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.

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.