Trip to Florida

Last week we got back from our week-long vacation in Bonita Springs, Florida visiting my dad and stepmom. I finally caught up around the house and am now catching up on my blog.

We had a great time and the weather was beautiful (high 70s, low 80s everyday). It was so nice to get a break from the Michigan winter! We went to the pool almost everyday and did lots of other fun things....the kids had a blast:

The boys loved jumping into the pool together

Lydia hanging out by the pool

Ethan playing putt putt...one of his
favorite things to do!

Lydia and Pap at the mini golf course

Ethan and Lydia playing at the play area at
the Miramar Outlets...she climbed up on the
turtle and lifted her hands in the air like, "I did it!"

Lydia's first (very) little pigtails!

Ethan, Lydia, and Nolan ready for
our Valentine's dinner

The first day we were in Florida we went to the Everglades Wonder Gardens. They had a lot of native animals to Florida and, of course, a ton of alligators! The kids were even able to pet a baby alligator (Lydia too!):

Mommy, Nolan, and Nana by the alligators
Lydia petting the baby alligator

Ethan petting the baby alligator

Nolan petting the baby alligator

Daddy and Nolan taking a break between animals...
look at all the alligators behind them!

We spent an afternoon at Barefoot Beach. It was gorgeous...the sand was so fine and soft. It was so nice to walk on and the kids had a great time playing in it. Lydia was my first baby to not be (initially) freaked out by the sand. She ran her hands through it, poured it on herself, and even tried eating it. Ethan enjoyed collecting shells (way too many to bring home!) and Nolan drove his monster trucks through the track that James made for him. We had to cut the visit a little short because there was a weird mist that settled right on the beach. You couldn't see down the beach very far at all. It was a clear, beautiful day and all of the sudden the mist came in.

Nana and Lydia "walking" on the beach

Pap, Ethan, Nolan, and Daddy playing in the water

Lydia playing in the sand

Nolan wasn't too sure of the beach at first....it always takes him a while to get used to things. He's been to the beach many times before, but he was still a little nervous about it. He eventually settled in, but still wouldn't touch the water!