Destin Vacation- Part one

We are just coming off of a great vacation to Destin, FL. This was definitely one of the better vacations we have had in a long time. I feel like we are getting to a place in our life where it's getting easier. We have been to there once and started all over again. I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel though. 

I love vacation due to the fact that I don't have to cook, clean, help with homework, or even drive if I don't want to. This vacation was very laid back. We had no set plans which was a nice change of pace. Our biggest decision of the day was where we were going to eat dinner or if we were going to go to the pool or the beach. If life could always just be that easy. 

We left super early on Saturday morning.

 We encountered a lot of traffic throughout the day. I guess everyone had to the same idea to head south for spring break. Luckily, it was a pretty uneventful car ride. Ella and Paige both did really good. We got kind of desperate toward the end. Since it was so nice out we rolled down the windows and enjoyed some fresh air. 

After twelve LONG hours in the car we finally made it. We dropped off our stuff, ordered pizza, and headed straight for the beach. 

It's always so exciting seeing the ocean again for the first time. Paige had seen it before but definitely didn't remember so she was really experiencing it for the first time. 

We headed to bed after we ate since it had been such a long day. We had a two bedroom condo so Paige and I were in one room together. I was unsure of how she would do, but she was asking to go to bed. She slept great all week, except the first night she woke up asking to go to the pool at 1am. Other then that, she slept all night. 

On Sunday we had big plans to go to the Gulfarium. I made a reservation for Ella to do a dolphin splash encounter. The minimum age is nine so she was finally able to participate. She was so excited. 

Paige and I hit the beach and the baby pool early that morning before we got ready to go.

Paige loved the baby pool! She was quite the little dare devil jumping in. :) 

Vacation mode...

We headed to the Gulfarium to catch the dolphin show before Ella's encounter. Ella is an old pro there. She has been many times. Even though it's small, I feel like we do something new each time. 

Paige loved the turtles. 

Ella got suited up and was ready to go. It was a great experience for her and so great to see her have so much fun. 

Ella has loved dolphins since she was two or three. I tell her every time we go to Florida she would be a great dolphin trainer. She has a gentle spirit about her and loves animals. 

Ella said she will never forget this day as long as she lives. 

After the Gulfarium we went to The Back Porch for lunch. I love eating and looking at the ocean. 

Paige found a stray cat (that lives at the back porch) to pet on the way out. 

 That afternoon we hit the beach again. I don't think I have ever spent so much time at the beach on any Florida trip. Paige is definitely my beach lover. 

Adam wanted to bury Paige in the sand, but she wasn't going for it. Smart girl!

Paige's favorite part of the beach was getting clean afterwards. "Let me do it" is what we would hear if we tried to take that hose from her. She even had to clean our feet for us. Such a little boss!

One of the reasons I picked our condo was because a golf cart was included. We stay at the Sandestin beach resort which is connected to Baytown Wharf and the Grand Boulevard. There are tons of restaurants to choose from and also shopping so we barely had to drive our car all week. It was so fun to hop on the golf cart and head to dinner. We were also able to drive it to the grocery store. It got lots of use this week and was one of the best parts of our trip. 

On Monday Paige and I went to the outlets because it was a cloudy, chilly morning. They were PACKED. Everyone had the same idea. I went in one store, and then let her go in the Disney Store. She threw the biggest fit ever on the way out (I still don't know why), and we had to leave. This continued on the ride home and in the parking garage. Vacation isn't always easy. ;) 

Once she calmed down we went to the pool and beach, and that seemed to cheer her up. 

We watched Ella do handstands and swim. The pool was heated which was another reason I love this resort. It felt like bath water. 

For dinner that night we went over to Baytown Wharf. We went out to see the boats before we ate. 

We ate at a really good pizza restaurant. We had a lot of good food while we were there. I tried my best to be good, but my diet was a little off. 

After dinner Paige rode the carousel, and Adam and Ella got in line (a LONG line) to do the trampoline. While they waited Paige and I also fed the fish, did some shopping, and got some ice cream. 

Paige wanted to ride the race car on the carousel. It reminded me of when Ella rode it about six years ago. 
Here is Paige...

And Ella in 2012

Vacation life was very good to her.

Stay tuned for Part two of our vacation....

Disney on Ice

Weeks ago I bought tickets for Disney on Ice. We have been many times with Ella but now it's Paige's turn. I originally bought tickets for the four of us, but the morning of Ella decided she didn't want to go. I was very upset about her not wanting to go, but I do see now she is getting too old. It was mostly younger kids. Now that Paige is getting to the age to do these things, Ella is getting too old. That's probably going to happen a lot with them being so far apart in age. I'm thankful I can relive all these events with Paige though and do big girl stuff with Ella. :) 

My parents were more than willing to go last minute, and we ended up having a great time. Paige was a little unsure at first but quickly warmed up when Mickey and Minnie came out. We had great seats which made it even better. 

Paige didn't want to sit by herself in her seat the first half so she traded off between our laps. 

