Florida 2012

A few weeks ago we took a family vacation to Florida.  We decided to drive since it was about 1/4 of the cost of flying and we would have a car that fit us all while we were there.  The 29 hour drive was pretty uneventful.  We picked Blake up in Dallas and decided to drive the rest of the way there that day because the kids (Billy) didn't do so well in the hotel the night before.  So when we got there at 10 am the next morning we were pretty tired and ready to just hand the kids over and sleep!  Mikey and James were really excited to be at Grammy and Grandad's though.  James pretty much immediately got his swimsuit on and jumped in the pool, and basically didn't get out until two weeks later when it was time to leave.

James, Michael and Billy swimming in the pool

I think this is the happiest I saw Mikey in the water the entire time

They also quickly discovered Grammy's treadmill and it became a source of entertainment when swimming was not allowed.


On Monday after we got there Doug and I left the kids with Grammy and Grandad and went on a cruise.  It was something we both definitely needed and very enjoyable.  Except for the day I got seasick.  While we were gone the boys had some swimming lessons, that didn't really work because Michael wouldn't get in the water and James wouldn't take off his life jacket.  But the rest of the time we were there James kept pretending he was at swim lessons.  They also got to see the sea turtles and swim to their hearts content (ok maybe not that much, I don't think James would ever stop swimming if we didn't make him).
On Friday Grammy, Uncle Blake and the boys picked us up at the pier.  James and Billy were so excited to see us.  Michael had conflicting emotions and didn't know how to deal with it.  He was happy to see us but mad at us for leaving.  So we got the silent treatment for awhile.  After they picked us up we went to my favorite place, Robert is Here.  It is just like a fruit stand with all different kinds of fruits.  Mikey and Billy LOVED the mangos they had to sample.  They also had a petting zoo and a splash park so the boys loved it too.  We got to try Dragon Fruit this time, it was really interesting and Mikey practically ate the entire thing.
Saturday we spent the day mostly on the water.  Grandad was home from work so we took the "water scooters" (wave runners) out for some fun.  James didn't like it too much.  Mikey was too much of a wimp to get on until I forced him, then he loved it, and Billy fell asleep.  

James was pretending to ski behind the wave runners

In the afternoon the boys went golfing and found a little turtle, I didn't get a good picture of it, but Mikey loved his "black turtle" and had to ask about it every morning.  Although he never wanted to touch it.

Mikey and his black turtle

That night after the boys were asleep we got a baby sitter and went out for Sushi.  It was the best sushi I have ever had.  The we went for a walk on the beach and while we were standing by the water just talking a couple came over and asked if we wanted to watch a sea turtle laying eggs.  So we went over to watch, didn't see much she was still trying to dig and they said it could take an hour or more so we decided not to stay to see her finish.  

Sunday afternoon we took a walk to the beach.  James hated Sundays because no swimming, but he did really well staying out of the water.

James and Mikey going to the beach 

The boys loved the caves that the waves had made
out of the rocks

James in his cave

Helping Mikey find shells

Searching for more shells

Billy loved playing in the sand

Billy got buried, he loved it.

So Mikey and James wanted to get buried

Monday we just played in the water again. I think these pictures are out of order, but that is ok. 

Everyone else playing in the ocean

Mikey's first trip to the ocean, he wouldn't get near the water

James loved his "ski board" and had no
fear of the water

Grandad finally got Mikey in the water

Grandad putting Mikey to bed

After the ocean we always had to get right in the pool.  James usually spent at least 5 hours in the water every day.  He got really brave and had no problem getting his face wet.

Tuesday we went to Disney World.  It was so crowded.  After only a few hours James was ready to just go home and kept asking if we could go to the van.  We rode the cars at least 4 times, it was the boys favorite.  They also liked Buz Lightyear, the Jungle Cruise, The Laugh Floor, and Tom Sawyers Island.  

Dad and James driving the car

Mom and Mikey

The rest of the time we just spent at the beach and in the pool.  It was over all a very fun trip and the boys are begging to go back.

The dog hates thunder storms and will go sit on anyones lap
during one.  I just happened to be feeding Billy during
one and so Billy got to hold the dog while he ate.

Mikey trying on Grandad's snorkel equipment 

James headed out to catch some waves

He loved the ocean.

Billy also loved the beach

Dad giving Billy a ride

Friday we packed up to head home.  The plan was to only drive part of the way and stay in a hotel.  But about 10 pm came when we would have stopped and all the kids were asleep.  We decided that because they do so poorly in hotels if we stopped we would be getting much sleep anyway.  So we kept driving.  We said if we got too tired we would just pull over and sleep in the car, but we never had to.  The boys were pretty excited to be home, but James definitely misses the water.