We went to Florida for a couple of weeks around Thanksgving. We did our usual drive all night but we stopped in St. Augustine for a few hours on the way. We had to pick up my sister, Suzy in Tampa that evening so we had some time to waste. Both of my sisters came for the weekend to surprise my parents for my Dad's birthday. Anyway, my cousin Derek and his family live in St. Augustine so we stopped to visit. We got into town about 5:30 am and slept in the car for a little bit until the sun came up. To make Maddox happy I chose to sleep in the lighthouse parking lot so when she woke up we could go see it. She loves lighthouses.
Now that our car is full with another child Jessi has to sleep on the floor. Need that minivan!
My parents were VERY surprised to see my sisters. We showed up at their choir practice at church and walked down the aisle with balloons singing "Happy Birthday". They only stayed for a 3 days so we spent one whole day at the condo/beach before they left. This is Jennifer and Suzy (with Hadlee) below.
Daddy and Maddox are watching the beautiful sunset hoping to see the green flash.
Jessi really loved swimming on this trip. She took no coaxing to get into the water. She would just jump in anytime we swam and fetch her ball or just follow us around the pool. I tried to teach her to run and jump in off the side, which she got better at, but is not at all good at yet.
Grammy bought Hadlee and Maddox new matching Christmas nightgowns.
My Dad had his 70th birthday party while I was there and I was walking in and out putting drinks on the table. Maddox said "Mommy, who's this?" I said, "I don't know her name. Why don't you ask her? She looks sad." "Why is she sad Mommy?" "Maybe you should talk her and find out," I said. So I went back inside and watched through the window as Maddox stood there and talked to the statue for about 10 minutes asking her what was wrong and giving her a hug. Pretty cute!
After Dad's party at the house the four of us went to stay at the condo for 5 nights. The weather was perfect and warm for the whole trip. In the 80s everyday. We'd walk on the beach in the morning and find critters. I'd find something living and show it to Maddox, explaining to her in simple terms what kind of animal it was. Then she'd run off saying "Find me another animal Mommy!" We found starfish, horseshoe crabs, FL conchs with mussels in them, crabs, olive shells with mussels, fish, and birds to name a few. She loves the critters on the beach!
Now that Hadlee is sitting up pretty well she got to swim in the ring and loved floating around. Her chunky little legs never stopped furiously kicking. Kind of like when she was in my tummy.
Maddox did really well swimming and trying new things. She's been jumping off the side before but I had to get a picture of it. She stuck her face in and blew bubbles and by the end of the trip was pushing off the steps to swim to Jeremy or I. We weren't but about 4 feet away, but she was brave enough to do it and go under a little bit when she did.
Thanksgiving morning we did a Turkey Trot like we do every year, it was just in FL this year. Jeremy ran the 5K in 18:31 and won his age division. Dad and I walked the 5K (which was a separate event at the same time) and Dad came in 3rd in his age division in 44+ mins. I officially came in 4th in my age group, but really came in 2nd if you would actually go by the chip time (why they didn't I don't know) and kick out the girl who "walked" a 5K in 26 minutes. I pushed Dad hard and made him walk pretty fast. I was beginning to wonder if I would have to leave him lying on the course. He did great!
Then Maddox did the Tot Trot but made me do it with her (she's the tiny one in the pink). She got a ribbon and tee for it and was very proud.
All the award recipients with their medals and ribbons (plus a sleeping Hadlee).
Grammy got Maddox this wagon with beach toys in it and she would pull it all the way out of the condo, across the street, and to the beach everyday all by herself. She loved that wagon.
And finally just some random cute pictures on our last day at my parents house.
We left Tuesday night, drove all night long and got home mid-morning on Wednesday. We were all so sleepy, even though the girls slept through the night until about 7am in the car. We were also cold! It's hard to leave 80 degrees and come home to 40! Brrrr!
Another great family vacation!
