Vacation 2014 (Pensacola)

We went on our first family vacation this year, and it was quite the vacation. We were gone for 12 days, so I'm going to recap our trip over sever blog posts (too overwhelming to do it in one post!).

Our first destination was Pensacola, FL, where we spent Easter weekend. We actually stayed in Perdido Key, FL which is very close to the Pensacola, where my brother-in-law and his family lives. It was the girls' (and my) first time seeing the beach/ocean, and it was AMAZING. The weather on Saturday (April 4/19) was perfect, lots of sun and a good temp.

We all stopped by the beach on our way to lunch, for a quick first visit. It was obvious that the girls would love it, they started collecting shells right away!

FAMILY!

 

I got a shell!

Building a castle with Aunt Tara

Hubby and I

After that, we went to lunch at a great Mexican place...with awesome margaritas!

All four kiddos!

Then, it was back to the beach. We spent the rest of the afternoon there, and it was lovely. The water was a little cold, but the girls splashed in it a little, looked for shells, and played in the sand. I can't wait to go back to the beach next summer (already planning!)!

On our way to the beach. Nate with Oasis, Madi, and Lily

The next day was Easter. The weather was much cooler and cloudy, which was a bummer. We went to church, and after naptime we had an Easter egg hunt.

Easter presents first thing (with crazy hair)

A walk around the condo

Love this picture!

The condo we stayed at

Egg hunting

Easter :-)

Easter dinner at a local joint

FAMILY at the beach (love)

Sunset is so pretty there

Gorgeous...

 

Overall, Perdido Key, FL was great!

Just Mommy and the Ladies

Nate had to attend a training session this week, which meant he had to leave super early in the morning on Tuesday and Wednesday, so it was just me and the ladies. We had to go to the dentist, which had me a little nervous. When the girls were little, I would have NEVER taken them to the doctor/dentist alone. Fortunately, they are little easier to deal with now!

Practicing on the dinosaurs

 The girls kept brushing the dinosaurs' teeth, and taking "x-rays." It was pretty adorable. I think we may have dentists or hygienists on our hands!

Decided they are going to be dentists (I could go for that!)

They got ICE CREAM afterwards!

YUMMY!

 

Daddy wrote notes for the girls, so they wouldn't be upset when he wasn't there in the morning. He's a pretty great dad!

We’re off to see the Wizard…on Valentine’s Day

Once you’ve been married for a while, Valentine’s Day is just another holiday where you have to buy a card and perhaps receive flowers, or maybe that’s just us. Neither Nate nor I buy into Valentine’s Day or Anniversary presents. I guess we just both figure they’re a waste of money. Of course, that sentiment completely changes when it’s for the girls.

They were so excited for Valentine’s Day this year, especially when I told them that they were going to get a present. The fun started on Wed, Feb 12^th. The girls had a party at school, and got to take cards into the class for their classmates. They didn’t quite like the idea of giving them away until I explained they their friends would give them cards, too. They had a lot of fun at the party, and enjoyed being able to decorate a heart-shaped cookie (it’s the little things in life…).

Here's the ladies after the party!

The next day we headed to Crown Center. There was a Wizard of Oz exhibit, and I knew the girls would LOVE it, and I was right. First, we ate at Fritz’s, a favorite for them (mostly for the trains, since the food isn’t that great). After dinner, we went straight to Oz. The exhibit was GREAT. They had music from the movie, and lots of things for them to touch and look at. It really felt like we were in Oz, so fun. We went through twice before we finally left!

Riding the witch's broom!

Madi hiding from the witch with Daddy

Flying back to KS!

 
Friday was Valentine’s Day. The first thing they asked about in the morning was their presents (sounds about right). Each of the ladies got a Dorothy dress and red “sparkly” shoes for their Build-a-Bears. (The fact that I had bought the dresses 2 months earlier turned out to be a great coincidence.) They liked the outfits, but LOVED the shoes. Two weeks later, the bears are back in their princess dresses, but they still have on their fancy shoes.

Overall, I would say that this was probably one of my favorite Valentine’s Days yet!

The Monday after Valentine's Day was President's Day, so Nate and I were both off. Nate made "Mickey Mouse" pancakes. Let's just say they were a HUGE hit! :-)

Snow + February = Snowbruary 2014

Snow is really annoying when you're an adult. It makes travel difficult and can be all-around dangerous. Of course, when you're a kid, it's magic. It snowed like CRAZY here (nearly 10 inches at our house) last week, and the girls loved every minute of it. I think they felt like they were in their own version of Disney's Frozen!

Lily making a snow angel

Madi's snow angel

8 inches of snow by Tuesday night

Hubby braving the elements to see how much snow had fallen

Wednesday morning...Nearly 10 inches of snow!

Where's the stairs?!

Girls decided to paint flowers and dream of Spring....

Even made KSHB's website...cute kids!