vance matthews: Carolina Christmas

Instead of a white Christmas this year, we had a sandy one! We spent the holidays down in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Chad's parents relocated to this coastal town last October and have loved every minute of it. We had the most wonderful time visiting them! Chad's sister was also visiting with her family, so we had the luxury of a big family Christmas this year. Needless to say, we spent a lot of time on the beach. Chad's parent's home is about one mile from the ocean, which is where the following photos are taken. Vance loved the sand and walked around the beach collecting shells with the biggest smile on his face! He definitely could play the part of a true Southern boy...with that rugged blond hair!

Vance did not want to go home...I was chasing him to scoop him up to go but he just kept running!

Vance always cuddles with his little arms tucked in. Whenever we pick him up, instead of holding on, he just 'cuddles in'.

Here is a family photo taken of all of us. Chad's sister Dana and Marcello have one little boy, Austin who is one month younger than Vance and they are expecting another baby boy in April.

Chad was getting the camera ready to take the family photo on a tripod and every time he went to check it, Vance was following close behind. Vance would run to look at the picture on the camera and every time he saw it, he would say "Oooo!" It was the cutest thing!

Vance loves to give hugs... especially to our parent's dog, Bozzy!

Here is Vance running around like he loves to do! He loved the soft green grass... that is something he has not seen in a while!

Vance loves to explore. He would walk up and down the front walk-way and just look at Mom's beautiful landscaping.

Here is Vance pointing to Mom and Dad's palm tree! He loved that tree.

Drew and Alison came to visit us and what a treat that was! They are incredible friends and we have missed them dearly since they moved back home to South Carolina.

Vance loves it when his "Uncle" Drew plays with him!

Crazy boys!

We all went crabbing down at the tidal creek one morning. It was great! Drew caught the most out of all of us!

Vance and "Aunt" Alison enjoying the view...

The way you see Vance in the above photo is how he was for an entire hour down at the tidal creek. Now, everyone that knows Vance knows he is a boy on the run these days! He may be able to sit still for about a minute! Well, to all of our surprise, he let us hold him in this position for about an hour as we all crabbed. We couldn't let him down because we were right on a road, so we had to hold him. He was so amazed by the water and saw grass and crabbs that he just enjoyed us all holding him without one little wiggle. It was great!

Drew caught one!

The boys being silly!

While the boys continued to crab, us ladies took little Vance down the road to the beach. It was great! We rolled up Vance's pants and he just loved the feeling of sand and water on his little baby feet! Above is Alison walking in the water with Vance.

"Hi Mommy! I love this!"

Drew playing with Vance before they went back home.

One final goodbye.

Everywhere you look there is a golf course! Chad was in heaven!

We took a day trip to Charleston and had the best time! Dad planned out a visit to downtown Charleston, Sullivans Island, Isle of Palms, Johns Island, James Island, Kiawah Island, and Bowen Island...what a day it was! Vance loved looking out the window and pointed at everything!

Here is Daddy and Vance in downtown Charleston on Market Street. Vance loved the horses!

Sullivans Island

Beachwalk down to the ocean on Sullivans Island.

Grandma reading to her little Vance.

"I love grandpa!"

Here is Vance trying to get into the tub!

Here he is adjusting the water...what a little squirt!

Playing with legos!

One evening, we went to a restaurant on the tidal creek. It was called, "Nances" but we stood in front of the sign so it looked like we went to "Vances"!

Behind the restaurant.

Inside the restaurant... what a view!

Playing around with grandma!

Vance carried Keo's leash around all week long. It was so cute to just watch him for over an hour carrying that from room to room!

On Christmas morning, both toddlers got childrens laptops. This gift from his grandparents was perfect for him! Vance is always pressing on our laptop keys. Chad and I are always talking about how our keys are not working and we know why... little Vance again!