Family Vacation 2012

We had been looking forward to this trip since December. Counting down the days until we were Florida bound for a much needed family vacation and visit with Mama. It had been two years too long since we'd visited and we couldn't wait to be poolside enjoying one of our favorite places with some of our favorite people.

We stayed at my Dad's house the night before we left for the airport and Abby enjoyed some quality time with her Papa, Grandma and Uncle Cory. Abby went for a walk to the park with Grandma,Uncle Cory and Joe, then we all had Mother's Day dinner together. That night, the guys took Abby for her very first Dairy Queen experience. Needless to say, she wanted to finish everyone's Blizzard for them!

chilling with Uncle C

Abby was so excited to ride on the airplane. One of our favorite parts of the trip from beginning to end was seeing this vacation through Abby's eyes, starting with the plane ride. It wasn't her first ride, actually her third, but it was the first time she could ask questions and verbalize what the experience was for her.  I came prepared with my "bag-o-tricks", including secret snacks and LOTS of different activities. It wasn't long before Abby realized great things kept coming out of my bag. I tried to make each thing stretch as long as possible for our 3 hour plane ride, but once Abby caught on she kept asking for more "surprises"! Some of her favorite airplane activities were Pirate's Booty, fruit snacks, ice from her complimentary beverage, watching Nick Jr. with her big girl headphones, a Hello Kitty sticker book, books, crayons and a Color Wonder coloring book. I love that she fell asleep on me during the trip and I got to hold her like a little baby while she slept. I love how brave she was during take-off and landing. She looked at me wide eyed and without saying a word just slipped her little hand into mine.

We were so excited to see Mama and Laci Bacsi waiting for us at the airport. Abby was very concerned that Buffy was not there with them, so she took Mama's hand to lead her to the car. It was time to go home because Abby said Buffy was waiting for her. 

It wasn't long before Abby was off to the backyard with Laci Bacsi to tend the garden. She had her own little basket to help pick the peppers.

Abby: Yay! Pool! I need my bathing suit. 

(We get all suited up.)

Daddy: Are you ready to come in with me? 

Abby: No Daddy! The water will make me all wet. I'll dip my toes.

Abby and her swimming baby doll

Abby loved Buffy's bed

Musketeers.

Mama and Laci Bacsi had a fun surprise for Abby when she got there. A dollhouse loaded with little pieces of furniture, complete with curtains and bedspreads. What a dream for this little girl!

Mama's little helper: watering the lanai jungle with her trusty sidekick right beside her. Buffy and Abby followed each other around for the entire week. Abby calls Buffy her "best friend".  "Come here, Buffy. Best friend....where are you?"

 

beautiful.

my baby girl.

lounging in her boat.

In case you thought I was exaggerating about Abby's best friend, this was the scene at bath time every night. Actually, we spent a lot of the time trying to keep Buffy out of the tub because she so desperately wanted to get in a play with Abby. Each night, this was followed by my cute naked baby running around the house with her pup chasing after her.

"Are you sure you don't want to let me have one of those fun ocean animals to chew on?"

As promised, Mama invited Abby to tea with her very special plates and cups. Abby's eyes lit up when she saw the table all set for a fancy tea party. I wish I could have taken a video of her drinking apple juice from her dainty cup! What a sweet moment!

Abby has the best Daddy. One afternoon, Joe disappeared for a bit and then the doorbell rang. Joe was standing there with two straw hats ready to take Abby on an adventure to Lizard Land. They had so much fun searching for lizards and calling them with their secret lizard call, "Leaping Lizards!".  Can you imagine the look on Abby's face when they shouted "leaping lizards" across the channel and at the same time fish jumped out of the water?  "Daddy! It worked!"

I'll take the pool after breakfast any day!

Now they are on an alligator hunt...

No one had to teach her this one...she's a natural!

best friends.

The day had finally arrived. We had talked about it for months. We read books about the animals in the ocean and seashells. We bought a new sun hat. We were fully loaded with sunscreen. The bucket and shovel was packed. Abby was ready to go to the BEACH!

Proof that her time of sun and sand was a success!

Did I mention that Abby's best friend loves to swim with us too?

Making breakfast poolside with Daddy

love this.

Birthday dinner for Mommy at Red Lobster. Abby polished off her whole meal and an entire bowl of icecream.  Thanks Laci Bacsi!

Abby's self taken photograph.

The week wouldn't be complete without a belly shot-33 weeks! Only 7 more to go. Hard to believe next time we go to Mama's house there will be four of us. It's so sweet to listen to Abby at this point because wherever we are going she will refer to all four of us going together. On beach day, she proudly declared, "I'm going to the beach with Nagymama, my Mommy, my Daddy and my Baby Sister. I love it! No one could have taught her the excitement and connection she already has with her sister.

  

33 weeks

A visit to Nagymama's wouldn't be complete without a trip to Sweet Scoops (our favorite local ice cream shop). Abby became quite the connoisseur of ice cream on this trip! You can tell by this photo that she was quite the fan of orange sherbet. :)

Top two favorite quotes of the trip: 

• Mama's glass shower doors have a pelican etched onto it. While getting dressed in the bathroom Abby shouted, "Turkey, stop looking at me while I put my underpants on!
• Because everything about Florida is ridiculously HOT, Abby got her very first nightgown while we were there. That night as she was going to bed, her face became really distressed. "Mommy, I can't go to bed. MOMMY! My knees are naked!" 

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