Just What the Doctor Ordered

At the beginning of April, we took our first vacation as a family of four to Greenville, SC.  After a grueling three months of work for Paul and myself adjusting to being a mom of two, it was just what the doctor ordered!  When Margaret was just three weeks old, Paul went back to work working long hours, weekends and at one point he worked sixty plus consecutive days.  Needless to say, we didn't have much family time those first few months of Margaret's life and we were so grateful to be able to get away and rejuvenate together as a family.

You might wonder why we chose to go to Greenville for our first family vacation.  There are many reasons.  I went to Furman University, which is in Greenville, and so did my sister.  We spent eight years in Greenville and it is therefore very familiar and comfortable for us.  It is also so close to Atlanta and downtown Greenville is wonderful!  There are so many family things to do and we enjoyed every bit of our trip!  Mary Frances loved walking around and going to Furman.  It was great!  We might even have a future Paladin on our hands :)

Ready to be a Furman Girl!

I laugh because we were all in one hotel room together.  They didn't have any rooms with two queen beds, so Mary Frances was on a roll away bed at the foot of our bed.  Margaret was in a pack-n-play in the corner of the room, and somehow it all worked and everyone slept when they were supposed to (for the most part, anyways).  Mary Frances thought her big girl bed was great and as soon as we walked into the room, she started jumping from bed to bed, just laughing and having so much fun.  Oh to be two and jump on the bed!

Enjoying her "big girl bed."

Friday we went to the Greenville Zoo which was so fun.  Definitely different than the Atlanta Zoo, but we had a great time and I thought we were actually closer to the animals at the Greenville Zoo.  Mary Frances still talks about the baby giraffe we saw.

In front of the zoo

Friday afternoon we walked around and ate dinner at The American Grocery.  It was absolutely delicious!  I am sure they thought we were a little crazy walking in there with two kids and our double Bob, but we made the most of it and were able to finish our dinner before any major meltdowns occurred.  We highly recommend it!  Paul was even sweet enough to take Mary Frances to our favorite ice cream spot, Spill the Beans, while I put Margaret to bed.  I know big sister enjoyed every bite!

Saturday morning we got up and going so we could eat breakfast at Stax's and head out to Furman.  We had beautiful weather, so spending the morning outdoors on Furman's beautiful campus was great.  Once we pulled into campus, we made our way to the lake to feed the ducks and let Mary Frances walk around for a bit.  Then we loaded everyone up into the stroller for Paul and I to walk around the lake and get a little exercise (one of my favorite things to do while I was at Furman!).  At one point, I am pretty sure both girls had fallen asleep in the stroller.  Then we landed by the fountains in between the library and chapel.  Mary Frances was in awe of the fountains!  We followed the fountains by getting lunch in the Paladen and having a picnic by the lake.  It was the perfect morning and a memory I will cherish forever.

At breakfast

Happy girl

Feeding the ducks

With my girls

Mary Frances taking in the fountains

Our picnic lunch

Paul with Margaret

Saturday afternoon we walk around a little more and got dinner across from Reedy River Park.  Mary Frances had one more trip to Spill the Beans and we made it back to the hotel at a decent time for bed.

We really had a wonderful weekend and I cannot wait for us to share more family vacations together in the future!

Love,
Katy