Our Florida trip this year was absolutely wonderful. Sunny and mid-80's every single day for the entire 9 days that we were there. As we were driving home and the temps kept dipping lower and lower, we again asked ourselves, WHY do we live in Illinois?! As usual I have taken enough pictures to last an entire year, so I will be breaking them up into several posts. Our Internet is down at home at the moment, so I am working on this from school as I get the chance. We headed out on Wed, March 16th. I took the Thurs. and Fri. before spring break off, so Jay and the boys were waiting for me in the "parent pick up lane" right after school, and we were off! Here are the boys in our loaded down car. Look at those innocent smiles...they had NO idea how long 18 hours was going to be!!! ;)
Here are the suspects!
Jay's parents and sister, Allie, were also driving close behind us. We all agreed to stop for dinner together, and wanted to wait until we got a few more miles behind us so it was a little later than the boys usually eat. Hunter finally resorted to chewing on his toes, which cracked Holden up!! He did not believe me when I told him he used to do the same thing. :)
All I have to say is, thank goodness for McDonald's! About the time that we were ready for a full melt-down mode from Hunter, there were the golden arches. This one had a Play Land, and as you can see, the "big kids" got in on the fun, too. 
The boys fell asleep soon after McD's and slept the majority of the night, save for waking up at a few pit stops in the middle of the night/wee hours of the morning to get gas. About 3:30 am we were filling up, and Holden was awakened when Hunter started whimpering. He GLARED at me with beady little eyes and snapped, "Mommy, we just wanna go to the BEACH!" It was hysterical. Poor buddy. We stopped for breakfast, and then about 10:30, arrived at our condo. This was waiting for us:
Oh, how I love the blue skies, palm trees, beach scenery, and the warm sun! When we arrive in Florida from Illinois, the difference in the two places in March reminds me a bit of Dorothy stepping out of her house and saying, "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto."
We wasted no time in heading to the pool. We spent a lot of quality time there during vacation. The pictures below are compiled from several different days during the week. The condo we stayed at is Jay's aunt's. It has two pools, a lagoon, a fishing dock, and lots of pretty scenery. It is only 5 minutes from the beach. Heaven.
Love this one: so typical of Holden. Just floatin' along with his wings on, not a care in the world.
Hunter LOVED the heated pool water, and splashing his chubby little hands in it.
Holden walking over the bridge between the pool and the condo. He loved to look down at the crabs and fish.
Hunter was so small last summer that he hasn't really experienced the outdoors when it is not winter, other than being covered in the shade. He was a big fan!
Our first day there was St. Patrick's Day! As a good Irish girl (on my dad's side; I owe it to them for my lovely pasty skin!) I had packed the boys' matching Irish shirts, and they wore them that evening. Here are some pics of them around the condo. Memaw's new beach hat was a big hit with both boys. Crack me up!
Our friends, Mike and Penny, and their son, Jason, were staying in a condo on the beach. We went to invade that evening. Here are the boys and I with Allie.
Holden got his wish of "just going to the BEACH!" Ha! Here is a group picture with Jay's parents and sister. It was a beautiful view with the sun setting.
Love this one of our little family!
The beach was everything Holden had been waiting for. He LOVED it! Loved the sand, running by the waves to get his feet wet and then squealing and running out, finding shells, running after seagulls, you name it. He is such an outdoors boy. I thought he looked so cute in his little red baseball cap, running along the shore and digging around in the sand.
Some sweet moments with my baby boy during his first moments at the beach.
Daddy's boys
Everyone else. :)
Holden and his Aunt Allie, who he will introduce to people as, "My best friend, Allie." He adores her! Love how these turned out of them on the beach.
Hunter and his Pepaw
My big boy chasing the seagulls
Holden's feet next to mine. Sweetness.
I think these pics of Holden in the setting sun are so neat! He was dancing for joy by the water. 
And thus ends the first post of many...as the sun sets over the water and dunes.
Sigh. Wish I was back in this moment.
Jay's parents and sister, Allie, were also driving close behind us. We all agreed to stop for dinner together, and wanted to wait until we got a few more miles behind us so it was a little later than the boys usually eat. Hunter finally resorted to chewing on his toes, which cracked Holden up!! He did not believe me when I told him he used to do the same thing. :) 
Oh, how I love the blue skies, palm trees, beach scenery, and the warm sun! When we arrive in Florida from Illinois, the difference in the two places in March reminds me a bit of Dorothy stepping out of her house and saying, "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto."
Love this one: so typical of Holden. Just floatin' along with his wings on, not a care in the world.
Hunter was so small last summer that he hasn't really experienced the outdoors when it is not winter, other than being covered in the shade. He was a big fan!
The beach was everything Holden had been waiting for. He LOVED it! Loved the sand, running by the waves to get his feet wet and then squealing and running out, finding shells, running after seagulls, you name it. He is such an outdoors boy. I thought he looked so cute in his little red baseball cap, running along the shore and digging around in the sand.
1 comment:
It worked! YAY!!! I love all the pics, seriously! Kinda getting teary eyed for some reason! :) Great photography. I can't wait until we can go somewhere for spring break!!! Oh the anticipation!
Post a Comment