Arrival and First Impressions Our adventure began on a sunny Saturday morning when we left Atlanta, eagerly setting off on our road trip to Beaufort. A quick pit stop for lunch at a Dairy Queen near Augusta, Georgia, provided us with sustenance before we reached our destination. Although the food was nothing to write home about, the exceptional service left us pleasantly surprised and in high spirits.

Upon arrival at our cozy Airbnb, we were greeted with an absolute gem of a rental. The vibrant decor and comfortable bedrooms made us feel right at home. Plus, the best part? We could bring along our furry family member, Kenzie, and let her frolic in the lovely yard. And the cherry on top? The affordable price made it an absolute steal!

A Memorable Father’s Day Our trip coincided with Father’s Day, and amazing Mama, and our adorable son, Rowan, made sure to shower me with love and surprises. The day began with heartfelt gifts, a beautifully crafted handmade card, and a morning feast of sweet treats. I was granted the luxury of sleeping in and indulging in some much-needed video game time, while Mama and Rowan embarked on their own adventure, exploring a nearby park.

In the afternoon, we headed to a local burger joint called Beedo’s, which turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The food was delicious, but what truly stood out was the exceptional service. When the staff noticed Rowan feeling a bit down, they went above and beyond to bring him a free ice cream sundae with sprinkles. Talk about spreading the joy! We wrapped up the day with a visit to the beach, immersing ourselves in the golden hues of the evening sun and relishing the calming ocean waves.

Unexpected Twists and Delicious Discoveries As luck would have it, Monday brought unexpected rain, disrupting our plans. However, Mama’s intuition proved invaluable as she encouraged me to seek medical attention for the persistent pain in my heel. To our astonishment, the cause of the discomfort turned out to be a quarter-inch shard of a plate lodged in my foot. Ouch indeed!

Despite the hiccup, we didn’t let it dampen our spirits. We headed to a local pizza joint that reminded me of the pizzas from my hometown—a taste of nostalgia. To make up for the rainy day, we decided to embrace the beach once again, soaking in the enchanting sunset and creating timeless memories.

A Day Trip to Charleston With inclement weather forecasted once more, we decided to seize the opportunity and take a day trip to nearby Charleston, South Carolina. Our first stop was Rodney Scott’s, a barbecue joint known for its mouthwatering flavors and the nation’s most notable “whole hog” bbq. From the delectable mac and cheese that won my heart to the tantalizing baked beans adored by Mama and the irresistible cornbread that made Rowan’s day, every bite was a taste of Southern heaven.

Energized and ready for more exploration, we ventured to the children’s museum, where Rowan’s face lit up with excitement. Watching him learn, play, and giggle was an absolute delight. A leisurely stroll along the pier allowed Mama to appreciate the stunning local architecture while Rowan and I bonded over a lively session at a nearby playground. Before bidding adieu to Charleston, we indulged our sweet tooth at the Southern Candy Kitchen, savoring an assortment of treats that would bring smiles to our faces later.

Days of Sun, Sand, and Culinary Delights Wednesday and Thursday were dedicated to embracing the beach life in Beaufort. Setting up our canopy on Wednesday, Mama and I found ourselves in a shaded oasis, where we could unwind and relax while Rowan joyfully splashed in the waves and attempted sandcastles. On Thursday, although the wind prevented us from using the canopy, we made the most of the cloudy skies and played in the “little ocean” pool, allowing the gentle waves to tickle our toes as we searched for seashells in the sand.

To satiate our hunger after a day of beachside fun, we discovered a local favorite called Dockside. The crispy fish and chips were Daddy’s go-to, while Mama indulged in the succulent Alaskan king crab that left her craving for more. The flavors were so irresistible that we couldn’t resist returning for seconds—talk about a culinary delight that kept us coming back for more!

Fond Farewell and Homeward Bound As the final days of our incredible journey approached, we reluctantly prepared for our departure on Friday. Looking back on the memories we had created, we couldn’t help but feel immense gratitude. Beaufort had given us a week filled with laughter, adventure, and the joy of spending quality time as a family. With hearts full of cherished moments, we bid a fond farewell to this enchanting city, knowing that the memories we made would stay with us forever.

Our trip to Beaufort, South Carolina, was truly a whirlwind of excitement and relaxation. From the warm welcome of our Airbnb to the unexpected twists, culinary discoveries, and sunny beach days, every experience was a treasure to behold. It was a week filled with love, laughter, and the beauty of exploring some of our favorite places with the ones we hold dear. Our family getaway will forever be etched in our hearts as a testament to the magic of adventure and the joy of togetherness.

