Florida Vacation!!

We're home...finally!  (More about that later).  Anyway, we had a great trip and I am so proud of how well Ethan did traveling!
We started off bright and early last Thursday morning.  Libby and Josh were gracious enough to put us up for the night and watch Max for us while we were gone.  Thanks guys! 
Here we are on the shuttle from the parking garage to the airport (at about 5:45 am).  Ethan thought riding the bus was really cool!

Just having some fun on the airplane!  We had 2 flights both ways so both were fairly short (which was nice).  Ethan loved looking at all the guys outside the plane working and driving around, he asked where they went after we got in the air. 

Airplane #1- Snuggling with Abby

Airplane #2- Naptime

After we got to Ft. Walton Beach and got our rental car we headed to the condo.  My cousin, Micah and Kacey were vacationing about an hour from where we were and they drove over to meet up with us for some swimming and dinner. 

Finely and Abby getting ready for some sun

All ready for the sun!

Ethan and Finley

Grouper sandwiches all around...pretty much.  We went out to dinner with the Puricelli clan to a really great outdoor seafood restraurant on the water. 

Scout and Ethan

The Whole Group (minus my dad, he had gone to pick up Tyler)

After dinner we played outside on a boat and then headed back to the condo for some playtime.

Ringing the bell

Jump!

Sitting on the boat steps

Tyler and Ethan

Scout very proud of covering Ethan up

Day 1: 1st full day
Jim and Shannon weren't there yet since Jim was still working.  But would be in around noon.  My dad had gone to get Tyler the night before so we all suited up and headed to the beach.  Ethan loves the sand (I wasn't worried though, due to his love of dirt). 

Almost there

Digging in the sand

Exfoliation by sand

More digging

Ocean fun with Daddy, Pop and Tyler

We also had access to a splash park that was by the beach (a nice way to rinse off)

After beach time we headed back to the condo for lunch and rest/naptime.  Then more cousin playing!

Josiah (or 'Go-siah) and Ethan

Relaxing on the balcony

Pop and Paige

Crazy Kids...Piling the pillows on top of each other and loving it!

Day 2:  More sun and water fun!  And Birthday party for Paige (she turns 5 on June 14)

Ready to go!

Football under the waterfall

Cookie decorating time

'My do it!'

Birthday Princess!

Later that evening Abby wanted to photograph the sunset, so we took a walk and had some fun taking pictures.

Beautiful!

Our Growing Family

Day 3:  More sun and pool fun.  And goodbye to Grandma & Pop and Jim, Shannon, Tyler, Paige and Josiah.

My parents drove out so they were planning on heading back on Sunday afternoon and finishing the drive on Monday.  Jim and family were also needing to head out Sunday afternoon.  Our flight didn't leave until Monday, so we had the rest of the afternoon/evening to fend for ourselves.

He loved jumping into the water (I think he really wanted to do it by himself)

Jim, Shannon, Paige and Josiah on the lazy river

Ethan and Josiah getting ready for some lazy river action

Cute kids!  Paige (almost 5), Tyler (almost 12), Ethan (almost 2), Josiah (3)

That evening we cleaned up and headed out to dinner and then found a little boardwalk area to check out.

We found a train to ride

Going for a train ride

Feeding the fish

Day 4: The day we thought we would be home.
We got up on Monday, got our things together and checked out of the condo.  After we got to the airport and turned our rental car in we were informed that our flight was delayed, making us miss our connecting flight in Atlanta.  While we were trying to figure out what to do, we were informed again that our flight was canceled all together.  We were given food, taxi and hotel vouchers for that night and told to come back on Tuesday for the same flight times.  So, we tried to make the best of it.  After finding a place to stay, eating lunch and renting another car, we headed out.  Abby found a Science Center that was about 25 minutes away so we went there.  It was small, but perfect for Ethan.  And we were the only ones there!


Blocks



Big bubbles!

Little Bubbles

Since the Science Center was about half way between our hotel and Jim and Shannons house, we decided to head out to see them and order some pizza.  It was a nice evening and I'm kind of glad for our 'bonus' vacation day!

Comparing their Cardinal birds

Paige and Josiah with their new cat

Our travel day home went better than I expected.  I didn't really expect much, actually.  Our first flight out of Florida was delayed again and we barley made our connecting flight in Atlanta...but we made it!  It was a great trip and no one turned into a lobster...that's a plus!  Thanks for making it to the end of this massive post!