Our family took a family vacation Thanksgiving week to the Florida Keys and it was wonderful! We have been planning this trip with my whole family since last March and I've been looking forward to it ever since we booked the rental house!
Ryan and I left a day before the rest of my family- trying to give us a buffer day for traveling with Colin. Funny thing-- we missed our first flight. So what was supposed to be one easy flight, ended up being two flights and one long day. We made it to Miami late but enjoyed an upgraded suite with an ocean view. Colin was very interested in the ocean the next morning when the sun rose!
We enjoyed a great breakfast at a quaint little cafe and then headed for the Keys while Colin took a nap in the car. When we could finally pick up the keys for the house, we did and quickly got settled in to our new abode for the next week!
The first day- while my dad and Jaxon went fishing- the rest of us headed to Key West for a day on Duvall Street and the ocean. Ryan and Stephanie (my sister in law) went on a wave running tour of Key West while the rest of us went shopping and dining.
The first three full days of our trip had great weather- warm temperatures and lots of sun! So each day ended with time in the pool before dinner and the kids- Jaxon, Laura and Rose (and usually Ryan too!) took another swim at night with the lights going in the pool!
Maybe the cutest picture of my mom ever! Also note, I have not seen her in a pool since 1987! Only for her grandkids would she do this!
We grilled at the house on the first full night- and actually got coordinated for a group picture!
Rose, me, Colin, Ryan, my mom, my dad, Laura. Allison, David, Jaxon, Bryan, and Stephanie
Colin provided endless entertainment and was always available to play with whoever wanted to hang out with him. He loved breakfast in the morning and everyone watching him eat. He also loved being a big kid and sitting with his cousins. He loved being the center of attention-- I have a total ham on my hands!
The next day we went to the Dolphin Research Center (my dad and Jaxon were fishing again). Colin and Ryan got to meet the dolphins and my niece Rose had a dolphin paint a shirt for her. It was such a fun place- complete with a dolphin show, roaming iguanas, and a splash pad to cool down!
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Colin loved the dolphins and seal lions. Also an amazing note was that baby#2 could hear the dolphins and was kicking like crazy for me! My stomach was bouncing all over!
That afternoon my brother and sister in law took Rose and Laura to the beach-- how gorgeous are these girls?!
A nap was required for Colin and me and then we all met up at an adorable coffee, wine, and ice cream shop for an afternoon treat!
We all got out of the house for dinner at Sparky's that night- the best fish sandwich I've ever had! So yummy!
On Tuesday- Ryan, Stephanie, and Laura went snorkeling- or that was that plan. But wind and choppy water stopped that adventure and instead they hiked around an island and toured Indian Key.
While they were adventuring Colin got his first dip in the ocean!
He liked the water but didn't love the BIG waves. But he went in and splashed around and had fun. Unfortunately a kid swimming next to us got stung by a jellyfish and that ended our time in the water. No need to take a chance and get stung ourselves. Lunch, a nap, and pool time followed this fun day! And again my dad and Jaxon were fishing-- they could fish every day, all day!
We made it back to Key West for another day of shopping, tourist attractions, and lunch. Ryan, Colin, and I spent some time just the three of us- which was really nice to have. Colin passed out shortly after the Little White House on our way to the Southernmost Point.
I have the cutest boys!
And we made it to the Mile 0 mark! Colin opened his eyes for the picture but was fast asleep again shortly afterwards.
That evening my family graciously took Colin while Ryan and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. We went to Lazy Days for dinner- and we were so lazy we didn't take any pictures. But before we left for dinner, I did do the weekly bump picture with Colin.
And all four "kids" got together before the sun set.
Thursday was Thanksgiving. We mostly lounged around the house, went swimming (even though it was pretty windy) and then ordered in a turkey dinner with all the fixings. To be honest, it didn't feel like Thanksgiving- no cold weather, no snow, no grandparents (we missed them lots!), and no time with Ryan's family (we missed them too!). But it was nice to spend time with my family and truly relax.
While Rose tried to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving parade- Colin climbed all over her and then gave her love.
Thanksgiving with my little family.
My dad carving the turkey- just as he would at home!
My brother and his family and my sister and her family traveled home on Friday while my parents and Ryan, Colin and I stayed one more day. My dad and Ryan went fishing- without much luck for catching the sharks they were chasing. My mom and I took Colin to Theater of the Sea. He loved the sea lion show most. One last dinner at Sparky's and then lots of packing to get home again.
It was a great trip- full of wonderful memories! I'm so thankful we could do this trip before baby boy comes. I was thankful for good health to be able to travel and that Colin did so well on the plane. Traveling with a "baby" makes for a lot of extra luggage and a lot of extra worry but I'm thankful Colin didn't scream or cry- was just a really busy boy! I was also incredibly thankful for my family who played with and entertained Colin. He LOVES them and when we came home, I think he was bored- where were all the fun people? He was stuck with just mom and dad. We aren't as fun as his cousins- that's for sure! Since our trip, he can't stop pointing to pictures of family- he wants to see them all the time.
It will likely be a while before we take another trip-- two boys seems a little daunting to handle on an airplane or away from home. We'll see. But until then, I'm so thankful for this first family vacation- Florida Keys style!
