Ocean Lakes Myrtle Beach

Dan picked me up from Dulles Airport at 6pm Sunday night after being in Utah for Grandma's funeral. We got home and finished packing for our trip to SC to leave first thing in the morning.

So, thankfully we had the absolute best traffic ever experienced heading to SC down I95! Seriously so great. The kids all did great, watched shows, ate BYU candy and were excited to be going to the BEACH!





Ocean Lakes is the place Dan spent most of his childhood Summers going to. Grandma Branham owned a double wide there and a golf cart. Oh the fun they had and now we totally get it!
Ocean Lakes has a campground, RV site, tiny homes and not so tiny homes. Golf Carts, water park, bingo hall, ceramic painting, ice cream and more...

We stayed a pretty nice place with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen and deck. I didn't enjoy having to bring all the linens but for the price difference it was worth it. The beds were so creaky. Dan and I didn't sleep well with noisy beds and Aubree in our room. Most nights ended with Aubree in bed with us. But what family vacation ever ends well rested!

Monday night, after getting unpacked, we went to the water park and then the ocean. The kids were in heaven! The place was pretty much just ours, it was amazing! This week was the week to come. We didn't have crowds until Thursday/Friday because of the Labor Day Weekend holiday. There were two fun big water slides for the older kids, a lazy river, multiple kiddie pools and a fun kids water park. Clara and Aubree squealed with delight all night!

Aubree could do this slide all by herself. We were stopped by a life guard on the second day because she wasn't tall enough but when they weren't looking I let her.


Tuesday we went out to the beach first thing. Unfortunately Dan and the kids were in such a hurry we didn't sunscreen up until on the beach as it rained on un briefly. So, Dan got an awesome sunburn on his front (ode to the Christmas tree) and back. There was a huge tube/tunnel in the middle of the beach area recently put on for dredging which kept us from being allowed to put up our canopy we brought.
Jake and Tess loved boogie-boarding and the littles played in the sand and collected periwinkles.


Wednesday we went to Huntington State Park to have a clear open beach where we could put up our canopy.  Dan really wanted to see alligators. We tried but the kids were pretty anxious about it and glad that we didn't I think. We brought the cooler full of food and had a great comfy set up. We spent 4 hours on the beach. Aubree napped for about 45 minutes on Dan. Abby attempted to boogie board but was still to hesitant to go out in the water too far.  I made sure to apply sunscreen to everyone every 2 hours so we did pretty well not getting badly burned.


This is the only picture of me on the beach...holding Aubree's hand.


After 4 hours on the beach we packed up and headed to the car. Got everything/one loaded and then the car wouldn't start. I asked some young men walking past if they could jump off our car for us. As they were preparing to do so the owner of the car next to us came. Mary Ellen was a retired kindergarten teacher and a godsend. We tried to jump the car using hers beside us. It wouldn't budge. We call our roadside assistance and was told it would be about an hour before they'd be there with a toe truck. Dan and my phones were about dead. I took the girls to sit under a tree and we decided it was time to pray! Just as I ended our prayer Dan came up and told us that Mary Ellen just couldn't leave us all there. She offered to take as many as she could fit in her car back to our beach house! Jake and Tess stayed with Dan with hopes to fit in the toe truck driver. Mary Ellen saved us from all waiting another couple hours and the expense of getting a cab or Uber to take us home. She was our angel that day. I got home with the girls and worked on dinner. Dan and the older kids got home about 2 hours later. They ended up taking the car to a shop about a mile from our beach house. We spent $400 on a new starter. The crummy part is it would have been a 30 minute quick fix for Dan to do and only costed us about $150 for the part if we 'd been home. Oh well.



I am grateful for this porch to keep Aubree away from the traffic of the street below.


Bingo Night. Clara was tired and sad she wasn't winning, I wasn't sure we'd make it the entire 20 games. But on the last game, game #20 full board, Abby won!!! Oh so exciting! As her board got more and more full she'd look at me with big eyes and excitement, "Mom, I only have 3 left....MOm! only 2....mom!!!!" I helped her holler bingo. She took home a bingo winner shirt, sun glasses, and free hamburger combo and ice cream ticket.


