Our Trip to South Carolina

My husband and I recently headed down to South Carolina {and North} with some of my in-laws to visit his great grandma.  She turned one hundred and one {wow, right!}...and me and the hubster got to meet her for the first time.  We had a fantastic time soaking in all the southern/east coast culture.  And thanks to our tour guide MIL, we got a taste of tourist life as well as "real life" in the south with the family.  You could say it was a well rounded experience!  Here are some snapshots of our little adventure!

We spent quite a bit of time in the airplane as well as the airport...and these pictures remind me how perfect my husband is for me...

One of our first stops was to the infamous Hobby Lobby...and it did not disappoint!  I often build things up in my head too much, but HL came through being even greater than my expectations {and I am thrilled one is FINALLY opening near Sacramento this week!!}.

We also stopped at Cracker Barrel...another very excited girl...

We stayed in Charleston for a few days...the whole place {and our hotel} were absolutely heavenly...

We visited a few plantations...the weather was cool and slightly overcast...and the lush greens were absolutely stunning...

I love how people were trying to be courteous by getting out of our photo, but obviously they were still in it!

The whole gang...{I picked up some jeggings at Wal-Mart for $5 because I didn't know it would be so chilly, and little miss wears a dress everyday didn't pack any pants.  But I really love them and am glad for an opportunity to add them to my wardrobe!}.

And as you can see, when I got hot, I just took the jeggings off!  Me with my sweet sister in law...

Cute cousins {sisters}...

We got to roam the streets of Charleston...admiring all the beautiful churches and architecture...

It was fun to see little things that are different from California...for example, many of the street signs and lights hung on wire instead of polls...{but they still have Lucky Brand Jeans!}

We went on a horse carriage ride around town, which included a tour guide who shared all kinds of interesting history with us...

And this is a result of horse carriage rides...a whole lotta sh..........shoveling!

I was so excited to finally understand why "y'all" love ferns so much!  I never got it!  But I do now...they look beautiful and were everywhere! 

There was also a bit of down time...I hung out with the "kids" while all the "adults" talked...

And we relaxed the southern way...

While we were visiting Great Grandma, we got to attend her birthday party and meet lots of family...the girls with grandma...

And get to experience a southern potluck...this lactose intolerant girl found it very interesting to say the least! wink.

And we didn't stop there...lots of eating out...lots of fried food...lots of pepcid...

We also headed to this little gem...

The loveliest Christmas store was inside...and you might say I fell in love with this display...

If you are following me on Pinterest, you will see my mind is rolling with cotton candy and lolipops...

More eating and site seeing...

So interesting and gross at the same time...

But this is why...I threw some of my beef jerky at them and they went at it...

And a dip in the Atlantic ocean at Sunset beach...

And some more eating...milkshakes and burgers...it took me a week to get my digestive track back to normal...and I am pretty sure I gained back the few pounds I lost before the trip...I guess I should just be glad that they canceled each other out...

Proof there was no man left behind...

And we couldn't have a complete trip without a little cotton pickin...I apologize to the dear farmer who owns this cotton, but I promise to love and take care of the cotton over here in sunny California...and it made our trip complete!

Thanks for letting me share about our fantastic trip {and for being patient as it always takes me weeks to put together a post!}.  It was so fun to know so many of my "bloggy friends" lived close by and it was neat to be a part of your life for a week {well...the site seeing, eating out, going shopping part of your life}!  Come visit California any time! xo