Thursday, February 14, 2013

FLORIDA!!!!

A little Valentine gift for those annoying family members who can’t get enough of this blog!

I’m just a little late at this blog, but three weeks ago the boys and I took a trip home to FLORIDA!!!  It was originally going to be a family thing first last November and then got moved to January.  B ended up not being able to go so I had the privilege to fly solo with the boys.  And yes, it was as much fun as it sounds.  And Mommy might have forgotten her wallet at home and caused us to just barely make our flight.  Oops!

We were all glad to land!

 

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Briggs LOVED chasing Grams and Pops’ “meows” around the house.

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And they got to take a trip to the most amazing grocery store in the world!!!

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Friday we went up to the Hyatt so Grams could show off her babies.  Before we left I took Ben up to the 18th floor so he could see the view.  I pointed to Disney and told him that’s where Mickey lived.  He said, “Mickey’s clummouse?” Loved it!

Afterwards we went to Gatorland Zoo which was surprisingly not nearly as white trashy as I remembered.  All Ben wanted to do was feed the damn gators. 

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Ben now thinks that gators only eat hotdogs.

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This made me laugh

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Grams is a sucker and bought all the pricy pictures.  We haven’t another one with a snake around her neck, but Ben flat out refused to be in that pic.  Briggs enjoyed poking this little gator as I held it.

Saturday we went to Sea World.  Our sweet friends, the Swillies, just moved from Frisco to Jacksonville and they drove down to meet us there.  Ben was SUPER excited to see Connor (they went to school together).

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Ben started the day in one serious mood.  Not a happy mommy!

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But it changed once he saw Connor!

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This roller coaster wasn’t working, but the boys LOVED watching the empty cars go down while Megan and I enjoyed the roller coasters that did work!

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And I got my little guy on his first roller coaster (by bribing him of course).  I LOVE his face.  He loved it!!!

 

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We fed stingrays and dolphins (both of which Ben was totally freaked out by)

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The Shamu show was so much better when they could swim with the whales.

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We even fed the sharks!

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And this is what it looked like when we had to leave.  It was a very pleasant walk out of the park and back to the car!

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That evening Brandy and her girls came over for dinner.  It was fun to watch the kids play together.  We were SUPER close growing up.  And Briggs and Madison are exactly one year apart.  Abi is 10 months older than Ben.

The next day we drove to Grammy and Pal’s house in Venice where we enjoyed another couple days of doing nothing, but relaxing and playing!!!

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B loved this picture!  Briggs was very interested in what Grams was doing to her nails!

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Monday we went to Venice Beach so Briggs could put his toes in the water for the first time.  The kid LOVED it.  Tried to go right in and even tried drinking the water.  The boys had so much fun we decided to go the next day and wear suits.

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Briggs was SOAKED from playing in the water!

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Even the little chicken managed to play in the water a little!

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One of the highlights of the trip for me was getting to sleep next to this guy every night.  Except he snores like an old man.  It’s AWFUL!!!  I tried ear plugs, but they bugged me so I put the kid in the closet once he fell asleep.  Mom of the year!

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Tuesday we drove up to my favorite beach, Siesta Key.  It’s also B’s favorite.  We were prepared this time with bathing suits!

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Briggs has NO fear of the water.  I spent most of the time trying to catch him before he went in too far.  A wave would knock him over and he’d just get up and go again.  Thankful that swim lessons have now been scheduled and prepaid!!  He is ready!!!

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Someone got a little tired

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For some reason I am missing a bunch of pictures?  Hmmm?  Wednesday we packed up to leave, but stopped for some shopping and lunch first.

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Can you guess who was trying not to cry here???

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The boys loved these statues that lined the street.

We had such a nice time in Venice.  Just relaxing and fun.  Ben calls it Grammy’s “white house” (as opposed to the “blue house” in Wisconsin). 

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Despite what the pictures show, we did see Pops.  He had to work a lot while we were there.  I’m missing some of the cute pics we took of the boys with him.  They must be on the ipad???

We stayed another night at Grams and Pops’ before flying back.  It was just the nicest, most relaxing trip (with the exception of someone’s snoring).  And I LOVED having Grams off of work the whole time!!!  I can’t wait to go back in November with B and this time take the boys to Mickey’s clummouse!!!

Monday, February 4, 2013

Saturday afternoon fun

(A little something until I get the Florida post up...)

Ben started soccer last week (post to come) so bill took him to the filed across the street to practice. We practiced, played tag and superheroes and just enjoyed the beautiful day!

Love our little family!!!















Sunday, January 20, 2013

Christmas with Boots and Gramma

Almost 4 weeks later, we finally had our Christmas with Boots and Gramma. It was, like always, a short visit, but a super fun one! Unfortunately they got here just as the boys were hit with a nasty cold. Ben perked up eventually, but all yesterday just wasn't 100%.
The winter weather decided to leave us and beautiful warm weather let us play outside. The boys loved their gifts and loved playing with gramma and boots even more :)





Sunday, January 13, 2013

Christmas 2012

Yes, yes, Christmas was awhile ago and I’m a little late at this post. 

Christmas was MAGICAL with these two boys.  Just so much fun from beginning to end!

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The boys helped decorate the cookies for Santa…

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this is how Briggs decorated (our red icing turned a little pink…oops)

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pastel colored cookies for Santa

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I LOVED the boys’ Christmas jammies this year!  They did too!

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And I totally had “naughty” and “nice” embroidered on their bums!

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I took Ben to the store Christmas Eve to pick out a present for Briggs.  He even helped me wrap it. 

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and signed the card

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Santa had set up a big castle of bricks and Briggs couldn’t wait to knock it down!  Ben saw a toy in the back that Santa brought and just leaped over everything else to get it.

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Someone was very excited about a certain toy

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While we were out getting Briggs’ gift, Ben saw Avengers boxers that he HAD to get Daddy.  He was super excited to give them to him.

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Helping Briggs open his present

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How cute is this Smile (it was The Little People pirate ship)

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sometimes in the midst of Christmas chaos you just need a snuggle with Daddy…awwww!

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the “after”

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And then like magic it started snowing on Christmas!!!  SOOO FUN!

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This little guy loved it!  His brother-not so much!

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Nothing prettier than a house covered in snow!

The boys played with their toys non stop the rest of the day.  Ben didn’t even ask for the tv to go on once! 

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The next day Daddy had to work in the morning, but came home at lunch and took Ben out for a snowball fight.  Ben was THRILLED!!!

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They stayed out for a good hour having a blast.  Then came home and had some hot cocoa.

Ben went to bed asking if Christmas was happening again the next day.  A couple weeks later he’s still asking Smile