hit the ground runnin'.

Aunt DeeAnn picked Mimi up on the Wednesday of our trip and they hit the ground running with us :)
It looks as if Cole had A TON to tell them about!


Our first stop, was the playground! It was SO much fun and all I can say is I wish we had this playground here in the midwest!!!

No sand in sight = a very happy boy!

Probably my favorite picture of him in a while...it really makes me smile.

You couldn't wipe the smile off of her face either!

Aunt DeeAnn was giving a good push!

What a poser :)

ice cream and books.

After a good long nap, we were all ready for a quick outing our first night. We headed to Haagen Daz for some ice cream and then to Daddy's favorite place, Barnes & Noble.

Cole of course wanted to read some books at the bookstore.

Camden wanted to eat snacks and play with the trains at the bookstore...of course :)

off to the races.

Our first day continued...we headed to the beach for the first time of the trip and you will see a VERY happy little girl!


...and a not so sure little boy :) (watch the theme continue)


She was in awe...he just didn't want to be put down!

Still WON'T get down! Camden called the sand "snow" and we all know how Camden feels about snow! He cried, "NO Snow! NO Snow"

On the other hand...check this girl out--that smile is priceless!

Could she be any happier? I'd like to think she was praising God for His creation in this one :)

She didn't even care that the water was 140 degrees below zero...she loved every minute of it!

Does she own this beach or what?

Look at the amount of sand on this child.

Aunt Colleen and Cole were serious about their sand castle making! What troopers!

Daddy got in on the sand castle making too.

I mean really...are we from the midwest or what?! My kid would be the one doing "sand" angels in FL :)

And you ask...where has Camden been in all of these pictures? The answer...in this lawn chair, under this cabana, with this Blackberry, listening to Bob Marley.

I said it while we were there on vacation, but we really couldn't have asked for a more appreciative little girl, and a more content little boy! What a joy it is to be your Mommy, Cole and Camden! We love you so much!

morning 1.

Well a few Mondays ago, we arrived in Naples, FL and pretty much dropped into bed at Aunt Colleen's place. So the first morning, we thought the kids would be ready to relax and enjoy staying put for a bit.
And they did for a bit...watch cartoons.


Aunt Colleen was showing them the sights from the lanai.


...AND then...they were ready to go! Does she look like a girl that's ready for the beach or what?!


Camden thought he was ready for the beach.

Awww aren't they cute! She was giving Camden a pep talk I'm sure!

amazing race begins.

We headed out on Monday, Feb. 8 in the morning and by the time we were ready to board the plane, this was the sight...

...that's right, he fell asleep in the stroller before we even got on the plane and slept for a while on that leg of the trip.

Cole on the other hand, was WAY too excited to sleep! She LOVES airplanes and LOVES the beach! She was one happy girl!

When Camden decided to wake up, Cole was waiting and ready to share a snack and video! Don't they look cozy?

Then we brought out the books.

On the second leg of the trip, on the way there, Cole was once again, ALL smiles!

Cole's fine work of photography!

Camden was hangin' out a bit on Daddy's lap to give Mommy's lap a break :)

Apparently Cole thought it was a good idea to check out the safety features of the plane...what a crack up!

We really couldn't say enough about how smoothly the trip there went! (The way home was a different story, but I have a lot more FUN to post first :)

r & r.

We were so blessed to vacation and visit family for a week and a half in Naples, FL. It was a much needed get-a-way and the kids and I ADORED having Daddy around! We were able to visit with Aunt Colleen, Aunt Dee Ann, Mimi and Grampa. We are too grateful for words for the time we shared there together! THANK YOU!

donuts.

The day before Camden started feeling really rotten, I headed out to get the kids one of their favorite "special treats"--DONUTS!!!

He was a pretty content little man!

dr's office.

One of many trips to the doctor's office a few weeks ago.