Florida 2016

It was another great Florida vacation that flew by way too quickly! We did tons of fun activities, lots of swimming, lots of eating and a little bit of sleeping (one day they will sleep in, right??).  We also got to celebrate Hanukkah in Florida this year with grandma which was a special treat.  Here are some of the highlights from our trip:

We went back to Boomers where sadly Ella was still not tall enough for the bumper cars, but she loved everything else.  

Hannah made Jordan promise not to spray her in the bumper boats, but all bets were off when she sprayed him and Ella first.  He also sprayed me while I tried to take photos.

Pre tears over getting splashed.

Ella and Jordan won the race, and Ella was extremely proud.  Hannah was too terrified to race after trying the karts with Zaydie last year.

We spent one day at the Seagate with Tia Leah, Craig and Nona and it was a great time as always. The kids collected jelly fish on the beach in cups (dangerous hobby), and Ella got stung by one in the ocean.  The staff there suggested we pee on her, but we opted for vinegar instead. What is the protocol for peeing on your child? It felt wrong so we took a pass.

Rare moment of the girls touching with no imminent screaming.

The waves were HUGE, so the girls were only allowed in holding on to Tia Leah or Craig.

Jungle gym Craig in action.

Wildlife up close and personal... Jordan says this is why we tolerate Michigan winters.

Jordan was greeted by this guy staring at him through the window after getting out of the shower one day.

And this snake was swimming with the girls in grandma's pool.  Pool boy Jordan had to remove him while two screaming girls (ok, three after I joined them) watched from the pool deck.

Making donuts - one of Ella's Hanukkah gifts that she so sweetly shared with her sister.  I love sleeping Grandma Joanie in the background.

We had our annual playdate with the Alexanders, and as usual, the kids picked back up like old friends.

We went to cousin Brett's to meet baby Niko and swim with cousins Carly and Aidan.  The Boltons put the "party" in pool party, and thankfully Ella survived it - see video below of Ella getting pushed into the pool in a stroller.  The dads all thought this was a great pool activity.

Another iguana sighting on Brett's dock.

Random Mina snuggles at grandma's house. We had Aunt Beb and cousin Barbara over for the day, but sadly I forgot to get pictures!

The much loved carnival at grandma's was a hit again this year.  Ella's favorite was bouncing, while Hannah enjoyed spinning rides with Nona who joined us for the afternoon. 

Ella with friend Sloane and two random big girls that were very sweet to the littles.

We returned to Boomers with cousins Softa, Zaydie, Aunt Jill, Uncle Marc, Jake and Johnny, and it was such a wonderful day.  Ella tattooed Hannah's face over lunch with assorted sea life, and we had another odd experience of the girls sitting next to each other willingly and getting along for an entire meal.  It was so nice getting to catch up with the Bolton/Blackman clan.

The kids all soaked each other on the bumper boats, and Ella came prepared in her bathing suit.  Hannah decided to skip it to stay dry.

It rained through 16 of 18 holes at mini golf, so Ella was attired perfectly and Hannah got drenched despite skipping the bumper boats.  

A typical family photo with facial tattoos, and a bathing suit at mini golf.

Waiting out the rain at mini golf with Aunt Jill.

Ella and Aunt Jill having fun with filters!

Our last full day was spent with golf cart rides, naked swimming in grandma's pool, and dinner in Del Ray at Park Tavern which was delicious.  We finished off the night exploring the giant Christmas tree and riding the carousel.  We are all so sad to head home to Michigan - this trip flew by way too quickly.

Future Husbands

Hannah, tell me about your future husband, or life partner:

"Someone who loves animals and doesn't hunt, likes to be with nature, that likes to play with kids, someone with small feet, and blue eyes.  Actually, not with small feet. And someone not old"

Ella's answer:

"Green eyes and gigantic ears, that likes to go fast in cars, and has a house with a golf cart.  And someone that is 10 or 96 years old. And that doesn't go poop."

Future Mom Hannah

Hannah, how many kids do you want to have when you grow up?

"Two that I'm going to adopt from a shelter, and one that I'll grow in my body." 

What will you name them?

"Isabelle Luck, Delaney Dandelion and Marley Mary."

I'm holding her to this.

Denver for Softa's 70th

We took Softa and Zaydie to Denver for Softa's 70th with Sara, Ian, Macy and Lilah. It was a busy trip with lots of swimming at the hotel, great meals including a nice birthday dinner for Softa at Earl's, and fun activities with friends and family. We got home early evening and both girls crashed at bedtime, even though we put them in bed at 5pm Denver time! Many great memories from this trip - now to rest up for the next adventure.

Hannah loved her time with Grandpa Mutty, this girl has a future in elder care - she was amazing with him and all of the other residents where he lives.

Hannah's new favorite restaurant  - Fogo di Chao. She had at least 8 rounds of steak, and got back to the hotel and asked if we could go back - she was still hungry.

Return to lollipop park - the girls all loved it there.

Softa's birthday dinner - the girls decided the fancy cake was actually their smash cake.

Nighttime carousel ride at the 16th street mall after dinner on our walk back to the hotel.

Disney on Ice with our friends the Laurains - $100s of dollars in snow cones and light up toys later, the kids had a blast.

Hannah invited herself to sleep at the Laurains and had a blast.  She came home and told me "it's like a big penis show there, mom."

The Downtown Aquarium was great, from  watching mermaids swim underwater, to feeding sting rays to hanging out in a hurricane simulator.