The Sunshine State

Our long anticipated vacation to Florida has come and gone and it was a blast!  The kids were excited to have their backpacks filled with treats and surprises (p.s.--found these pottery barn backpacks at the downeast clearance center for $7 and $12 dollars--Kennedy's was more cause it had wheels....)  I had been dreading the flight there for months, but it wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be.  I find myself getting more nervous on airplanes the older I am (or maybe it's the more kids I have?)  I find myself rationalizing in my head every bump and dip the airplane makes....planes are way safer than cars, right?  It did help to have Charlotte on my lap during those times, she was so wiggly that I couldn't tell the difference at times between her jumping on my lap and the plane bouncing in the air!

The last time we rode on a plane together as a family was the summer of 2009.  Bridger FREAKED out!  Poor guy!  He thought the plane was going to crash.  It didn't help that we were on board with a large group of hyper high school kids.  And after the plane made a big drop in the air, one of them shouted "we're all going to die!".... So, I was extra nervous for him.  However, he did great. 

He was a little nervous when the plane first took off.  Jeremy had to hold his hand and Bridger was slumped down in his seat as far as he could go!  Kennedy desperately wanted to hold his hand and finally Bridger let her.  She rubbed his arm, and was being really sweet until she let go unexpectedly (she is a tease!)  Bridger said "Kennedy!  You have to keep holding my hand!  If you don't, I feel like I'll just fall right out of the airplane!"  To comfort him, she said "But, Bridger--just pretend like we're going to the moon."

It didn't work.  But he did loosen up once the plane leveled and was fine after that. 

Charlotte on the other hand.

She may be cute, but this is what she looked like during our 4.5 hours in the air.  Yes, she was  blur.  She slept a total of 35 minutes.  Not nearly long enough!  What did I do to stop her from screaming the entire time, you ask?  I fed her.  A lot.  Cheerios, cheese, crackers, baby granola bars, baby mum mums, apple juice, yogurt, baby food, fruit.  You name it, she ate it.  This girl eats nonstop!  She must have a mega metabolism (probably from her dad...)!  Meanwhile, I burned over 3,000 calories trying to keep her happy.  It all worked out in the end.  She was happy (enough) and I prepared myself to eat 2 gallons of Blue Bell Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream. 

My parents met us at the airport, we had our pictures taken with Mickey and Snow White and we were off to Ocala.

Have I mentioned yet that it was 75 degrees there?  I try not to think about it now, but it was a delightful break from my Utah January!  The next morning, we went to the park. 

The kids climbed trees...

Rode the merry-go-round with Grammy...

And Jer and I tested out our skills on this thing...whatever it's called.  Can I just say that my arms were sore for two days after this?  I may have freakish strength, but I'm not so good at endurance!

Charlotte LOVES being outside!  She always has.  Even as a tiny baby, the wind never bothered her.  She sat in this swing for a long time with this pleasant little grin on her face.  Doesn't she have the smiliest eyes?  I think so too :)