The STEM areas were first on the list and the family had a great time experimenting with the interactive exhibits. We played with magnets, built structures with blocks, and learned about the different types of energy. Daddy was, of course, fascinated by the music exhibits and spent a lot of time exploring them. Meanwhile, Mama and Rowan found the ocean exhibit. They decided to don manta ray costumes and had a blast pretending to swim through the museum. Rowan particularly enjoyed flapping his fins!

After the STEM areas, we headed to the farm to kitchen exhibit where they learned about the farm-to-table process. Rowan drove a fork lift, a delivery truck, and a tractor! Then he collected eggs from a chicken coop, and even got to harvest some plants. Rowan rushed them to the grocery store and finally joined Daddy in the kitchen to do some cooking. Mama, the family gardener, was so excited to see Rowan taking an interest in where his food comes from.

The water area was the family’s favorite part of the museum. Rowan had a blast playing with the water table and even did some play fishing. He caught a plastic fish and was overjoyed with his success. Daddy and Mama enjoyed watching him play and were amazed at how much he was learning through play.

After a morning of exploring the museum, the family went for a walk in Centennial Park. They took in the beautiful scenery and enjoyed the sunshine. They even stumbled upon some street performers and stopped to watch their show.

Lunchtime had arrived, and the family headed to Fat Matt’s Rib Shack for some delicious barbecue. Daddy and Mama ordered a rack of ribs, a pint of Mac and Cheese, and some excellent sweet tea. Rowan enjoyed a quarter chicken and some mac, too! And of course, we had a treat of cookies and sweet potato pie. It was definitely the perfect way to end our fun-filled day at the Atlanta Children’s Museum.

The Christmas vacation began as Amy, John, Rowan, and Gramma embarked on a road trip from Atlanta, Georgia, to Kentucky, filled with anticipation. Arriving at their chosen Airbnb, they were astounded to discover that it was just a stone’s throw away from where Cousin Alex, Aunt Cheryl, and Uncle Jay had parked their RV, and where Cousin Laura and her beau Blair had settled in their fifth wheel. Talk about a delightful surprise! Little did they know that this unexpected proximity would add to the joy and laughter that lay ahead.

Cheryl and Jay wasted no time in showcasing their culinary skills, treating the seven who had already arrived to a mouthwatering steak dinner, accompanied by a fun foil-wrapped veggie and shrimp side dish. The aroma filled the air, and their taste buds danced with delight. A bit later in the evening, Laura and Blair managed to dodge the wintry weather and joined the gathering later that night, bringing even more warmth and cheer to the cozy abode.

Snow Fun and Family Bonding: While some family members arrived safely, Aunt Maureen, Uncle James, and their kids from Houston, Texas, faced an unexpected snowstorm that kept them stranded on their journey. Undeterred, they made the most of the snowy wonderland that greeted them the following morning. Rowan, the youngest member of the clan, embraced the opportunity to play in the snow for only the second time in his life. He crafted snowballs, made snow angels, and even posed for Mama Amy’s impromptu photo sessions. Laughter filled the air as memories were made, and the joy of being together overshadowed any inconvenience caused by the weather.

With the entire family finally gathered, the Christmas spirit soared. However, due to the challenging weather conditions, Maureen, James, and their children couldn’t reach their reserved Airbnb and ended up joining the Fritz-Wade-Skeen-Farrell-Dinsmore-Skeen household. A cozy 3-bedroom Airbnb suddenly accommodated ten people, adding a whole new level of excitement and occasional chaos. Despite the space constraints, the shared laughter, and the bond between cousins, made the experience truly special.

Christmas Eve was filled with beloved family traditions. Everyone savored a delicious ham sandwich dinner, relished homemade cookies and treats, and engaged in lively games. Laura kicked off the festivities with a unique game she had created, and the evening culminated in the time-honored tradition of charades. Laughs echoed through the house as family members eagerly participated, creating joyful memories that would last a lifetime.

As tradition dictated, the little one, Rowan, went to bed with dreams of Santa Claus, while the adults transformed the living room into a magical wonderland, filling stockings and arranging presents for Christmas morning. The anticipation hung thick in the air, and when morning arrived, the sparkle in Rowan’s eyes was worth every effort. Together, the family shared gifts, sang carols, and delighted in Jay’s mouthwatering Christmas breakfast. The joy of being together, surrounded by love and laughter, made the day truly magical.

Not content with staying indoors, Aunt Cheryl organized a thrilling adventure for the family on the day after Christmas. We embarked on a fascinating tour of the Red River Gorge underground on a boat. Braving the freezing temperatures, we boarded the boat, only to discover that the further we ventured into the depths, the more temperate it became. With an enthusiastic and humorous tour guide, the family soaked up fascinating facts and relished in the moments of shared excitement.

