Birthday Minute Pictures

This is our first time that we have been away from home on Jack and Mark's birthday.  That didn't mean that we weren't prepared for their birthday though.  We still had our traditional birthday minute pictures:

Jack

Mark

Mark and Jack

Birthday Beach trip

As previously mentioned, the boys wanted to go to the beach for a couple of days for their birthday.  We went to North Myrtle Beach this time (instead of normally going to Myrtle Beach) to try something different.  We went down with Granna and Grandpa.  We had never been at the beach on their birthday.  One thing that happened to us was summer thunderstorms.  We had a thunderstorm in the mid to late afternoon every day that we were down there.

The boys had several things that they wanted to do.  They wanted to play at a real golf course, play on the beach, build sandcastles, get on a lazy river, putt-putt, and of course eat some Krispy Kreme doughnuts.  Also, Jack and Mark were able to go for the first time and play racquetball.  They really enjoyed it.

We had a great time and were so glad that the boys could get their wish and spend their birthday weekend at the beach.

Here are some pictures from the trip:

Afternoon thunderstorm getting ready to happen on the beach.

Mommy trying to make par from a tough position.

Now that is a caddy doing yeoman's work.

Is Racquetball and Olympic Sport yet?

Someone has been working out.  - Grandpa

Best friends, twins, and brothers.

The happy family!

Is that a doughnut or are you ready for the lazy river? - Jack

Look at me! - Mark

Ready to be on the beach! - Toothless Jack

Bring the beach on! - Toothless Mark

Oh yeah! The ocean is not ready for us!

We all are getting wet and loving it!

Look how high we can jump!

Someone is commemorating the boys' 7th birthday.  Thanks Grandpa! 

Here is how you build a sand castle.  - Daddy and Grandpa

We found this little hole.  Wonder if it is goes down to China? 

Nothing like a little Par 3 on the final night at the beach.

1st real Golf Round

Jack and Mark wanted to go to the beach this year for their birthday.  So we went down to Myrtle Beach for a couple of days around their birthday.  While we were there, the boys wanted to go to a "real" golf course and play a round.  So we looked around and settled on Azalea Sands Golf Club.  The main reason was that kids play free with a paying adult.  So Grandpa had to come and play golf, not that he minded.  So Jack, Mark, Grandpa, and Daddy all went out to the golf course.  We were going to play 9 holes.  At the beginning of the round, I asked the boys if they wanted to play from the red tees or go ahead and play from 150 yards and in.  Mark wanted to play from the red tees and Jack from 150 yards.

The boys had a great time.  After a couple of holes, Mark decided that it was much better to start from 150 yards in.  Daddy even had a birdie on a hole.  All in all, it was a great experience for everyone.  Definitely the highlight of the week.

Here is a video of the first swing of Mark on a real golf course:

Here is a video of the first swing of Jack on a golf course:


Here are some other pictures from the afternoon:

Good setup by Jack

How is my takeaway?  - Mark

Great posture near the top of the swing.  - Mark

Swim lessons

This summer, starting after the July 4th holiday, the boys started taking swimming lessons at the University Club.  Their swim instructor is Claire, who was an all-conference swimmer in the MAC a few years ago.  The boys really like their teacher.  She does a great job with teaching them.  We are lucky to have Claire.

Here are a couple of videos that show the boys swimming:

Jack -


Mark -

Claire talking to Mark about his swimming prowess.