Part II: Vacay Pictures!
Ginny and John Michael got into town late on Friday night, so Saturday morning we got right down to the business of vacationing. Chris and I made a breakfast casserole for everyone (which looked oddly inedible, but turned out to be pretty good!) and after we all stuffed our faces, we stuffed ourselves into bathing suits.
Ginny and Gracie Girl were as fashionable as ever. Although, Gracie seemed to have put on a few pounds. Girlfriend was wearing a size 6-9mo bathing suit because none of her 3mo suits fit anymore. My little Chumbawumba…
Our condo was only three blocks from the beach, so we all walked together.
The beach was just what we all needed. We did a little relaxing…
… a little water playin’…
… a little kite flyin’…
… a little soccer playin’…
… but mostly we just took it easy and enjoyed ourselves. We had dinner reservations in Savannah that night, so we were only on the beach until early afternoon. Afterwards, we all came home, showered, and sat around for a while until everyone was ready.
When we were finally all ready, we headed into Savannah for dinner at Paula Deen’s restaurant, The Lady and Sons. We got to Savannah a little early so that we would have time to wander around for a bit. It’s such a pretty Southern town. I always love visiting and it had been a long time since I’d been there.
We grabbed margaritas down by the water and shopped around for a bit.
And we all took turns pushing The Bus around. I love my double stroller for a lot of reasons, but one of the biggest is that it is really narrow, so it fits into small places pretty good. Walking around those tiny, cobblestone Savannah sidewalks made me appreciate it’s mobility even more. Those sidewalks are small, crowded, and tilted at an angle, but The Bus took it like a champ!
By the time we arrived at Paula Deen’s restaurant, we had all worked up an appetite and were ready to chow down! It had started raining a bit, so we ducked into the gift shop to spend the last few minutes while we waited for our table. I was so excited about going to The Lady and Sons, and it didn’t disappoint. Paula’s merchandise was everywhere and her signature, “Hey Ya’ll” was monogrammed on anything that would sit still long enough.
Finally, it was time to eat. The restaurant is three floors full of seating and we were on the third floor in the bar area that was sort of set apart of the main dining room. Which ended up being perfect because in the hour or so that we were at dinner, both my kids had two or three epic meltdowns each. Bean was a total turd during dinner. We had TWO time outs in the ladies bathroom during the meal – TWO! I think he was overtired. And full of sweet tea, thanks to Nana. Oh, and he’s two years old. So that pretty much explains it.
If it weren’t for his crazy awesome smile and fat little arms around my neck saying, “I’m sawy, Mommy,” I’d have given him away on the streets of Savannah.
And just when I’d get back to the table after one of Bean’s meltdowns, Gracie would start crying. It was a disaster!
I was exhausted! But the fried okra and fried green tomato appetizers made it all better. Fried okra is one of my favorite foods in the whole wide world and Paula did not disappoint. She had this chili spiced remoulade sauce with it and I would just like to state for the record that I would like to be buried in that sauce when my time comes. Just batter me, fry me, and dip me in that sauce, please. My taste buds were SUPER happy!
For dinner, I had the buffet so that I could try a little of everything. It was the best darn fried chicken I’d ever had. And the veggies and sides were just perfect.
I think my favorite part of the meal, though, were the hoe cakes. They are like cornbread pancakes and they were out of this world, ya’ll. They were so good, Chris got carried away and tried to feed one to Gracie. She turned them away though. I think she was holding out for the banana pudding.
The only thing better than the food that night was the company. We had a great time – mostly laughing at how exhausted Chris and I were from our screaming children. It was so fun to all be together.
After dinner we rubbed our big ol’ bellies…
… and walked off dinner a bit on our way back to our cars.
The next morning, we had to be out of the condo by 10:00am, so we all packed up and headed out for one more meal together at The Breakfast Club. I actually liked this place better than Paula Deen’s! It was the best shrimp and grits I’ve ever had – and I’ve had a LOT of shrimp and grits!
By the time breakfast was over, we were all ready to get on the road and head back to our own cities. I’ve been blessed with an abnormally happy, thoughtful, fun, supportive family. We all have our flaws and we duke it out from time to time over various things, but there really are no other people that I’d rather spend a weekend with. The goal when we’re together is to laugh enough then to carry us over until the next time we’re all together and I’m certain we did that this weekend!
27 Comments
Persnickety Hall
Your family is so cute!
Waiting for Bulgaria
I’m insanely jealous. I love Paula Deen. It looks like y’all had a fantastic time.
Jen
Sounds like you guys had a great time. I love family weekends like that.