As Tuesday arrived, it was time for the Fritz-Wade-Skeen-Farrell-Dinsmore-Skeen Family to bid farewell to their snowy wonderland and head back to their respective homes. Though the journey had its challenges, the obstacles only made the gathering more meaningful and memorable. Reflecting on the time spent together, they realized that nothing could surpass the joy of being surrounded by loved ones during the holiday season. Grateful for the safe arrival and departure of all family members, they cherished the memories created and looked forward to the next chapter of their adventure.

Christmas in 2022 turned out to be a truly remarkable and unforgettable experience for the Fritz-Wade-Skeen-Farrell-Dinsmore-Skeen Family. Despite the unexpected winter storm and the various obstacles they encountered, their love and laughter prevailed, making every moment special. From fun games to snowball fights, from delicious feasts to exhilarating adventures, their Christmas celebration was a perfect blend of warmth, humor, and cherished family traditions. They discovered that the true magic of the season lies in being together, even amidst the most challenging circumstances.

It all started with a text. We had talked about getting together again this weekend exactly one week ago, at Rowan’s third birthday. But we didn’t iron out the details. Mama, being Mama, realized that asking Bobby Jo and Nancy to drive to Burt’s was going to be an hour and half slog for them and found Southern Belle Farms to be a closer option and with a much more diverse set of activities. We had no idea what we had signed up for until we pulled in. Talk about a Fall festival! There was so much to do – and no one more excited about it than the young Rowan.

We are so used to Burt’s (which we still love!) – a short adventure checking out the pumpkins and maybe a hay ride. Southern Belle Farms take it to the next level. There was a huge slide called the Belle’s Barnstormer, a super fun tractor ride (that Rowan was just too excited about). We played some games at the game hall and had a lot of fun making huge bubbles! The undeniable star of the day was the “Corn Pit” – a huge, and deep, pit of corn kernels the kids got to play in. Rowan was so upset to move on – but we finished up the day with a huge bouncy trampoline and a food cart meal!

Having never been to the Southern Belle Farm, nor really understanding the scope of it, we weren’t quite as prepared as we wished we would have been for the day. We had no idea how extensive and fun this amazing farm would be! Next year we’re going to head in a bit earlier so we have more time and energy to get to the things we missed like the Corn Maze and the fun train! Seeing the wear and tear on this little guy was enough for us to make the call to end it for the day. A very successful and fun trip to the farm!

It’s always so wonderful to be around the people we love the most. We are grateful for Aunt Nancy, Cousin Bobby Jo and sweet little guy Ander! It’s so fun to see Ander and Rowan together and we can’t wait for the next adventure they take together.

Regardless – a birthday is just that, a birthday! And every birthday should be a celebration. We are so fortunate to have been able to spend a great amount of time during Rowan’s birthweek doing just that!

We knew we were going to have some missing family for Rowan’s scheduled birthday celebration – but we were so surprised and happy to see Uncle Justin, Aunt Kayla, Jacob, Lilly, and Reese on Sunday for some good quality time together (and of course, prezzies!). And then right after Uncle Cody and Uncle Alec came to visit, too! We spent the night with our sweet new Chase truck and blowing bubbles from our lawnmower bubble machine. Sweet!

And then Rowan, Mama, and John got to spend Rowan’s birthday day together exploring the amazing animals and activities at the Atlanta Zoo! We went last year, as well – and it’s interesting to compare year over year. I don’t think Rowan was particularly interested in the animals either year, but he was super excited about the train this year! And he also absolutely loved running through the park and seeing all the people. He’s such a big ole extravert! Mama figured out right at the end that giving Rowan a snack to hold while he walks around keeps him at a regular human’s pace. Whew!

Next we hit up an old haunt for Mama and Daddy in Midtown Atlanta – Fellini’s Pizza. It’s so fun to get back to some places close to where we used to live in Atlanta. And, ironically, while we were there we remembered that we went to the same place for lunch after the Zoo last year! Hah!

Birthday day finished up with an absolutely huge surprise! We knew that we were going to hang out with Grandma because she couldn’t make it to the birthday bash on Saturday. But little did we know that Cousin Laura drove all the way from Greensboro, NC to have birthday dinner and festivities with us! WOW! It was such a great surprise and so much fun to see Laura and have her be a part of our little family party. Rowan and Kenzie were probably the most excited (New people, oh em geeee!).

