice low-cost vacations this summer because of it.) We stayed in a Residence Inn really central to the beach and the city. Because of Mark's status with his points, we were upgraded to a two bedroom suite with a full kitchen. So very nice. It felt so luxurious to have that much space, and such a nice surprise.

It was extremely hot and humid while we were there. However, we still managed to fill our days with sightseeing and trips to the beach.

Carmella would tell you that her favorite activities were the carriage ride through Charleston, playing in the fountain at Waterfront Park and going to the beach with Daddy.

Actually, the first day we got there, we went directly to the beach. We had just finished eating at Edgar Allen Poe's little tribute restaurant "Poe's" and decided to talk a stroll on the beach. She got so excited that she ran into the water, completely clothed and plopped right down. She liked the sensation so much she kept standing up and sitting down in the water "plopping" until she was drenched. We had to strip her down, wrap her in a towel and somehow finagle her 5-point harness car seat belt around her to drive back to the hotel. She didn't care a bit, she had so much fun.

One of the highlights of our trip was visiting the Magnolia Plantation. It was super hot the day we went out there, but it was worth having to wring out our clothes afterwards.

Slave cabins.

Some of the beautiful gardens and trees gracing the property.

We also took some time one afternoon to walk around Fort Moultrie. Carmella was fascinated by the cannons.

Our family at Waterfront Park.

Little Birds

Carmella singing a tune in the car while we were in Boston this past month.

And here is Mr. Leo doing his thing...

Summer activities...a photo journal

This summer has been full of trips and major events in our lives. It all started in May/early June with a trip to my parent's place in PA.

Then, still in June we hopped on another plane to Chicago for Mark's graduation from Kellogg. Can we get a big "YAH HOOO!!"

While we were in the Chicago area, we went back to our church there and had Leo dedicated to the Lord in front of family and friends.

We were home for the 4th of July and met up with some friends to view a parade that day.

Just after the 4th we headed up to Boston to show off our little guy to his Auntie Laura, Great Grandma D.D. and Great Aunt Dona (and some dear friends too).

Once we finally got home we took some time to explore our own state and went to a nearby lake to have a picnic lunch and walk around. I definitely can say that it has been a wonderful summer so far, but I am glad to be home.