Every year we are lucky enough to have a family beach trip with Taylor’s family at Ocean Isle beach in North Carolina. It is an awesome week, and the family has grown so much that this year we will need two houses for the very first time.

This year, we decided to include our own family trip to the beach as well- just the 4 of us, to the beach, for 4 days. Taylor found the perfect place for us. One lesson learned from our Christmas trip to Washington DC is that (unfortunately) we have outgrown the single-room option while traveling. Though it is cheaper, the poor quality of sleep and the way we have to be silent around Mercy’s nap schedule when sharing a room just aren’t worth while. So this two bedroom condo in Kingston Plantation was perfect.

Besides our room, the overall size of Kingston Plantation included several large condo buildings, dozens (if not hundreds) of townhouses/duplexes, pools, a gym, a spa, etc.

We spent most of our hotel time at the pool. Taylor and I joke that Mercy keeps trying to injure herself- by jumping in the pool (she can’t swim), jumping on the table, jumping off a balcony, etc. Rosie could live in a swimming pool- she just needs someone to entertain her. Taylor’s summary is “we have one kid we are trying to keep alive, and another kid we are trying to entertain.”

The first night we did barefoot landing. It was great- way better than we expected, with many updated restaurants, stores, music, etc. Plus, Mercy had space to run around, which is a huge plus for us in this weird period of life with a 1 year old and a 7 year old.

The second night we did Broadway at the Beach. THIS- is the heart of myrtle beach. What I mean by that is this is where the riff-raff, and all of the stereotypes about Myrtle Beach being commercialized and run-down can live. The board walk there is falling apart. The people watching was insane- you want a dress code? You are not gonna find it there. Cotton candy, dipping dots, and air-brushed memories really make this place shine. We loved it.