Ahh, Birthday Day finally done. What a huge success! It was so much fun to be able to have some great adventures together and then to top it off with such an awesome surprise and great company with Laura and Grandma, we couldn’t have planned a better birthday day!

But little did the Young Lord know that in just a couple more days time we would be getting together for the “official” birthday celebration! We were so glad to see so many family members and friends come out to celebrate our little guy. It was a joy to see all the little folks having so much fun together and just to have a great spirit of energy and love poured out for Rowan’s sake. He’s such a light in our lives and we love to see him light up with surprise and excitement – and there seems to be nothing that does that better than being around lots of people!

We had so much fun together – and even more importantly, Rowan had so much fun with everyone! We had gone from worrying that not enough people would be able to make it to having such a great time together. Mama lent her skills and aesthetics with some beautiful decorations, despite the Hurricane Ian-adjacent winds (it was super gusty on Saturday!). But mostly, it was great to get together with such amazing family and friends in celebration of little Rowan’s third year of thriving! We can’t wait to see what wonder, amazement, and chaos he brings to this next year! We love you, Rowan!

Fast forward a couple of weeks and the next “part” of Olivia’s and Rowan’s friendship would begin when I first saw Bill and Olivia together at the park. I, instantly, knew who he was – the dad recovering from back surgery! And so an awesome friendship really began as from then we were bound to wind up at the playground together at least a couple times per week!

We were so fortunate to have gotten an invite from Bill and Deana to join them for Olivia’s second birthday at Catch Air! A new experience for Rowan, both in that it was his first time to Catch Air but also because it was the first time he was invited for a friend’s birthday. The day itself came quickly and we were so excited to go – especially the wild one, Rowan! As we were driving I could hear him saying “faster, faster!” and “I am so excite!”

After arriving we got to spend over an hour doing some playtime and exploration. Catch Air was such an exciting new experience – we had never been inside for a “playground” and it had so many amenities (when working… lol!) that were such great new experiences. Rowan especially loved the ball gun – due in no small part to Michael’s grand acting when being hit! Rowan also loved the big slides and more than anything when others were helping him – thanks Bill and Bill’s Niece, Destiny!

And of course after play was some yummy pizza, fruit cups, and blue cupcakes! I am pretty sure I heard Bill say something like “uh, maybe blue wasn’t the best color choice” as he looked around and saw blue-faced children in every direction! Too late, now! We also had a great birthday song and candle blow-out, and of course prezzies! Rowan tried to “help” a bit too much, but ultimately was corralled so the birthday Lady could have her awesome present time.

We were so happy to have been invited to Olivia’s birthday! Olivia is such an awesome young lady – she’s full of spirit, clearly adored, and has the cutest run you will ever see. She’s a great friend to Rowan and it always fills our hearts to hear that she is practicing saying “Rowan” at home. It was great seeing such an outpouring of love for her and her little family. And speaking of – Bill and Deana’s family and friends were so kind to Rowan and myself. They were so warm and inviting, I felt like we were part of the family! And all of that despite Rowan’s hot-mess-ness!

I mean, the initial plan was going out on Deb and Jared’s newly purchased boat… but as it happens, Jared already gets the opportunity to do some serious boat repair – apparently he’s going to rebuild the carburetor. Wow! But as plans may sometimes go sideways – good friends, fine company, and a lakeside dock will almost always certainly provide a great time. And it definitely did!

At first, Amy and I tried to set up along the shoreline with the intent of letting sweet Rowan do the “lake experience” as he always has – by walking directly into the water from shore and doing various exciting things like taking handfuls of mud and dirt to wash off in the water and, of course, the favorite “Throwing rocks” fun.

We quickly realized, however, that the area near the edge of the lake was just too muddy to really enjoy like some of the other beaches around Lanier. We needed to change our method and introduce something new to Rowan – being comfortable swimming in the deep!

Truly – he handled it better than we had expected! His little life jacket certainly did the work we had hoped for but he almost exclusively wanted poor Meagan to hold him! They had only met a few times prior to this – talk about building some quick trust! In fact, he was so adamant about Meagan being his only protector that he was often throwing up his hand and saying “no” to both Amy and I. Bah!

It was totally okay though – Meagan was a fantastic sport and was clearly understanding of the plight of a soon-to-be three year old. Her sweet daughter Lyla had just turned three a few weeks ago! It did get a bit dicey at the end of the time – another lesson learned for Mom and Dad. Don’t be in the water too late when it’s mid-September!

