Hi Friends! Iโ€™m Natalie Mason. I live in Charleston, SC and I am mom to Sterling 12 , Frances Moon 8 and our mini golden doodle Dolly.

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It’s Vacay Time!

Sep 2, 2011

I am so excited because tomorrow morning we are leaving for our week long family vacay. Every year my parents rent a house for a week and we all go and have so much fun. I miss living in the same city as my brother and sister so I always love seeing them! We lay out, swim, and drink and eat way too much. I am hoping to sneak in a date night with Matt since we will have so many babysitters around:) We are headed to Holden Beach this year if anyone has restaurant suggestions!





I am almost done with Sarah’s Key and I picked up Heaven is For Real to read while I am sunbathing. I watched an interview this week with the family on Dateline and it seems like such an amazing and inspiring story.



I am super excited to wear my new Tolani Cover-up. It is very similar to this one Jessica Alba is wearing.





While we are at the beach we usually go out for one big family dinner and then each couple gets assigned a night to cook dinner. Let me tell you its gets kind of competitive. This year Matt and I are thinking about doing fish tacos, half fried and half grilled. We have cooked grilled fish tacos alot but never fried ones, so send any suggestions or recipes my way!





Another Beach Trip tradition is my hubby always makes Pirate Punch. A crazy concoction of rum, champagne, lime juice and a few other things. Let me tell you they are pretty dangerous because you can’t taste the liquor! This is us enjoying them last year.





We also always try to get a family picture. This is me and my boys last year. Crazy how much Sterling has grown!





I am looking forward to a fabulous and relaxing week! Have a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend!

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  1. Alicia xoxxo says:

    How fun! I love family vacay! It sounds like you all have a great time! I love that you all take turns cooking dinner! I may **steal** that idea for our next family vacation! that pirates punch sounds delish! i love anything with champagne so this is right up my alley! you should post the recipe! ๐Ÿ˜‰ we havent had a family vacay in a couple years because we are al getting so busy and it makes me so sad. after reading your post and ssing how much fun your family has it makes me miss my family! i am going to insist on vacation next year! have so much fun next week! i love the cover-up! super cute!!!!

  2. You are so cute! Ohhh a week with family would be so nice. Looks like a recipe for great memories, have fun!

  3. 17 Perth says:

    Yay!! Have so much fun!!

  4. Please have so much fun! I have been dying to read Heaven is for Real.

  5. Marina says:

    Everyone is going on vacations and I am staying home ๐Ÿ™

  6. KatiePerk says:

    We love family vacay! Enjoy your beach trip. We have been to Holden's but I can't remember any restaurants.

  7. Have fun on your vacay! It sounds like a great time!! And that Pirate Punch…. YUM!!! Love your blog btw ๐Ÿ˜‰

  8. Erin says:

    I can't wait to read "heaven is for real" Ive heard amazing things about it!

  9. That book sounds so good. I want to read it too.

    Those rum drinks sounds amazeballs. Post the recipe!!

    You are such a good looking little family. Love that last photo. ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. How FUNNN! Definitely looks like something up my alley! Love how all you take turns cooking and that hubby makes Pirate Punch! What a fun time!!

  11. So this is what you're up to! Have fun, will miss you. Lunch date when upon your return!

  12. Sara Mueller says:

    Enjoy and relax! For fish tacos, I use panko crumbs and season it with salt, pepper, and paprika. Whip some egg whites, drench your white fish in it, roll it in the panko mixture and fry in a pan. They are so delicious with some fresh salsa and light sour cream.

  13. Katherine says:

    adorable pictures! I love them all ๐Ÿ™‚ How do you find your Tolani cover ups? I have loved them after seeing that same Jessica Alba pic but have yet to jump the gun,.

  14. DKPA says:

    Have a great week!

    Can you please post the recipe for the punch!

  15. how fun! I think Sterling looks like your dad ๐Ÿ™‚ Have a great week!

  16. So fun!
    Are you loving Sarah's Key? It's one of my absolute favorites! And I just read 'Heaven' and LOVED it too!

    The pirate punch sounds delish!

  17. Kris M. says:

    Make this salsa with your dinner and you will be the hit of vaca. Mix the kraft seasoning with the lime juice and pour over all ingredients..it's awesome and fresh.

    what you need
    1 env. GOOD SEASONS Italian Dressing Mix
    1 canย  (16 oz.) black beans, drained, rinsed
    1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen corn, thawed
    1 cupย  chopped ripe mango
    1/2 cup chopped red pepper
    1/3 cupย  chopped red onion
    1/3 cup chopped cilantro
    1/4 cupย  lime juice
    I use white frozen corn from Trader joes.

  18. Jill says:

    I hope you are having a fabulous vacay!! Your family sounds like mine in regards to cooking, it becomes a very fierce competition on the meals we prepare and then we have an appetizer cook off the last night where everyone votes on the best apps. The losers are told to "pack up their knives and go home"

    cant wait to see all your fab pictures:)

  19. Jill says:

    Oh and let me know what you think of the book, i just bought it last week

  20. Bud and Leo says:

    Sorry I am just now catching up on my blog reading ๐Ÿ™‚ Have so much fun on your trip!!! Sounds like everything is going to be a blast! I watched that interview about Heaven is for Real too and can't wait to read it- I'm interested to hear your thoughts when you're finished! And we do the week-long vaca too and have meal nights and I take it a step further and add decor (I can't help myself). Last year we did Mexican and I downloaded la bamba, etc and brought sombreros & maracas for everyone! I'm out of control, clearly. Have a wonderful time! We'll miss ya ๐Ÿ˜‰ xo Lisa

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