We just got home last night at midnight from an AMAZING trip to Florida thanks to my Dad and Drea. Nearly 2 weeks of non-stop fun in the sun! Trip highlights included Uncle Chad’s wedding, a surprise stop at Disney World, swimming at the beach, boat rides and so much more.
I will take the next few days to share photos of our grand adventure. Bear with me though, I took 1200-some photos over the 2 weeks and am still trying to get caught up on bills, mail, phone messages, laundry and unpacking in addition to weeding through said photos. Not to mention our cupboards are BARE and I need to make and menu and go grocery shopping.
Check out this table I had Dale set up in our room the week before our trip:
This is where I packed us. You are going to be so proud of me, out of all these choices, in the end, I only took 2 suitcases and 2 carry on bags for the 6 of us for 2 weeks, thankyouverymuch! (However, I did have to bring an entire extra suitcase home thanks to some new birthday gifts and clothing bargains. Too bad the airlines charge $25 a bag, that ticks me off!)
We got up at 3 am the morning we left. I was not sure what I was thinking, booking that early of a flight, but there are limited choices out of our small town. The other flight option put us arriving at 10 pm and blowing the whole first day, so I took a chance that our kids could handle it, and you know what?
They did AWESOME!
Avery says “Thumbs up!”
Pax napped on a bed pillow across my knees both flights like a little champ. (*Note to you traveling Momma’s, this is my FAVORITE airplane travel tip: Take a bed pillow along! It frees your hands up to help the other kids or read a book. Baby sleeps much more peacefully because they are not hot and sweaty in your arms.)
The other kids played and colored flight #1, did great during our 1 1/2 hour layover in Atlanta and watched a movie flight #2. (reason number 1001 to limit daily TV, it’s a special treat and they didn’t MOVE a MUSCLE during this 2 hour flight!)
Apparently tray tables are super fascinating as well.
We arrived right on time to sunny Florida. Papa and Drea aren’t equipped for 6 extras in their sporty vehicles, so Papa picked us up in their coach. The kids thought that was super awesome!
Thoughtful Drea loaded the fridge with lunch fixin’s so we were able to eat sandwiches while we drove the hour to their home. Check out the view!
Our fearless driver, Papa:
We traveled nice and comfy on the recliner front seat! 🙂
First thing on the agenda when we got to the house? Unpack, then a dip in the pool.
Traveling is such hard work, everyone was wiped! Pax got sleepy early, so it was off to bed for him well before the sun went down!
The other kids needed to get to bed too, but first? A game with Papa.
Then, hanging around the pool with Drea and a lizard visit.
Avery says “Bleh.”
Destiny caught the teeniest little lizard! Somehow during his release back into the wild, the kids accidentally made his tail fall off. Oops! Poor lizard, good thing it grows back. It totally thrashed around and made everyone grossed out, long after the baby lizard ran away to nurse its wounds!
NOW is it bedtime? 3 am was a LONG time ago!!!!
Nope, the kids are still going strong. So, how about a quick round of “Golf” out back.
Oh well, we are on vacation, what can it hurt? But only for a little bit then it’s off to bed, Mr. Sunshine is on his way to bed too!
There is so much more to share, and I am sorry to leave you before I even get started with this trip, but this is as far as I got on the editing for today.
Come see me tomorrow! 🙂 I promise this won’t be like those boring hour-long click and whir slide shows of yester-year.
There are lots of fun photos to come!!!
~T
4 little Fergusons 