Vacation...you seem so far away.....

I  have found that I am becoming obsessively excited for vacation.  I find myself texting and emailing everyone that usually goes on vacation the same time we do checking to see if they are even remotely excited as I am!  I am like a little child.  My family has gone to Hilton Head, SC for 33 years (this year is our 33rd).  I believe I have missed two, possibly three years....but no more than that (the first year when I was a baby, the year my brother was born, and the year we travelled through Europe). 

Last year was the first year we deviated from our normal time share slot.  My brother was getting married in Hilton Head in the beginning of June.  So, we did some maneuvering and went that week rather than our normal week in August.  My whole childhood, we went the first two weeks in August.  As we got a little older and everyones' lives got a little more hectic, we cut back to just one week (the second week).  When my parents divorced, my mom got two timeshares for the second week (we actually have two condos the same week) and my dad got the first week.  When we first got married, we would rent the second condo from my parents (or mom).  Since the divorce, we started actually staying with my mom.  She pays the maintenance fees for the condo at the beginning of the year and we pay for the gas to and from and buy most of the groceries.  I would say the first year of this arrangement was a little bumpy, but since, it has worked out for all of us quite well.  Anymore, we are so used to all being together, it is just normal.  This year we are going to be going at our normal time....in August. 

In the years past, my dad's brother and sister's family have come down the same week as well.  This was always amazingly fun.  To me, the more, the merrier.  Everyone has their own condos and never have we felt obliged to entertain the others.  We always had the best time with the whole group of us on the beach all morning!  When I think of Hilton Head, I have the fondest memories.  I am hoping to give L the same fond memories of our family vacations!

To me, this vacation is still super exciting and fun.  There are always new things to do and explore, at the same time, if you want to just chill and relax, you can because you know exactly what to expect.  Throughout the years, we have made a lot of friends that have also vacationed there for many, many years.  It is amazing how many friends that I used to bum around with on the beach or at the pool with, take their growing families there now.  To me, that is amazing!  I imagine this sounds somewhat boring to some people, but to me, it's like a home away from home.  The definition of vacation to me is a beach, a chair, and family and friends.  Heaven!

This year is going to be a little different.  The last few years, my dad's family haven't come due to schedule differences.  We've missed them a lot and beg every year for them to change their minds!  This year, however, we are expanding our family in a different manner.  My brother is now married and has an 8 month old daughter.  They are staying in my mom's other condo.  My husband's parents, sister, brother in law and their 16 month old son are coming.  My brother's mother and father in law, as well as two sisters in laws are also coming.  We are going to have a full house (thankfully everyone has their own condos!)  It's all very exciting!  For quite a few years, there hasn't been any small children (just L for the last three years)....this year we now have THREE little kids!  It is so amazing that we are starting a new cycle of families and traditions!  I just love it! 

After all this vacation talk, I am even MORE excited to go.  Dangit!   

 The view from our condo!

 Beachin' it!

Awww....can't wait to get back to my spot!