Momcation

Sophia, with bag slung over her shoulder: "Mom, you won't see me tomorrow. I'm going on a trip."
Me: "Oh! I'll miss you! Have a fun trip!"
(Sophia leaves, throwing kisses as she walks into her room. Re-enters five minutes later.)

Me: "Oh! Are you back from your trip? How was it?"
Sophia: "There were kids all over me."
Me: "Ooooh, yep. Sounds about right."

Surprise Vacation

Jared surprised me last Saturday by walking me to his computer and showing me that the four of us were listed on a flight to Florida for Monday morning! He had planned a 5 day vacation with Richard and Erin, who we were going to meet there, and told me to start packing!


So Monday morning we got up at 4:30am, and headed to the airport. We flew into Fort Myers, spent a night at a beautiful hotel on the ocean, and then drove to Orlando for two days. While we were there, we went swimming, relaxed (a little!), visited briefly with Pastor Gregg and Heidi, and went to Disney World. Then drove back to Fort Myers for a night before catching our plane home on Friday. It was a whirlwind vacation, and a lot of work with little girls (and a pregnant Mommy), but it was wonderful.

We went straight to the beach when we arrived

Finally at the ocean... Sophia talked about it for days

Pretty pink sunset

Spending more time on the beach the next morning before leaving for Orlando

Sweet moments with Daddy

Me and my girls

Me and my Love

Jazi

Sneaking some tasty sand

Rockin the shades

Ready to swim!

It was COLD. The daddy's had the job of going in the pool with the girls. Too cold for us moms!

Jaz was way more interested in the leaves than the freezing pool.

Disney World!

DesVousges on It's a Small World

One of many rides on the carousel

Hangin with one of my best girls

Can't go to Disney without getting a picture of this

Sophia's FAVORITE thing in the world right now is Little Mermaid, so she got a very special doll at Disney. She still won't put her down!

Jazi lovin up her new singing Belle dolly!

Both of the girls were fast asleep by the time we left the Disney gates!

Surprise Weekend!

On Friday morning, Abby and I woke up to our husbands handing us a piece of paper (she slept over the night before). The paper was a clue, leading us on a treasure hunt that resulted in a one hour massage at the deluxe Spalon Montage. When we were finished getting pampered, a lady behind the desk handed us another clue, with money for coffee, and instructions to get home quickly. When we arrived, we discovered the boys had planned a surprise camping trip to Temperance River. We packed up as fast as we could and spent a wonderful weekend together camping, hiking, resting, eating and shopping. It was wonderful. Thank you Ben and Jared!

Hiking on Temperance River

Cool foam patterns on the water

One of the "violent waterfalls" we were to watch out for

Ben and Abby

Ab scaling the rock wall

At the top!

Abby and Ben in the woods

Me and the hus

Pretty

The river raging through the rocks

Da boyz
We found a deep pool that was beautiful...

...and stopped for a snack
The boys decided it was time for a dip-- in the 55 degree weather!
1, 2, 3, JUMP!
Laughing cuz it was SO COLD. I think out of hysteria.
We rested while they swam.
That evening, after HOT showers, we went shopping in Grand Marias

Enjoying hot coffee and homemade donuts.

First Family Vacation!

We had our first ever family vacation this weekend. We drove down to Milwaukee to attend a family wedding (Jared's cousin, Staci). It was a mini family reunion, as we saw most of Jared's relatives (Jan's side) that we haven't seen in a few years. It was a very fun weekend catching up with everyone. We were a little uncertain of how Sophia would do since we have never traveled with her, but she blew us away. She was a little trooper and did GREAT the whole time.

Starting the 5 hour road trip

Jared drove the whole way. Thanks honey:)

Passing the time on Sesame Street
Stretching her legs at the hotel!

"Hmmm....What can I get into next?"
Playing with the ever-fascinating drawers

During the wedding ceremony, Sophia and I had to watch through a window. Sophie thought it would be fun to talk to the bride and groom as they walked by, and everyone else in attendance. We had play time in the hallway where she found two other babies to talk to. One would babble, then the other would respond with babble, then Sophie would babble. It was actually quite funny.

Family photo after the ceremony

Mr. and Mrs. Butalla

Jared and Sophia at the reception

Me and my girl at the reception

Eating our yummy dinner

Family dance

Sophia jivin' with her Daddy

When the music started and the disco lights came on, Sophia was totally amazed. She just couldn't get enough of the swirling lights.

Dancing with Cassie and Brandon

Congratulations Staci and Eric!

Ooooooh yeah. I'm ready to hit the road. Let's go home. (At McD's on the way home.)