South Cakalaki

We're back! Oh man, was that a fun and relaxing two weeks in South Carolina! The only thing I won't miss = fire ants! I got tons of bites on my feet! Thanks for warning me to bring other shoes besides flipflops, PAUL! When my first bite started to bubble up, I freaked out and thought I was having an allergic reaction! Apparently, that's supposed to happen. I think they all got a good laugh at my lack of country-livin' experience. Anyway, here are our TOP 15 vacation highlights:

15. Jenna's First Plane Ride!

On the way there we thought we'd try a red eye flight thinking she would sleep the whole way. Mission mostly accomplished, except I forgot that I would need sleep too! The way back was much better, during the day. Jenna loves people, and there were plenty of them, smiling and talking to her. She also loves the sound of her own voice! She gabbed and gurgled and occasionally threw in a LOUD high-pitched scream, just in case there was someone on the plane or in the airport who hadn't noticed her yet!

The best part is Jenna didn't show much jet-lag. She just continued on her semi-normal schedule!

14. Teething Fun!
We haven't actually felt any teeth trying to poke through yet, but everyone keeps telling me that she's teething, so there you go! She chews on ANYTHING she can get in her mouth, so we had to be careful. She sat at the table while we ate, and would move her mouth like she was chewing, so we gave her a carrot to chew and sips of water. Hopefully she'll be eating solid foods soon!

13. Ghetto-Rigged Highchair
12. Reading!
Now that the stress of school is gone, I was soo excited to read books again! I told Paul I would try one of his favorite authors, so we are currently both reading the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan (I'm on book 1, Paul's on book 6). This guy is seriously good at details and plots, so it's been fun so far! My sister-in-law Kristy (and every other girl I've ever met... and two guys) is presently consumed with the vampire books. I've heard such good things - I'm thinking they'll be my next adventure!

11. New Toys!
We had to keep Jenna mostly off the floor (dog hair) so we found this cute bouncer for $7! Wow! And Grandma got her some link toys for traveling in the carseat (they live in the middle of nowhere, so it took 1/2 hour to get anywhere!) and a teething ring - Yum!

Jenna LOVES the camera!

10. Puzzles and Games!
I thought my family liked puzzles, until I met Paul and his mom - they're hard core! They've got a system down, and they won't stop until it's done! We did a quick 500-piece for family night:We got Alissa Ticket to Ride for her birthday and Paul and I brought Killer Bunnies. Both are so fun! We highly recommend them!

9. The Porch Swing!
Whenever Jenna got upset, Will would say "gimme that pretty girl" and take her to the porch swing. I don't know if it was the swing or being outside or the combination, but she loved swinging with PopPop!

Sleeping with Grandma

8. Eating Contests... boys!Surprisingly, Paul was the first to tap out! But Jarom could barely stand afterwards!

7. DDR!
6. Rock Band!
Almost every night Paul gathered us for "band practice".

5. Dogs! Dogs! Dogs!... Dogs! Dogs!
That's right - 5 dogs! Alissa brought Keilani and Molly, Jarom brought Charlie, and Lucy and Buddy live there. We were surrounded! We just couldn't stop all the licking! Jenna liked to watch them run around, and by the end of the trip she wasn't at all affected by barking!

Jenna and Buddy

Aaah! Kisses from Charlie!

4. Bowling!
We were all a little rusty for the first game: The 81-year-old guy with two replaced shoulders was the winner! But the second game, Grandma came out of nowhere and schooled us all! I got second place - Woot! - but probably just because Paul bowled my first two frames!

Jenna wouldn't touch the ball, and she laughed at everyone else!

She had a great time!

3. Sitting up by herself!

Step 1

Step 2

I'm amazing!

2. Wedding!
Congratulations Hilary and Kevin! They got married August 9th in the Columbia, SC Temple. It was a beautiful wedding and they are just too cute together!

1. Family!
The best part was just being with family! It was so much fun, and we got to see the entire Schertz-side clan! See the wedding slideshow for family pics...

We love you guys!