{"id":12426,"date":"2015-06-10T22:27:15","date_gmt":"2015-06-10T22:27:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/?p=12426"},"modified":"2020-08-20T18:16:54","modified_gmt":"2020-08-20T22:16:54","slug":"more-from-bald-head-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/2015\/06\/10\/more-from-bald-head-island\/","title":{"rendered":"More from Bald Head Island"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Don&#8217;t try this at home<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12427\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5902.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A5902\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5902.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5902-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5902-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5902-348x232.jpg 348w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>They do their own stunts<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12428\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5909.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A5909\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5909.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5909-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5909-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Good thing this was the ultra slow golf cart<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12429\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5912.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A5912\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5912.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5912-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5912-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Goofballs<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12430\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5935.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A5935\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5935.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5935-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5935-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There was a point on this trip where Andy and I found ourselves with just the younger two and he pointed out to them that before we knew it that is how our trips would be. 4 instead of 6.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12431\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5943.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A5943\" width=\"667\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5943.jpg 667w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5943-600x900.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5943-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>To say this makes me a bit sad would be an understatement. Even if we had a bunch more kids there is never getting past the ones that fly the coop and no longer are around on a regular basis.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12432\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5945.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A5945\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5945.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5945-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5945-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I have been thinking about this A LOT lately. I mean A. Lot.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12433\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5948.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A5948\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5948.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5948-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5948-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It has already somewhat happened. We don&#8217;t see much of Austin. And when he is here he is always studying. Yes, even in the summer. Dude is driven. He just got a letter from Ohio State inviting him to take classes there next year (his senior year in High School) it&#8217;s a special program for overachievers. Don&#8217;t hate. Blake will probably live in my basement until he finds a girl that will take care of him for the rest of his life so he can just hang and play guitar. And I&#8217;m not being mean- ask him. That&#8217;s his goal. They are all different<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12434\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5951.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A5951\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5951.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5951-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5951-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I love them all <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12437\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5970.jpg\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5970.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5970-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5970-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/> so much it is sometimes hard to take.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12435\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5955.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A5955\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5955.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5955-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5955-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>But that&#8217;s what makes life so sweet isn&#8217;t it? That raw feeling of living it to the fullest? Because you move forward and yet still feel SO MUCH for what is already in the books- your story.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12436\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5961.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A5961\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5961.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5961-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5961-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I can&#8217;t imagine not capturing all my life&#8217;s moments with my camera. But it is for sure bittersweet.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12437\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5970.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A5970\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5970.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5970-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5970-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There are no doubt times when I wonder if it would be easier to not have all these thoughts and memories and pictures to reflect on. Just to live in the present.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12438\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5973.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A5973\" width=\"667\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5973.jpg 667w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5973-600x900.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5973-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>And I am pretty sure that is perfect for a lot of people.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12439\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5977.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A5977\" width=\"1000\" height=\"834\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5977.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5977-600x500.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5977-300x250.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>But for me I am ok with the heartbreak that come with a look back on old pictures, or a blog post from last year when their faces were just a bit chubbier.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12440\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5978.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A5978\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5978.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5978-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5978-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m not gonna lie. It makes me cry. Pretty much every time. And those that have followed my blog for a while- well you know. My kids got big fast. I&#8217;m sure yours did too. It&#8217;s not fair. But yet it is. It&#8217;s life. That&#8217;s the way it goes.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12441\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5983.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A5983\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5983.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5983-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5983-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>So I try to remind myself to stop dwelling on how things once were. Those days were great, and I most certainly miss them. But these days are fun too. And if I spend too much time thinking about how much I missed the way things were I would be missing how great things are now<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12442\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5986.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A5986\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5986.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5986-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5986-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Like when we chase down the over-achiever and harass him<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12443\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5987.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A5987\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5987.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5987-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A5987-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As we are off to play at a &#8220;howl at the moon&#8221; party, while he runs&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12444\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6000.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A6000\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6000.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6000-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6000-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>My kids are all so different. And each has had their issues and challenges. Some easy, some not so easy.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12445\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6027.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A6027\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6027.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6027-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6027-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>But I am learning to embrace the good in each kid- like Cole&#8217;s ability to make friends wherever we go. This guy happened to be from Chapel Hill so they had stuff in common.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12446\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6030.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A6030\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6030.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6030-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6030-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We had a rainy day and went to climb the lighthouse- Old Baldy<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12448\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6032.