Florida: Wednesday through Sunday

Ooooohkay.... This is a long one. I waited too long to post. Here we go! Wednesday was a pretty low key day. The girls had been together non-stop since Monday morning and things were a bit tense. Vivien was tired and acting out. I took Gillian shopping with me for a bit so that Vivien could chill out. It was Jim's birthday that day, so the adult kids all got to go out to dinner. We left as soon as I got Silas to sleep. Little did I know, he woke up 15 minutes after we left and was still awake when I called to check in after 9. We went back to my mom's so that I could nurse him back to sleep. By that time, we called it a night. Everyone left and I checked on the girls before I turned in. Here is what I found... Yes, Vivien has her pinky finger extended and pointing in the corner of Gillian's mouth.

Jim and Silas both wore yellow and camo this day. It really was a coincidence.

On Thursday, we went kayaking in the bay. My mom was very kind and offered to stay behind at the launch site with Silas. I showed her how to use the Beco carrier. She was a natural. Of course, she wore us when we were babies too.

Jim, Vivien, and I started out in a kayak together. However, Vivien was having a very difficult time following the rules. She eventually went to Aunt Becky's kayak where she could follow the rules a little better. Here we are going through the mangrove tunnels. They were so cool.

We pulled up on a little peninsula to have a quick lunch.

On our stop, Grampy showed the girls crabs and other sealife.

That evening, we left the old people home and we went to Siesta Key for a picnic dinner. We tossed the football around for a while. Here is Uncle Dale playing with Vivien.

Then we went for a walk on the beach.

Vivien "got tired", so Aunt Becky carried her.

Becky picked up my younger brothers (we have the same dad) Thursday night. They came over to see us Friday morning. Casey is on the right, Jesse on the left.

We went to the Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar.

That evening was Becky's 30th birthday party. We had an early kid-friendly gathering, and then the grown rowdy crowd came after the kids left. Here are the girls in Becky's backyard.

Uncle Dodo and Silas

Cutting a rug with Aunt Becky

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Grampy and Grammy. Here is an excerpt from that conversation:
Grammy: Don't drink it through a straw. You'll make yourself sick
Grampy: That's an old wives tale.
He was drinking a vodka tonic.

Baby boy was getting sleepy. I am holding Jim's beer so that he could take the picture. Don't get too excited, everyone.

Saturday was a recovery day. We had my Grampy over (Jimmy's dad) and Uncle Arthur and Aunt Cynthia (Jimmy's brother and sister) for dinner. Here is Uncle Casey and Silas.

Uncle Dale came over to say his good-byes. You would never know that Vivien used to be afraid of Dale.

The girls hugging good-bye. They were in denial.

We had to get up early Sunday morning to drive to Tampa to catch our flight. Here is Silas passed out in my bed.

Boarding the plane...

It was a fantastic trip. My parents are so generous to bring us there every year. They do so much for us and we really appreciate it. My mom worked her rear off caring for both of those girls all week. I know she was just exhausted, but she never complained. Jimmy was a lifesaver when Vivien got ornery. Everyone listens to Jimmy. We are already looking forward to next year's trip!