.Florida in a nutshell.

It's been about 2 weeks since we returned from Florida, and I haven't had the time or energy to really get down to blogging about it, so for that reason I'm going to do a short, but sweet sum up of our week in the south.

Monday-
This was our traveling day.  I had really no stress about the kids flying this time because they are both at a good age for traveling- i.e. Finn has a longer attention span to actually watch shows, and Meg is content to be held and nursed all the time. Besides almost missing our second flight out of Chicago because we stopped to get some pizza for lunch, the traveling went smoothly.  That is until we reached our rental car company.  Why does getting a rental car always take SOOOO long, and you always feel like you just signed away your life savings.  Needless to say the kids were tired, mom and dad were tired, and getting stuck in construction traffic took the last of our patience and energy.

remember that one time when we forgot to pack the pack n' play so meg had to sleep in a chair for a week?  good thing she's such a good baby

The kids were so wiped out, that they slept in until 8:30 the next morning...what?!?!?!

Tuesday-
Roy and I drove back into Orlando for Alli's Endowment session, while Grandma and Grandpa had the kids to themselves.

Roy, me, Ryan, Alli, Dani, & Robert

We got to spend a lot of time with Roy's brother Robert and his wife Dani that day.  I especially enjoy catching up with them and hearing Robert and Roy talk about their childhood, and I get along with Dani really well.  My favorite thing about talking with them is realizing that Roy and Robert are pretty much twins separated by 18 months.  It's a little uncanny how alike they are.

Wednesday-

Beach day!  We only had a few free days on this trip so we had to make sure to make it to the beach.  We always go to a beach on the Gulf side that is about an hour away.  It's small and uncrowded...perfect for kids.  Finn was in boy heaven with endless sand, water, and birds to chase.

 Roy made sure to bring lots of "tools" so him and Finn could build whatever

 Meg's first dip in the ocean...hello thighs!

 she was a bit nervous, but seriously curious about all the new textures

 Roy really enjoys throwing Finn

 The Hoffman's four

do you see the pure joy on that kids face?

Thursday-

It was another free day so we got out to see some old friends and drive around the places where Roy grew up.  It's one of our favorite things to do when we come visit.  This was also the day where we took the kids to lake Lillian to play at the park and feed the mutant ducks, swans, and turtles while I ran a few miles in the heat and humidity.

 Meg, Grandma Hoffman, and Oscar enjoying one of the many afternoon thunderstorms

Luckily, the weather was not as terrible as I remember it.  It probably had something to do with the daily rain clouds, and hour long down pours.  It's crazy rain!

Friday-

Everyone came into town that day.  We had a nice luncheon out with the family, and got to meet Randy's wife and son for the first time.

 this is one of my favorite pictures of the whole trip.  Finn never just sits and cuddles with anyone, but Grandma Hoffman had the touch.  They sat and watched cartoons like this in the morning, and it melted my heart.

Aunt Gin and Meg meeting for the first time.

That night the boy's had a little party for Ryan, while Roy's mom, me, Beki, and Dani stayed up talking late into the night.  

Saturday-

Wedding day!  We dropped the kids off (thank goodness for dear friends who offered to watch the kids so we both could go into the sealing), and headed back into Orlando.  After the Sealing and few quick photos, we drove back to Ocala and picked up the kids so they could eat and have naps before we headed off to the reception.

 the "twins"

 the ring ceremony

 keeping the kids quiet and entertained during the ceremony

Aunt Dani and Meg...she is so tender with my children.

It was a beautiful wedding and reception, and for the most part the kids did great, with only a few fiasco's of smeared chocolate and spilled punch on church clothes.  and I missed Roy and Meg's first daddy daughter dance because of said spills.  But overall great!!

 Finn and Bella busting a move

 All the Hoffman siblings together for the first time in 5 years

 Finn really loved the cake...especially because it wasn't chocolate.  The kid hates chocolate????

 Meg's first taste was well enjoyed too!

Sunday-

Church, and saying goodbye to everyone.  Roy's dad made a huge pot of spaghetti, and we all sat around talking and playing games one last night.

Monday-

The best travel day.  I gambled and booked a later flight so we wouldn't have to get up at the butt crack of dawn, and it paid off.  We got lunch and dinner at the airports and had just enough time to sit down and enjoy it, but not too much time where the kids got bored.   We arrived in Salt Lake just in time for bed time, and that was that.

Fun trip, glad to see family, and glad to be back home!