Ceramic painting. Jake did a lighthouse, Tess a dog, Abby painted a crab as well as a fish and elephant biggie bank, and Clara painted a sandal. They turned out so cute.


Hollie and Cris stayed at Ocean Lakes the week before us. They sent Dan coordinates of where to find something they'd stashed for us. We found it! An Altoid container that had bracelets for everyone and the most clever little poem Hollie had written:
Hello cousins, you found the loot! Hiding it for us was such a hoot.
We hope that you are having loads of fun and go home with a smile once you are done. This place has a history of many fun-times, just ask your dad and he will fill your minds.
When times were different and parents more chill, we would ride our bikes till the sun went still. Long before there were waterslides here, we would climb trees, play shuffleboard and walk on the pier. Relaxing times were spent watching MTV and Tom & Jerry as this was the only time we had access to cable TV. Taking showers at the bath house was always a treat, since all the soap from everyone's shower would float by your feet.
We love you guys and hope you come again, but next time lets come together as kin. Neighboring beach shacks would be a blast. so lets do it again before too much time has passed. We hope while your here your dad will take you to see that infamous awesome place that we call t-31!


Finding the treasure left  by the Alvarez cousins!


Pool time with Grandma Odum who came for Thursday and Friday.


Aubree is difficult. She loved being outside but just didn't sleep well so was difficult to keep happy for long.




Clara loved this kid play area. There was a huge bucket that dumped every few minutes. She would run over and be there just in time.


We decided to splurge and take the family to The Family Pirate Show and dinner. At first I was going to stay with Aubree but than Grandma Odum offered to stay with her so I was able to go. It was a fun, action packed show! We were served rotisserie chicken, BBQ chicken, a cheesy roll, corn on the cob and dessert. The acrobats were my favorite. There were sea lions, mermaids, ghosts and Davey Jones ect. It was really fun. Pricey. But fun to watch the kids faces throughout the show.


All in all it was a fun trip. No one wanted to leave. I wanted more sleep. And now it's back to school and work. Ugh!

Claudia Young Duerden Breinholt Steed

My Grandma passed away peacefully in her home on August 17th. I had been in touch with Mom and Dad and knew the end was near. Sweet and inspired Steve set up a family video call for all of us the Sunday before she passed away, it was the last time I was able to see and hear her voice. Grandma had lost so much weight-- it was hard to see her on that video call. But as soon as I heard her same spunky voice I felt that familiar love.

My wonderful parents paid for my air fare to be able to go out for the funeral. I did my best to make my time away easier for Dan and the kids with crockpot meals assigned to Jake and Tess and baby sitting itinerary printed out on the fridge. I'm grateful for Patti Lui who is always so ready to jump right in when I need her and Dan who makes things work.

I love to see the mountains and smell the clear dry air of Utah! I was able to go to the temple with Emily and Liz and Kent one morning. I wanted to be more helpful to Dad and the tremendous amount of responsibility it will be to sort through Grandma's home but it just wasn't the time yet. So, I helped Lizzie and Kent move in and unpack their Wymount Married Student apartment.





I was able to go with Mom to dress Grandma in her temple cloths. Aunt Mace, Aunt Sheryl, and Grandma's sister-in-law were all there to help. When I first saw grandma's body it was startling and I fought back the tears. It's amazing what our spirit adds to our body. Clearly Grandma wasn't there.  I felt really grateful to have been a part of that last act of service we could do for her. I tied bows with Mom's help. Then we stayed and made suggestions to the mortician who put on Grandma's make up. Once the makeup was on it was a lot easier to see Grandma. Mom brought nail polish and did her nails. It was a reverent and sweet experience.

Everyone but Chuck and Ken were able to make it for the viewing and funeral. Friday night we met as a family, a very large family, at the funeral home and took some time to share memories of Grandma. That was my favorite part which unfortunately was cut short. There weren't many there who weren't family since Grandma was 93 years old and had been home bound for awhile. It has been years since I've seen the Duerden family, Uncles and cousins. All of Aunt Karen's kids were there and then Lesa and Mace's family too. We had a family prayer and closed the casket before opening the doors to the public.

