A little bit of Paradise - Florida 2011

So we packed up and headed out to beautiful Florida for a week of fun in the sun! We have been anticipating this trip for so long and with all of the rain and gray skies in Indy, we were more than ready! I have to admit that I was a little nervous this year. First, we were driving. That made me a little anxious just because I wasn't sure how the boys would do - but - they did great! I sent many thank yous to our friends David (for the DVD player) and Deb (for the movies and the doodle pad!) We stopped in Alabama on the way down, which made for a great break. I was also a little nervous because we were venturing back to Panama City Beach - and we had not visited since our high school spring break in 1998. As you can imagine - I didn't really want my children to witness all that I had witnessed in 1998!!! Lets just say that things have changed...for the better...and it wasn't spring break either; which probably really helped!

We stayed at an amazing resort.  The facility had two pools, a lazy river, a toddler splash park and a water park.  It also had a bar, arcade, hot-tub and it was on the beach.  As you can imagine, it was a paradise for children. Here are a few pictures of the boys enjoying everything Florida had to offer! 

Drew and Conner both loved to play in the sand.  The great thing about driving down was that we were able to pack all of their sand toys.  They had a blast and built 10 sandcastles, 3 pizzas and 1 dolphin.  They were only told to stop throwing sand 132 times.  Not too bad!

Both boys also loved the ocean.  The first few days, a front was moving through so the waves were huge.  Then after the front, the water was perfect to play in and you could see down past your toes!

Conner loved learning to ride his "wake board"! 

Here are a few pictures of Conner and Drew enjoying the water park!

I love going on vacation with our family because it is a week full of just us - no work, no phone calls, no chores, no "to-do" lists.  It is amazing regroup and to really take in each person.  I loved watching Conner and Drew and how they interact and how their personalities are so unique.  Each day we woke up between 5 and 6 (no more sleeping in on vacation, right?).  We got up, ate breakfast, got our sunscreen on and headed down to the beach.  As you can imagine - we were the first ones out each and every day.  As the beach filled up, it was time for Drew's nap.  Then after lunch we headed back out before the boys' afternoon nap.  I got to read a "fun" book and Jason soaked up the sun and went to all the local surf shops.

This picture perfectly shows Conner's personality.  He is very confident yet shy.  He ALWAYS has this smile on his face when he is talking to someone.  He loves anything and everything camo.  He loves people and loves to use his imagination. 

The boys at the Florida zoo.  Yes, that's a wolf and yes I was nervous he thought Drew was his dinner!

Panama City itself now really caters to families.  The restaurants, parks and shopping centers all of tons of activities for kids.  I definitely think we will be going back next year!