The Keckley's

Hiking at Hunting Island State Park

We decided to take a hike on the trails of Hunting Island State Park. It was a good thing we brought bug spray because the mosquitos were out in full force! The hike ended at a beach suffering the effects of erosion. It sure was beautiful, though!

This was the first time that any of us had seen sand dollars in the wild. The beach was filled with them!

Halloween 2013

We had a really nice time at the Hunting Island State Park Halloween Trunk-or-Treat. The boys got more than enough candy, played games, got their faces (or in Garren's case, arms) painted, listened to local ghost stories, spotted dolphins and a jelly fish off the pier, and made smores over the campfire. They wanted to be characters from Minecraft. Garren is a creeper and Calvin is a pig. We passed out "pumpkin poop" (cheese balls) to the trick-or-treaters.

Calvin took this picture for me!

Calvin got a turtle painted on his forhead and Garren got a snake painted on his arm.

SC Aquarium

We've been having a great time dicovering all there is to do in SC. We decided to get season passes to the SC Aquarium in Charleston (1hr and 15minutes away). The boys have so much fun! There are many interactive exhibits and new things to discover every time we go.

I feel like this eagle is only a few feet from me and the only thing seperating us are some tiny wires. Oh, I forgot, IT IS!

outside the aquarium overlooking the bridge

Calvin and Garren made a new best friend!

ready for some diving!

searching for butterflys

the lemur exhibit in the new "Madagascar" section of the aquarium

Happy 6th Birthday, Calvin!

This year Calvin got to have two birthday parties. We had one informal party with extended family at Disney World and one at home with just our family. Happy Birthday to our little C-Boy! We love you!

I wrapped up his lunch for a surprise at school

Calvin chose a fruit pie we saw on Pinterest instead of cake

such a cute boy!

Calvin got one of his favorite books, "Calvin Can't Fly" as well as a stuffed "Calvin"

Don't Break the Ice

Calvin's Field Trip

I was so glad to be chosen to help chaperone Calvin and his classmates on their field trip to the pumkin patch. They listened to pumpkin/fall related stories and got to pick out their very own pumpkin. The trip ended with playing at the waterside park and icecream from a local ice-cream shop.

Mrs. Tanner's kindergarten class

riding the school bus

looking for the perfect pumpkin

found it!

Fort Fremont

After visiting the Penn Center museum of St. Helena, SC we went to Fort Fremont. It was very cool to be able to climb on the old fort. Afterwards, we went for a walk on the beach.

exploring the ruins

Taking a picture of this palm-sized horseshoe crab shell was the only way Chris would agree not to take it home.

Port Royal, SC

We found a very small apartment to rent (on a month-to-month basis) in Port Royal, SC. The apartment is furnished so all we had to do was bring our clothes. It will be great to get into a house and get our things out of storage. The boys are having fun with the "order up!", a peek-a-boo from the kitchen to the dining area.

New Creek House "After" Pics

The house is finally complete (just in time to sell it and allow someone else to enjoy our labors!)! It took 1 year but the "Granny" is out and I'm very pleased with the results. Now it's time to pack and move to Bluffton, SC!

Garren's First Target Practice

shooting his new Marlin 60 .22

shooting Dad's Makarov

turns out he is quite the marksman!

Garren's Baptism

Is it possible to dread something and be looking forward to it at the same time? This is how I've felt ever since Garren's 7th birthday when I realized that I would be planning his baptism in only 1 year! On the one hand, I don't want my little boy growing up and this milestone in his life would be evidence of that. And on the other hand, I'm so excited for Garren to offically become a member of the church and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (a gift I treasure in my own life). Garren has such a special spirit and he knows that following the Savior's example is the only way to begin his eighth year! (A special thanks to Craig and Elizabeth for taking all the pictures so I could focus on more important things!)