After 2 years, we are at the beach again – just the 5 of us. Well, actually last time we did beach at Hilton Head, it was the 4 of us and Mia at about to pop out, so let’s just say – not particularly active.

This time – all can swim, 2 can bike, no strollers, no hippo crawling with the family (yes, that was me), one extra dog. So we decided to do something different and a little more natural. Kiawah has always been on our list as the “best island in the country”, and given it is 5 hours away – why not?

So far, we love it. The house is gorgeous, with a view and porch over a lagoon with a family pet – a 9 ft. alligator who comes to about 4 feet away from us regularly – freaking me out. We knew she was here but thought sort of in a distance? But yesterday when we got here, she quietly swam to our terrace, watching us. Kids loved it, Brian and I cautiously observing where any one of them can fall in to become Allie’s snack. Of course there is a tree to climb right over the alligator’s hang out.

Allie, our companion

the tree coming out of our porch

We love the no plan vacation, we literally are just hanging out, biking to a beach, searching for shells, crabs and playing games. Only one thing was carefully planned and that is Lucas’s 8th years birthday on Monday – a fishing trip on a sailboat !