I just have to say…love Ginny’s short hair…looks super cute on her
Rebecca @ The Reluctant Housewife
Love the pictures! I’ve heard lots about Tybee Island but I’ve never been there. Ginny looked great in the pictures, but I still wanted to cry. Has anybody ever said that John Michael looks like Ryan Reynolds? Because he totally does.
Holly
Your purple shirt is so cute! Me and my hubby went on a weekend trip and noticed all the parents on vacation with their kids, basically fighting the same things you were. It was kind of endearing but looked like hard work!
Alaina
That food is making me hungry! Looks delicious!
Mindee@ourfrontdoor
I totally want that okra. Now.
Jess @ Diary of a Misplaced Kiwi
I love it that you call your stroller The Bus, we call ours The Tank! Ours is a three wheeler that starts as a single and will have a jump seat added for number two, but for now its just huge! And I love it!
Calypso
“Has anybody ever said that John Michael looks like Ryan Reynolds? Because he totally does” — that’s exactly what I thought!!!
Amanda
My family and I will be in Tybee in less than 2 weeks and you have made me even more excited!! I think my favorite picture is of you and Ginny walking down the street to the beach. It’s just classic Tybee!
Sara M
I also love your purple shirt. How did you react to Ginny? How did she react around the kids? It looks like she was ok, but I was thinking of her and your family this weekend! (hope that doesn’t sound too stalker-ish!)
Michelle @ Mambo Gook
You were in my neck of the woods! I’m glad you enjoyed yourself! I’ve still never been to Paula’s, but it’s on my list.
I’m glad some others already commented on how John Michael looks like Ryan Reynolds because I was trying to decide if I should mention it or not…but they beat me to it.
Ashley @ A Recipe for Sanity
Sooooo jealous that you’re in Savannah! One of our favorite places in the country. You all are a gorgeous family!
And I’ll just chime in on that “JM looks like Ryan Reynolds” thing…totally agree! Lucky Ginny! 😉
Cindy In Owensboro, KY
What an awesome weekend! Even with the kids meltdowns– I’m so jealous:)
Tressa
Thanks for sharing pictures of your family vacation with us!! Looks like it was fun, relaxing and comforting for everybody. You and Ginny look fabulous!! I whispered prayers for you all weekend long. I still say your parents ROCK!!!
Erin @ Brownie Bites
When we went to Savannah we waited in line for an hour to put our name on the list at 2pm, and then they said “Ok, come back at 9pm!” Wha? So when we got back at 9.. we had another 45 minute wait! It was nuts! Of course, it was a holiday weekend.. delicious food though, of course!
name*Mallory
Better than Fish House grits a ya-ya?? I don’t believe it!
bETTY
Yum I do love me some Paula Deens. That picutre of Ginny pushing the Bus? JM & her look like models in a stroller catalog. So glad y’all had such a wonderful time, all your pictures make me want to head down to Savannah tomorrow!
Brittany
I was going to comment just to say that John Michael looks like Ryan Reynolds, but it appears I wasn’t alone in thinking that! Beautiful family 🙂
Ella
You have the best family! So glad you all had a great weekend. I feel your pain about Bean and Gracie having meltdowns at the restraunt. It does get easier as they get older!
Jen @ caved in
I’m kind of afraid of how much money I would spend in Paula deen’s gift shop. Me in kitchen stores is dangerous to my bank account. I’ve always wanted to go to savannah,this just reinforces it. You have such a beautiful family.
Jenna
Shrimp & grits? Fried okra with SAUCE? Maybe I need to move to the true south … Arkansas doesn’t have that yumminess! I love your description of your family as it is similar to my own. So glad you had a great weekend!
laurenbtrain
yay for tybee and savannah! we are only a few hours away and go to both spots often! your family is so fun and i am glad yall had a good vacation!
Linda
Your swimsuit is super cute!
Kat @ Living Like the Kings
Looks like a wonderful time! Kids and restaurants is always tricky. We took Peanut out to breakfast the other day and usually she is content sitting around and people watching. But this time she decided that she would like to get to know her newly-found vocal cords and screeached (there isn’t a better word for it) happily the ENTIRE time. We thought it was cute (we think everything is cute) but I don’t think the couple next to us appreciated it.
Shari
Fried okra AND fried green tomatoes?! Swoonalicious!
Maggie
I’m so late to this game, but I’m thrilled that you enjoyed Tybee. My grandmother lives on the island, so I’m there visiting just as often as possible. I recommend vacationing there to everyone I meet because it still seems so small and friendly, despite the growing popularity. And, the Breakfast Club? It’s our stop on the way out of town for every visit. Sounds like you did Tybee up right!