Florida 2009

We are back from Florida and of course had a great time (except for missing Cam). Before we left, Gwen kept telling me she wasn't going to be sad about missing Daddy because she was going the be "the helper of feeling you better when you are crying at the beach Mommy." So cute! And although I did miss Cam, I was not crying at the beach: ) It was so great to be in the warmth, spend time with my family, relax, eat dinner out every night and enjoy the girls without the to-do-list I always seem to have at home. I was also able to get a glimpse of what it will be like taking two little kids to the beach this summer...a lot of work but totally fun! Life is so great when you can spend so much time outside. In a way, I'm very thankful for our winters because it really helps us appreciate the warmer weather.

So here we go...a BUNCH of pictures!

On the way down...we drove straight through (23 hours) and the girls did great.

At the beach...Sonja can't wear suntan lotion until she's 6 months, so she spent her time in the shade. She loved being down there in the breeze but she did get a little bored. She also had a few moments when I was trying to get her to fall asleep for her nap (which she doesn't do very well even if we aren't at the beach) where I felt like I was the annoying Mom with the screaming baby but she eventually fell asleep. It will be so much easier this summer when she is sitting more and can be in the sun more.

Can we say happy? This girl is always ready with a smile.

Gwen had a great time at the beach as well. She loved just sitting and playing in the sand with her bucket full of water and shovels. She also loved sitting at the edge of the water waiting for the waves to come and throwing shells and sand into the water. She did venture sort of reluctantly into the water and had fun jumping in the waves. But I couldn't convince her again. She learned quickly about salt water and the first time it splashed up into her mouth she said "Oooh, yuck!"

Gwen was very excited about having her toenails painted.

The first day there, we went for a walk before dinner and both girls were wiped out for the rest of the night before we got back. Going to the beach can be exhausting!

By the afternoon, we were usually hot at the beach so we would head to the pool. There was also some shade there so we could bring Sonja in the water for longer without feeling like she was going to get burnt. My cousin Anne and her boyfriend Pete were there for a couple days during the beginning of our trip. It was great to spend some time with them and Gwen loved being with them too.

Kicking as usual!

With Grandpa and Mor Mor

Playing cards and learning the disappearing penny trick with Great Grandpa Ray.

Gwen and "the grandpa's" went to a St. Patricks Day Parade and Gwen did not come back empty handed! She got about a dozen necklaces, a bracelet, a stuffed bear and a bunch of candy.

Matching ponytails :)

Playing at the park

Which one's the monkey?
Sisters

A Gwen shot

Laughing

In this picture, they were trying to convince a tired and crabby Gwen to come take a picture with them before we left. Sonja's ready!

And we weren't able to get her to do it :( I love this picture though!

Again, no Gwen.

Thanks so much for a great week Grandpa and Grandma and Mom and Dad. We had so much fun with you!