Fun In Florida

I thought I would hop on here and document our recent trip to Florida.

Until Nate informed me, I was unaware that three-year-olds were required to wear masks on the airplane. Not sure how I missed that detail. I was scrambling the week before, ordering Bennett a mask and practicing (he did great on our practice trip to Target).

It turned out to be fine. Calla screaming half the flight there, due to her sore ears, was a bit more stressful than anything.

Side note: the girls in the background of this picture were familiar faces to us. Three of them sat in front of us, completely a coincidence. They played peek-a-boo and handed back candy, making the flight more bearable. I think God hand-picked them to be there. I did not care quite so much that my kids were screaming in their ears. They put up with it very well!

We stayed in the Bradenton area. It is close to Sarasota, which is where we went for church. We are more familiar with Sarasota, but this area was great too.

Many trips to the park were made. The weather was great all week long, which was quite the blessing. You never know about Florida weather when you go in January. 

Nate's artwork: FL 21

Although the pool was chilly, Bennett braved it more than once.

We took a few strolls along the Riverwalk Parkway.

My sweet boys!

Our little princess.

There was a neat park that had a rope play ground (called the Canopy Zone) with different levels to climb through.

I have never seen anything like it. Bennett ran off some energy there during a few visits.

Minus the birds trying to steal our snacks, the beach was a great experience. The sand felt like powder....so very soft.

My blue-eyed babe and I.

This background is a bit alarming, not quite sure why we posed in this setting. We went putt-putting at a pirate themed mini golf course. They had real life alligators caged all around, we even got to feed them.

We hit up a neat children's museum on the last day. Bennett's favorite was this fire truck. He did not mind playing firefighter.

Calla enjoyed the babies. She is our baby-loving sweetheart. I think she will have a nurturing spirit about her.

Bennett made a pizza or two.

The grocery store area was a favorite as well.

Soon it was time to bid farewell to the lovely weather and head back home. 

Both of the kids fell asleep for the first half of the flight and that helped so much. The week had exhausted them.

We enjoyed getting away for a bit and soaking in some sweet sunshine. It is always good to come home to what is familiar and normal too. Truly no place like home. Thanks for reading!

Year In Review: July - November

As I look back at these pictures from the warmer days, I am thankful for the ever-changing seasons. This Christmas season is sweeping me up in all the happy moments in which it has to offer. Not much I love more than gift-giving or retrieving a new bundle of cards from the mailbox. We enjoyed walking the Marion Walkway of Lights last weekend on a brisk Saturday evening. It truly put me in the Christmas spirit. Seeing Christmas through the eyes of a little boy is a privilege too. I cannot even count how many times Bennett said "look" as we passed the many light displays. He was in awe!

JULY

Now to remember back to what we were up to back in July. Grandma coaxed Bennett to get into the water during our July 4th gathering, back at the pond. He has never loved water, but we were proud of him for trying it out.

Nate celebrated his birthday, early July. We gifted him some binoculars, Bennett went to grab his toy binoculars, and I thought it called for a picture. It is precious to see how much Bennett looks up to his father. I am so thankful that my little guy has such a wonderful role model in his daddy.

More trips to the park!

My family was off to Branson, Missouri at the end of July for vacation. We hit up a few parks on the way to Branson, and a park in Terra Haute, IN offered a train ride. No way could we pass that up.

We did some sight-seeing via a golf cart ride. That was our version of hiking for the week.

I would say that they definitely look like siblings.

Here we were lining the grandchildren up, oldest to youngest, for my mom's Christmas photo.

Grandpa, Coy, and Bennett.

I sure enjoyed having Dana spend the weekends with us when she would come see Alec, during their engagement. She would take time, away from her studies, to accompany me to the parks and coffee shops, always willing to play with my kids. Let's face it, she still tags along with me and my crazies=)

AUGUST

Tim, Crystal, and their six kids came out to visit us early August. We tried to make it fun. Golf cart rides and spending time at the pond were enough to entertain their crew.

Lacie and Bennett really enjoy playing with each other

Calla with her big cousin Sawyer.

Nate's work also sponsored a trip to the zoo. We got to feed some lettuce to the giraffe.

Love spending time with my favorites!

Dana's wedding was beautiful. I was honored to be part of it!

She made such a stunning bride, and she was a great sport planning a wedding during such an uncertain period of time. Thankfully their wedding went as normal as possible.

My handsome date.

SEPTEMBER

September brought some more motivations for a few projects. I went out on a limb and tried peel-and-stick wallpaper for the first time in Bennett's room.

I like how it turned out, but it was a bit time-consuming.

Here I painted a few pumpkins that we picked from our patch.

OCTOBER

Nate and I went to Shipshewana, just the two of us, for a quick get-away. We stayed at the Blue Gate Inn and had a nice, relaxing time. We had never left Calla overnight before, but she was perfectly fine and thoroughly enjoyed getting spoiled at Grandma's house.

These pictures give me all the fall feels again. Sunday morning photos on the back patio.

I. AM. BLESSED.

We met Nate's family at a park near Lima, Ohio one Sunday afternoon. Cousin Austyn is holding Calla here!

NOVEMBER

We have been updating the carpet in a few of the rooms in our house. New carpet makes things feel so fresh and clean. In October we did two bedrooms and in November we had the living room done.

A strong wind came through and took down our apple trees one weekend.

Bennett thoroughly enjoyed helping Daddy in the back-ho.

My brother's kids came to stay with us for a couple days. I got to test out being a mom to six kids. I liked it, but I still do not see six kids in my future. 

Here Nate is dropping the oldest three off at the bus.

We were off to Ohio, to celebrate Thanksgiving with Nate's family. Calla enjoyed chilling in this chair.

Grandma and Grandpa carving the turkey.

Lacie and Bennett play so well together!

I would say that about wraps things up. Our December has not been too eventful yet, but the next few days are sure to make up for that. Thankful that we have the opportunity to celebrate Christ's birth. "Tis not the manger, but the cross, which sets the Spirit free." 

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas season!