Weekend in the Low Country

This past weekend, we drove down to Charleston, SC for Roy's dad's Low Country Festival. Unfortunately the first night of the festival was the same night as one of the consignment sales that I always attend. First things first. So I had everything packed on Friday afternoon, scooted off to the sale while Roy loaded the car, hurried home and off we went to Charleston. The sale was not the best it's ever been (I thought). I found some things, but didn't luck out like I wanted to. No worries. There is another local sale this week and then next week is the wonderful Divine Consign sale where everything is smocked and top of the line. I can't wait! Here is the line of crazy moms at the sale from Friday. It was wrapped around the building. I was near the middle:

We rolled into Charleston around 11:30 and got right into bed. Caroline slept in her grandparent's room, so we only had RoyBoy to deal with. I guess I can sum up the weekend with four words: ROY AUSTIN IS TEETHING!!!!!!! This boy was a mess! He slept awful, which meant Roy and I (I mean I) slept awful. Each morning of a festival starts with team devotions. There is always praise and worship followed by a devotional. Dolly, everyone missed you and told me to tell you hello. I took this picture for you of the team office ladies:

Amanda, Kathie and Dawn. Tea in hand and ready to listen to Ross:)

After devotions and a quick nap for RoyBoy, we headed to the Charleston Aquarium with our kids. This place is so cool and worth the visit. Both kids enjoyed it and so did we! There is a two-story wall with sea creatures behind it that I could have stayed in front of all day watching the sharks and other deep sea fish. It was so interesting. Here are the kids looking at one of the salt water exhibits:

We went to Joseph's for lunch (one of my Charleston faves) and then took bike taxis back to our car. Caroline loved riding on the cart:

I think RA1 did, too:

That night we went to the festival and look who Caroline found? Cousin Mel! (known to everyone as "Cuz"). Caroline LOVES him:

She also loves this guy:

This little guy just loves food. Period. Give him food and he is one happy camper. I found him devouring the spread in one of the back rooms:

We even went to a different room with another spread of cheese and crackers. He found it:

Remember how I said he was teething? Well, Sunday afternoon, Roy decided to take us on a nice carriage ride through historic Charleston. I love taking carriage rides through the city so I was excited and I thought it would be a nice family outing.

He looks all sweet and innocent but let me just say that he screamed half way through the tour! Our poor tour guide was talking over his screaming, I was apologizing, he was screaming, I was apologizing....it was rather stressful and I wanted to scream! To make matters worse, Cuz came along and sat right across from me and my sweet boy in the carriage. Finally he settled down and enjoyed the ride. Good thing, because I was literally about to tell the tour guide to pull the buggy over on the side of the street and let us off. When we got back to our car, I noticed two swollen teeth buds popping out of his botom gum. That's when I realized the sudden change of personality was from teething. Poor thing. I felt bad:(

Notice Roy Austin is itching to get off of that carriage. I think Cuz is, too. Thanks for our tour, Roy. That was nice of you and I will truly never forget this ride! (I think the tour guide needs a little lesson in centering a picture. Maybe he was getting revenge?).

Sunday night was the last night of the festival. Roy's mom, Jane, was a great help with Roy Boy. She rocked him to sleep during the Newsboys concert on Saturday night and then held him for a while on Sunday night to give me a break:

Here is Roy and his godfather, Uncle Dick. They just returned from Africa last Thursday so they were a little on the jet-lagged side!

We went out in the arena to go sit and listen to the music. Kirk Franklin was the first band that played and they gave a great concert! He never disappoints:

Caroline LOVED them and was dancing with her hands lifted in the air the entire time. She's just that spiritual already at 3 1/2 years of age. It was hilarious.

Casting Crowns was the next band to play. Elaine, I thought of you when they were playing "Praise You in the Storm". I enjoyed them and their music...

...however, their songs seemed to be a lullaby for one little girl:

Roy's dad did a great job. I would have taken pictures of him on stage, but I had to excuse myself with Mr. Teether and go hang out in the back on both nights. After the festival, we headed back to Charlotte. But while we were driving up I-26, we saw a sign beckoning us to come on over for a bite to eat:

This one's for you, Nancy. Nothing like ending a nice, Southern weekend with a good 'ol Southern meal.