Spring Break 2016

We headed back to Florida for Spring Break 2016 (aka the best family trip we have taken to date)!  The weather is sunny Florida was just that and the heat and sunshine did us all a little good.  It was the first trip we have even taken just us and it was so nice to enjoy our family of four.  Every night I went to bed feeling so blessed and lucky for all that I have.

Mason spent most of the trip in the pool, some time at the beach eating green slushies and more ice cream then I would like to admit.  Ava on the other hand, had a love hate relationship with the pool.  She wanted to be in it but once she was she wanted out.  In her defense, there isn't much out there as far as flotation devices for toddlers that weight 20 pounds (I will be on the hunt for something for the summer though).  Ava did love playing out on the lanai, taking a shower for the first time and seeing all the people around walking their dogs.  Both kids enjoyed shedding the many layers needed during Spring in Chicago and so did I.

 

Pool time fun!

Most of Matt's family lives in Florida so they were able to take some time to come visit.  We had a great sushi dinner and checked out a great farmers market the next day.  Mason especially loved having the house full of people and preforming for everyone.  Mike and Mary got a new little puppy and both kids couldn't keep their eyes of him.  It was nice that we were able to coordinate the visit and let everyone catch up and play with the kiddos.

Clearly, an amazing trip! The trip was the perfect amount of time as we all seemed to be dragging a little bit towards the end. We are already chatting about going back which is a true sign of a successful trip.

My Happy Place {Florida Trip 2015/2016}

1st Plan ride with 2 kids!

December 31, 2015 marks the first time we flew with 2 kids!  We woke the kids up too early to head south for some warmer temps and R&R.  The trip was fairly uneventful and when we landed the sun was shining bright.  The first day left Matt and I exhausted; we unpacked, went to the store, I took Mase to the pool (once I realized a nap wasn't happening) and started getting the house situated for 2 kiddos.  We made it through the hard day and we were both dreaming of the days ahead when our heads hit the pillow at 8:30 pm.

If you don't know, Florida is my happy place.  I love it there and apparently so does Mason. He adjusted well and didn't want to leave after being there for 2 weeks.

Despite everyone getting sick and staying sick on the trip it was so fun. Vacations don't really exist with two little kids. It's more like parenting in warmer weather and I'll take that. Chicago winters can be long so venturing out sans layers is a dream come true.

Some of the highlights of our trip were checking out the Wonder Garden, Naples  Children's Museum, the beach and the farmer's market. Oh and Mason's favorite swimming when the weather was warm enough. Overall, we had a successful trip and are all dreaming of going back. 

Naples Children's Museum, a huge hit with Mason!

Enjoying the sunset on the beach

Till next timeFlorida!  

Brutal

Brutal is the only word to describe the kind of weather we are having. I shouldn't be complaining considering we have only been home since Sunday.  With the dangerously cold temps it seems senseless to bundle up and take Mason out just to run an errand.  I'm hoping we missed the worst of it since Mason and I spent almost an entire month in sunny Florida. I would take their 60 degree temps over these below freezing days any time. In fact, mom and I decided to extend our stay to keep Mason in the warmth as long as possible. So, while we fill our days with visits from Nana, Papa & Aunt Mia as much as possible. Think of Mason and I at home literally making a mess by playing with everything and anything. Spring can't come fast enough.

Florida trip:

Our annual Florida trip was fabulous; I say that now looking back at it. Like I've said in the past; vacations aren't really a vacation anymore. I was just blessed with being able to be a mom in a much warmer climate. The large open floor plan, limited baby proofing stock at Target and some bloody falls made for a stressful beginning. However, once we all got in the swing of things we were able to relax a bit. Our trip was filled with family dinners in, movies, games and lots of fun. It was so nice to be able to share Mason with everybody and watch him interact and learn from others. We even had the pleasure of getting a visit from Grandma Jean and Uncle Mike; they were able to get a taste of our days of chasing after Mason.
While we were away Mason's love for cars and trucks increased.  He found a new love: fountains (this made walks and shopping more fun for him).  He also managed to make friends with all the neighborhood dogs.  He enjoyed petting them and saying "hello dogie" "bye bye dogie." Mason also found a new favorite food, ice cream (I don't have any pictures of him enjoying a scoop because it would be gone in a blink of an eye).

Here are a some pictures of our fun times; as you can see we spent as much time outside as possible.

Mason & Papa at the outlet mall

Mason's first day back in the pool!  Clearly, he is our little fish.

We brought down one of his Christmas gifts.  He would have mowed the lawn all day long if we let him.  Pretty sure the people who live below us weren't too thrilled. 

At the park but playing with a cup.

Heading out for a walk with his Monkey & toothpaste.

Mommy & Mason wearing glasses.

Playing with Nana at the Napes Children's Museum.

Loving all the Florida fruit.

;

Ringing in the New Year; Welcome 2013!

Every year my family and I head to Florida between Christmas and New Years; it is one of my favorite places on earth! Over the years Matt has become very fond of the trip as well; hello he can get some extra golf games in before the end of the year.  When we found out we were expecting we both decided we were going to book our flight down there as usual and if all went well I would stay a few extra days with mom and the baby.  So, on Friday December 28th Mason took the his first plane ride as we headed down to FL.  It so happened that mom, Mia and I were pretty sick for the flight, so in that regard it was miserable.  However, Mason was a champ!

This trip was similar to years past but yet so different (I didn't even bring a book down there to occupy my time, knowing that Mason would do a good job of that).  I'm not going to lie; between being sick and adjusting to "vacation" with a baby it took me awhile to relax.  The lesson I learned here is that mommies don't get a vacation; however I much appreciated being a mom in the warm FL weather (not having to bundle him up was a huge plus).  One of the more special aspects of our trip was that Mason got to meet his Aunt Megan!  Megan, lives in Orlando and took the drive to come see us and hang with Mase Man.  We all truly enjoyed our visit with Megan and Dave and so look forward to seeing them again soon at their wedding in May.

Mason with Aunt Megan

We have one family tradition on our annual trip to FL and that is outlet mall shopping New Years Day! Dad had a plan and boy did it work....while we all speed shopped Dad held Mason the entire time (I'm talking hours).  Mason may look small but that isn't the case... Dad is still recovering from holding our 15 plus pound 3 month old.  The shopping trip was a success mainly for Mason because were able to pick up some really cute outfits for him.

While on our trip we took Mason swimming!  Not only he is the cutest pool bound baby I've ever seen but he truly enjoyed the water.  My mom took him in the water and really got him to love kicking and floating around.  We also discovered that Mason loves being outside; we took lots of walks while we were done there; I'm pretty sure he is missing those walks now.  Just not that doable in the cold Chicago weather. 

Worn out after a few minutes in the pool

Mom and Dad watched Mason while Mia, Marc, Matt and I went to dinner and to play some mini golf!  It was great to go on a double date with my sister and have some adult time!

Sisters

I really got spoiled while I was in FL; having so many extra hands was nice!  They aren't kidding when they say "it takes a village." I really didn't want to come home but I wasn't so sure I was up for the challenge of flying with Mason alone (more so handling all the equipment the little guy comes with).  I feel extremely lucky to have had the time down in FL, for my parents and sister for all their help and for my husband who allowed me to stay down there without him. Next year I plan to stay the entire month of January and I'm hoping some of my friends come take the trip down to hang in the sunny FL weather.

Mase and Aunt Mia

Morning sunshine!

The last couple years have been VERY busy for us; wedding, baby, move and job change!  We will look back on 2012 with fond memories but we are hoping to slow down a bit in 2013 and enjoy each other and Mason as well as get settled in our new house.