Cars = Everything Important

Isn't this a great picture? This is a photo from the Gardner/Kincaid/Williams/Ussery Vacation that we took to Garden City Beach last week. We had great weather, lots of eyes and hands to take care of Jack, and tons of fun. It's been tradition to go annually for say 126 years I think:) Actually, I have no idea how long our family has vacationed at this beach, but it's long enough to be anticipated for the whole year. Very low key and very fun. Thanks, Brian, for taking these great pictures!!!


While in Myrtle Beach, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to visit the local Nascar Cafe. Jack has a new infatuation with everything Cars, so we thought if he were to behave at any restaurant, then it would be this one. And we were right. He ate most of his food, all of his ketchup, and was rewarded with two turns at the kiddie Nascar ride. He loved it.

After the Nascar Cafe, we stopped in at one of the million Eagle's, Wings or Pacific stores (can't remember which one) because John saw a '4 T shirts for $10' sign. He couldn't pass it up. So we ended the night by purchasing a beautiful assortment of Myrtle Beach T shirts. You can only imagine how awesome these T shirts are. The group favorite was the one John wore, which was bright orange, sleeveless and said "Myrtle Beach Bike Week: On a wing and a prayer" We don't even know what that means, but we LOVE IT!!!!


During the day, Jack spent most of his time on the beach or in the pool. He's still a little wary of the waves rolling in, but overall enjoys his time out there. He spotted a ride on toy car down the beach on Day 1, which he couldn't ignore, so....guess who has one of their very own now? We actually just took a stroll down the street in it. He loves it!


Here's the Gardner/Ussery crew. Not as great of quality as Brian's camera, but still a nice picture! I tried to use Jack as a belly distraction, but, as you can see, that didn't pan out as planned.

Jack did so well this year during family photo night. We realized that he would smile and clap as long as everyone else did. So, we all looked really cool standing on the beach, yelling and clapping while all wearing matching outfits!:) The things we do for a smile....But this picture shows why it's worth it, right?

In going along with the car theme, which can't really be ignored because our lives are consumed with cars these days, John took Jack on this ride at Broadway at the Beach. Jack LOVED it. He loved it so much that he screamed when he got off. After 2 turns, we called it quits though. He could have stayed on until he vomited, or until one of us vomited watching him.

This picture was taken yesterday at Hampton Lake. John had a great idea for us to take out a Duffy boat and cruise around the lake while we ate our lunch. It was a lot of fun. The only disaster was that Jack threw Lightening McQueen, his favorite Cars toy, over the side. We already have a replacement, and therefore, our sanity back.

I'm thinking about sending this picture to the Duffy boat manufacturers, because if I can drive this thing, then anyone can.

Recent Funny Jack Stories

1. Yesterday Jack was taking a nap and I was on the computer. The TV was off, no radio on so I could hear when he woke up. Never heard a cry or noice, but I did hear the distinctive sound of his bedroom door handle turn. My first thought, albeit psychotic and extremely paranoid, was "OH NO!!!! Someone has come into the house and is going into Jack's room!!!" Wrong. It was someone coming out of Jack's room, and that someone was JACK! AHHHHH!!!! He crawled out of his crib for the first and hopefully only time in his life. He didn't look or act excited like "Yeah, look what I just did...FREEDOM!" He quietly walked out and started looking for his cars which is what he always does. I picked him up, took him in his room, and told him how scary that was for Mommy that he had climbed out and that if he wanted out of his crib he needed to call for me. We'll see how that 'talkin' to' works. If not, he'll be transitioning to his big bed, which is one of those sad/happy things for a mom.

2. Today we went to the mall for Jack to play on the indoor playground because it was raining. After 5 minutes some 10 year old (who shouldn't have been playing on the kiddie toys) clobbered Jack. Of course he cried, but he was not injured or anything. Then...horror of horrors, he sees another boy there who has the same Tow Mater car toy that he has. Of course he assumes that he's the only kid in the world with that toy and that obviously this other child has stolen his. So, Jack looks at me and says "Uh oh." It was funny to think what could have been going through his mind...."Uh oh, I've lost Mater forever?"...."Uh oh, will I ever get him back?".....or...."Uh oh, I'm gonna have to kick this kid's tail right here and now."

3. After the mall, Jack was hungry (and so was I, of course). We're out of lunch food at home, so I did the horrible mother thing and stopped at a Drive Thru. So blame me if Jack ends up on the next Super Size Me movie. Anyway, we pulled up to the window, I rolled it down and Jack says, "Fries, please. Thank You", which sounded more like "Frithes peas, daydoo". Hilarious!!!!