Before the funeral service started we all met in the Relief Society room for one last family prayer.  I was asked to conduct the music which made me a bit nervous but it went fine. Every one of the Duerden boys spoke. I especially loved hearing about Grandma. I was really touched by Scott sharing how he had knelt by his Mom's bedside crying with her as she tried to understand why Claud had died. Then in return when he had his own personal crisis and called Grandma she had Grandpa Breinholt in the car and on their way to support Scott within minutes. They were best friends. I love that Grandma was so fiercely loyal to her boys, to her family. The was a spit-fire of a lady and had to be to endure all she did. Dad, Brad, Steve and the Duerdan boys all sang "Spring time In the Rockies" with Landon on the guitar. I think Grandma probably loved that. Then Steve had everyone in tears as he sang "How Great Thou Art" . It was BEAUTIFUL. Mace and Lesa spoke together using the theme of Grandma's "hands" and had us in tears and laughing. Dad ended the funeral with sweet and soft words of Grandma and the plan of salvation. It was quite the tribute to Grandma. The chapel was packed, mostly with family. After the grave side service we returned to the chapel for a dinner. It was fun to visit with family I haven't seen in years and may not see again for who knows how long!

After the dinner we went over to the home to take pictures one last time before everything changes...something I really wanted to do.

The front room. This picture doesn't do it justice. I will always love those white couches and huge Grand Canyon painting.




That lamp taps on and off...quite the temptation to play with as a kid from what I remember.


That clock, just as you walk in, was a surprise gift from Grandpa for Grandma and the first thing in their new home.

Many memories eating and talking around the kitchen table. Through that window was once a tire swing Lizzie and I spent hours playing on and a path that led to the "mighty forest" where we collected acorns for pennies.


I will always remember my grandparents bed room. I loved the wall of family photos. And those beautiful aspen tree paintings my grandpa did are a favorite! Grandma had my bridal picture on her dresser that she often mentioned she'd look at when she woke.


THIS backyard... where I cartwheeled and broke my arm, spent many 4th of July's viewing fire works and eating licorice, and had my wedding reception in. Oh, I'll miss it and that view.


This is the door leading to Grandpa Breinholt's studio where he painted. I love the I'd Rather Be Fishing sticker he had there.






Grandma Claudia's Family Tree


Church Rock owned by Grandma. This was where her father had the accident that took his life.


Grandma Tess, then Grandpa. Then Karen, Dad, Mace and Lesa.


Grandpa Harm then his first wife and their two kids.
The Duerden pictures were taken down at the time to use at the funeral.

Grandma's boots.





























I sure love you Grandma. I'm grateful I was able to be a part of this family time.

While I was in Utah...

Abby’s 9th Birthday

I was in Utah for my Grandma's funeral and missed Abby's 9th birthday. Dan, with the help of the kids and Grandma and Grandpa, made it a fun day for her.  Abby is really liking the FurReal Friends and bought the  monkey, pictured below,  with her own money. For her birthday she wanted the FurReal dog that ate and pooped. Funny girl. She had a sleepover with cousins and Bonnie made her Ego's with whip cream and sprinkles on top for her birthday breakfast. Than Grandma picked up a cake and the entire circle got to enjoy cake with ice cream. For her birthday dinner she wants chicken and dumplings. Her sweet friend Hannah gave her a birthday present, elephant shirt and miniature. She was so excited to get a birthday card and money in the mail from her Utah Grandparents. And she also got a card, on her birthday, from her Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Montgomery who shares the same bday with her. Mrs. Montgomery hasn't missed her birthday since Kindergarten!

Abby has grown and changed quite a bit this year. I love that she still wakes up happy no matter the time or amount of sleep she has had. She really wants to grow out her hair and have bangs like her best friend. (I love a cute bob on that girl framing that adorable face but o'well.) Abby has had a great Summer and is doing so much better with her anxiety. I have learned that this girl might have more of my tummy issues than I'd like...we've got to keep track of how much she eats and limit the junk food. Abby still plays so well with her younger sisters and enjoys pretending. She has the sweetest singing voice and isn't afraid to share that talent with others! She really wants to learn to play the piano, we've tried one lesson, and is going to play the trumpet in the school band this year.

Abby is learning, changing, and growing so quickly. She is a fun and cute kids to be around. Love you to the moon and back sweet girl!