Florida Vacation 2012: Vacation Mode

The transition from "normal life" to "vacation mode" is always so easy.  It's the transition back to "normal life," after some R&R, that always proves difficult.  Once we hit the road, I can immediately feel the cares of my little world begin to lift.  By the time we reach our final destination (in this case Grammy's house in Florida), I'm in full blown "vacation mode!"

Our family on vacation looks like . . . 

Late night visits.

Chillin'!

Special time with Aunts.

Lazy mornings spent playing in PJ's.

Date night.

Cousins.  Silliness.  Grammy.  Food.  Movies.  Games.  My sister's in-laws (Grammy Deb & Papa Jim).  Outside fun.  New hairstyles.  Coffee.  Shopping.  Ice cream.  Adventures.  Rest.

 Aunt Katie Cam:

Grammy Cam:

And, of course, Mommy was following everyone around with iPhone Eyes:

Flashback Friday: Usually Funny, Occasionally Freaky, Probably Self Deprecating . . . Always From The Past!

What can I say . . . we have weird family

 traditions and a flare for the dramatic!

Moving to my first college apartment in '98.

Moving to first "Married Apartment" in '01.

Moving to Clewiston, Florida in '03.

I was quite pregnant for our most recent major move; and, we were therefore moved by a professional moving company.  When we moved from our apartment to our current house there was nobody around to take a picture of us (Hannah was 2 and Madeline 8 months old).  Sadly, for us. . . lucky, for you--there are no silly moving truck 
reenactments for those two moves.   

Traveling To Florida 2012

Everyone travels differently.  We are not in a huge hurry.  You will not find our family racing to beat our best time, eating while we drive, or forgoing the occasional "on the road" Starbucks or gas station treat.  We are of the belief that traveling should be an experience . . . not just a race to get from one place to the next destination.  The journey is part of the adventure or vacation and a perfect time for making memories.  We intentionally plan special treats, activities, meals, music, etc.; and, we have as much fun as as we possibly can while traveling in a minivan teeming with suitcases, lovies, strollers, and four children under the age of seven.

This year, I chronicled our Florida vacation on Instagram.  And, I began at the beginning . . .with travel preparations.  Packing for six, running errands, planning car activities, and gathering up princess movies to get psyched up for Disney World were all on my "To Do" list.

We began our annual summer voyage to Grammy's house (in Florida) on June 4th . . . just three short days after our school year ended.  We left bright and early and had a great deal of fun-- despite the torrential rain that greeted us in South Carolina and proved a loyal traveling companion through Georgia and north Florida.  

Mommy was primed and ready to photographically document our journey.

Emerson enjoying the early morning view.

Madeline working on a game of Travel Bingo.

There was some major singing!

 And, a great deal of sleeping!

Our travels through iPhone eyes (as seen on Instagram):

Flashback Friday: Usually Funny, Occasionally Freaky, Probably Self Deprecating . . . Always From The Past!

Well, I'm a day late and a dollar short.  It's Flashback Friday . . . on Saturday.  Better late than never I always say (and with four kiddos under the age of seven, if I didn't, I would never arrive anywhere).  

Last Friday we were in Florida for our annual Florida summer vacation at my Mom's house.  Hence-- no Flashback Friday post.  We had a wonderful time; and, I look forward to posting pictures and stories from our trip this coming week.  

In honor of Emerson's first visit to Disney World (we've take each kiddo to the Magic Kingdom for the first time when they were two years old--a tradition of sorts), I thought I would post pictures from Hannah and Madeline's first visits to the "happiest place on earth."

Mommy and Daddy took Hannah to Disney World for her first visit in October of 2006. I was about 5 months pregnant with Madeline.  (Original posts: Part 1, Part 2 )

 Grammy joined us for Madeline's first trip to the Magic Kingdom in June of 2009.  I was about 5 months pregnant with Emerson.  (Original post)

Flashback Friday: Usually Funny, Occasionally Freaky, Probably Self Deprecating . . . Always From The Past!

In honor of our last day of school (today), I thought I would post something more sweet and sentimental, rather than silly.  Don't worry . . . there will be plenty more silly posts to come.  Here is a look back at my girls on their first day of school over the last four years.

2008

2009

2010

2011