She didn't say much, but she was taking it all in!

Paige and mammy are BFF's. 

During intermission my dad went to get a big bucket of popcorn and of course Paige thought it was all hers. She did share it but you better not dare try to take it from her. She made it almost to the end but decided before it was over that she was "all done". She did a great job throughout the show. 

I couldn't leave without getting a picture of us. Seems like yesterday I was doing these things with her sister and now I'm doing them with her. 

January/February Recap

After scrolling my phone the other day I realized I have so many pictures that I have not shared so it's definitely time for a random photo dump. I can not believe I have only posted once since January. I really need to get back on the blogging band wagon. I have so many days for Ella documented and so little for Paige. The days just fly by anymore, and I tell myself all the time I need to blog. It just doesn't happen. 

Let's get caught up....

Adam had a work trip in January. I always try to take the girls to the airport to greet him if the times are good for us. We picked up Ella from school early and headed to the airport. It's always nice welcoming him home!

Paige loves to pack around random items in bags and baskets. She is also in love with easter eggs and has a basket full. They are filled with random things and every time she opens them it's a surprise. 

This girl and I spend all our days together. I tried a children's morning out program (again) for her, and she HATED it. It was hard to see her so sad when she doesn't have to be so I took her out. I try not to stress about it too much, because hopefully it's something she will grow out of. She could be like her mother and cry everyday before school until she's in third grade but let's hope not. I have her signed up for preschool in the fall so I'm hoping she will get used to that. Until then, we will spend our days doing whatever we want to, and I will enjoy my time with her. I know these days of just her and I will be coming to an end faster than I want them to. 

This girl is ready for the pool/beach!! 

We went to CMOE on a cold day, and Paige had the best time. It was the first time she had been that she could fully enjoy it. We spent most of our time in the water/ball room. There was so much to see and explore. 

After CMOE we walked to Lic's, had lunch, and got a lollipop. Paige insisted on sitting on this bench to eat it in the freezing cold.  

We have had a few spells of nice weather the past couple of months, and we always take advantage of it. Ella has strep throat in this picture, but you would have never have known. That poor girl went to school all week with strep, and I had NO IDEA. She was a trooper all week. Her teacher emailed to let us know she had strep so I thought I better take Ella in after she mentioned her throat hurt. After a round of antibiotics she was good to go. 

Paige is such a bossy little thing. She enjoys playing play-doh, but I better not try to touch it. She likes for me to just sit and watch. I have been trying to teach her to ask for things nicely, but it hasn't quite sunk in yet. She has a lot to learn. :) 

Ella FINALLY got a haircut. She had not had her hair cut in almost a year  so she was in desperate need. 

Paige is in a tumble class on Friday's. Is there anything cuter than a two year old in a leotard? She loves tumble class but only because of the big "jumpy". 

Adam and I did our annual trip to Nashville for our anniversary. We stayed at the Gaylord, and I went to the spa for a pedicure. It was heavenly. 

It's crazy to think we have been married for twelve years. Times have changed, WE have changed, and our lives have changed so much over the years, but our relationship has stayed constant. I'm always thankful for another year spent together. :) 

I have been working on my diet/exercise since January. I'm down 16 pounds which is a miracle in itself. Since Paige gave up her naps I work out during what used to be her nap time, and she plays while I run. Sometimes she joins me though and pretends like she is working out too. 

Ella and I started getting in the hot tub at night before bed. It feels so good when it's cold out but makes you SO tired. 

Paige was in a major easter egg phase for awhile. I was hiding eggs almost everyday around the house. She is going to love Easter this year!

We have had a few days of springlike weather this winter (not as many as last year). We always try to get out of the house as much as we can on those days. I can not wait for spring. 

This girl is a target shopper. She LOVES target. She enjoys browsing the aisles and typically leaves with a few small items. Her favorite things right now are Hatcnhimal Collectibles. 

It snowed on a Saturday morning in February and was so pretty. I love snow, especially when we don't have to get out in it. 

Ella has become my little kitchen helper. If I make brownies she always takes over and can pretty much do it all herself. She also likes to help me cut vegetables, and it saves me a lot of time. She is getting so big!!

Adam and Ella got nerf guns recently. I'm not sure who is the bigger kid!? 

Poor Paige had a stomach bug one night. It was 70 degrees the next day so we spent most of the day outside...hunting eggs. She is getting lots of practice in for Easter. 

Everyday at pick up Paige likes to hop in the front seat to "drive". I never know what will be on when we get back in the car. She usually honks the horn in the parking lot as well drawing a lot of attention. 

Paige and I went to the zoo on a Tuesday afternoon before picking up Ella. She LOVES the zoo and insists on walking the entire time. I see many trips to the zoo in our future once the weather is nice. 

We went to Donut Bank for a treat afterwards. Paige loves donuts. She ate an entire sprinkle long john and was still hungry after. I'm not sure where all this food goes that she consumes.