Ultimately the cold was a bit more than we expected – it wasn’t that terrible in the water. But as we tried to get out, Rowan desperately wanted to get back in and then we had to make the long trek up to the house to get him dry and warm again. We definitely had a parenting lesson on making sure the kiddo stays warm after getting out of the water! But youngsters are resilient and things ended up just fine – even better when we were able to move on to some fun games and great food and company. Our many thanks to our great hosts, Ms. Freeda and Deb – seen below in Ms. Freeda’s favorite spot. We are so grateful to have spent time at their home and hope we get to visit again soon!

“Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.”

So, here it is! Our first post on our new family blog. Comin with some amazing photos of the young lord and the sea on our latest excursion to the Atlantic ocean!

We definitely could have used a couple extra days – especially since John came down with COVID for the first time ever the day after we returned home! We should’ve stayed a few more days!!!!!!

But ultimately we had a great trip and had a little bit of a break before Amy started her new role as Director for ABM. You go, Boss Mama!!

So, we wanted to do something new – and we did! Our first trip ever to Tellus Science Museum! And we had a great time – how had we missed this gem hidden up there in Cartersville, Georgia! Over 20 years in Georgia and never have we gone that way – Cartersville is a bit out of the way but this museum was worth the drive.

The first thing you see when getting to the museum are the mighty large trucks. What a great way to open this experience for us – Rowan’s eyes lit up with excitement as he and Mom got out of the car to go see the trucks up close! But that didn’t last too long – apparently the sheer scope of seeing them in person was a bit intimidating for the young lord! He decided that they were very cool, but kept his distance just a bit.

Inside the museum were four sections – Minerals, Dinosaurs, Transportation Through Time, and a Children’s interactive section. Amy was totally into the mineral section! She took off exploring all of the various minerals – from glorious samples of amethyst geodes, calcites, and many more minerals to a huge display showing all of the periodic table elements (John was disappointed for the lack of actual Uranium!). John and Rowan also really enjoyed the dark room that showed how different minerals reacted under different light situations. Cool!

After that we made pretty quick work of the Dinosaur and Transportation exhibits. There were plenty of sweet bones and sharp teeth to see with the Dinos – Rowan was impressed! And – almost like Tellus is reading Rowan’s thoughts (or that most young people just love things like rocks, dinos, and vehicles.. lol) – Rowan absolutely loved seeing all the different cars, bicycles, trains, and even space shuttles in the transportation section.

The best part, honestly, was the Children’s interactive section. A two year old can only “look and don’t touch” so much – we needed to get our hands on things! And we did just that. Exploring with magnetics and sounds, using gravity and even generating some of our own electricity! We had a ton of fun exploring the interactive section – and we didn’t want to leave, but our showtime for the planetarium came up and it was time to go to space!

We had such a fun adventure on John’s Birthday! It was great to see and experience new things and there’s simply something magical about watching a youngster learn and experience things for the first time.  

Recently, we had made several trips to Beaufort, SC. And, to be fair, we are still quite fond of it! It’s got the rustic charm of a Savannah or Charleston without nearly the amount of people. And it’s got great beaches at Hunter beach. We have also been so many other places along the gulf and south east Atlantic coastline. Amy was born and raised going to Savannah and Tybee Island. We spent many summers visiting Pensacola and Orange Beach portions of the panhandle – and even one year had made our way to Myrtle Beach. Though we found that a bit too commercial. We wanted to check out someplace new!

So we made our way to St. Augustine, Florida! Woohoo! A new beach – the Atlantic side of Florida. And honestly not that much further away than many of the other beaches we regularly visit. Our search for a place to stay was on! Oh, and yeah – can we not keep doing last minute bookings?! Now, lets see the temporary digs…

Check it out! Talk about an AirBNB find?! Wait – why are there canons on our house? Oh no. My bad. This was actually the historic Castillo de San Marcos on the Matanzas river. Look – Amy and Rowan enjoyed exploring and learning about the history of this defensive juggernaut together. In fact, Rowan was able to help finish (no, seriously – he helped!) a little quiz that allowed him to get a Jr. Park Ranger badge and certificate! Nice job, Rowan! He answered questions about the color of the soldier’s uniforms and even helped identify what the fort looked like from above (a turtle!). We had fun visiting this mighty fort – but goodness gracious it was hot that day!

But let’s be real. A vacation to the beach is about the beach, right? So let’s get to some fun beach pictures!

We had a lot of fun on this short getaway. It was good to see somewhere new and experience new things as a family! We are always so thrilled to see Rowan’s excitement as he explores new things. There’s nothing more motivating than his exuberance for life! Lets finish this little journey into our St. Augustine trip with a video reel of some of our captured videos during our time in Florida. Don’t worry, Rowan – it’s totally okay to be materialistic at the age of 2!