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A6032\" width=\"667\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6032.jpg 667w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6032-600x900.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6032-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There were so many great pirate stories at the light house<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12449\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6033.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A6033\" width=\"667\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6033.jpg 667w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6033-600x900.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6033-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>the boys were so into it<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12450\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6037.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A6037\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6037.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6037-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6037-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m not going to lie. It wasn&#8217;t a very hot day but that light house felt like a sauna. And for someone that doesn&#8217;t like small spaces or heights it was a bit of torture for me.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12451\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6044.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A6044\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6044.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6044-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6044-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>But I did it because that is what you do for your people. But I was the first one back down! That&#8217;s Cole up there. If you can&#8217;t tell.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12452\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6047.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A6047\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6047.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6047-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6047-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>You know how it takes a few days to get into vacyay mode- and then before you know it it is time to go home, right as you were getting your grove. Next year it&#8217;s going to be two weeks. Which is what we found most people on the island do.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-12453\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6051-957x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A6051\" width=\"957\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6051-957x1024.jpg 957w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6051-600x642.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6051-280x300.jpg 280w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6051.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 957px) 100vw, 957px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Since the weather was a bit weird we had the pool to ourselves<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12454\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6055.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A6055\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6055.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6055-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6055-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-12455\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6056.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A6056\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6056.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6056-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6056-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I was in love with all the flowers there<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12456\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6063.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A6063\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6063.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6063-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6063-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-12458\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6065.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A6065\" width=\"667\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6065.jpg 667w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6065-600x900.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6065-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>lame boys<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12459\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6066.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A6066\" width=\"1000\" height=\"727\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6066.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6066-600x436.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6066-300x218.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>pool boy<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12460\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6067.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A6067\" width=\"667\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6067.jpg 667w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6067-600x900.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6067-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Crazy clouds. I miss it.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12461\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6072.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A6072\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6072.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6072-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6072-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-12462\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6076.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A6076\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6076.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6076-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6076-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>And these two- cherishing every moment&#8230;.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12463\" src=\"https:\/\/elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6080.jpg\" alt=\"Q14A6080\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6080.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6080-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6080-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Don&#8217;t try this at home They do their own stunts Good thing this was the ultra slow golf cart Goofballs There was a point on this trip where Andy and I found ourselves with just the younger two and he pointed out to them that before we knew it that is how our trips would be. 4 instead of 6. To say this makes me a bit sad would be an understatement. Even if we had a bunch more kids there is never getting past the ones that fly the coop and no longer are around on a regular basis. I have been thinking about this A LOT lately. I mean A. Lot. It has already somewhat happened. We don&#8217;t see much of Austin. And when he is here he is always studying. Yes, even in the summer. Dude is driven. He just got a letter from Ohio State inviting him to take classes there next year (his senior year in High School) it&#8217;s a special program for overachievers. Don&#8217;t hate. Blake will probably live in my basement until he finds a girl that will take care of him for the rest of his life so he can just hang and play guitar. And I&#8217;m not being mean- ask him. That&#8217;s his goal. They are all different I love them all so much it is sometimes hard to take. But that&#8217;s what makes life so sweet isn&#8217;t it? That raw feeling of living it to the fullest? Because you move forward and yet still feel SO MUCH for what is already in the books- your story. I can&#8217;t imagine not capturing all my life&#8217;s moments with my camera. But it is for sure bittersweet. There are no doubt times when I wonder if it would be easier to not have all these thoughts and memories and pictures to reflect on. Just to live in the present. And I am pretty sure that is perfect for a lot of people. But for me I am ok with the heartbreak that come with a look back on old pictures, or a blog post from last year when their faces were just a bit chubbier. I&#8217;m not gonna lie. It makes me cry. Pretty much every time. And those that have followed my blog for a while- well you know. My kids got big fast. I&#8217;m sure yours did too. It&#8217;s not fair. But yet it is. It&#8217;s life. That&#8217;s the way it goes. So I try to remind myself to stop dwelling on how things once were. Those days were great, and I most certainly miss them. But these days are fun too. And if I spend too much time thinking about how much I missed the way things were I would be missing how great things are now Like when we chase down the over-achiever and harass him As we are off to play at a &#8220;howl at the moon&#8221; party, while he runs&#8230; My kids are all so different. And each has had their issues and challenges. Some easy, some not so easy. But I am learning to embrace the good in each kid- like Cole&#8217;s ability to make friends wherever we go. This guy happened to be from Chapel Hill so they had stuff in common. We had a rainy day and went to climb the lighthouse- Old Baldy There were so many great pirate stories at the light house the boys were so into it I&#8217;m not going to lie. It wasn&#8217;t a very hot day but that light house felt like a sauna. And for someone that doesn&#8217;t like small spaces or heights it was a bit of torture for me. But I did it because that is what you do for your people. But I was the first one back down! That&#8217;s Cole up there. If you can&#8217;t tell. You know how it takes a few days to get into vacyay mode- and then before you know it it is time to go home, right as you were getting your grove. Next year it&#8217;s going to be two weeks. Which is what we found most people on the island do. Since the weather was a bit weird we had the pool to ourselves I was in love with all the flowers there lame boys pool boy Crazy clouds. I miss it. And these two- cherishing every moment&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":12457,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[90,20,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12426","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-beach","category-travel","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Q14A6064.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12426","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12426"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12426\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17475,"href":"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12426\/revisions\/17475"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12457"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12426"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12426"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.elisalou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12426"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}