5 Year Anni Trip

Last week we spent 3 days in Naples, Florida celebrating our 5th anniversary. Luckily February has 29 days this year so I can publish this post without it looking too far after our amazing trip!

Our actual anniversary was on February 16th and lucky us - Tyler was scheduled to be in Alabama that day. Now normally we play it more low-key for Valentines' because our anniversary is just two days later, but since we knew Ty would be gone that day, we went out that night (hence the previous post).

But that was just the beginning of the celebrations. Tyler felt bad that I'd be alone that day so he arranged with one of my friends that we would go get our nails done and go out to lunch at one of my favorite spots - Seasons 52. It was kind of a funny way to spend your anniversary, it's not super normal that you go have a girls day is it? But it was so nice of Tyler to arrange it all for me. Of course we were lame and didn't take pictures but I'm still enjoying my tangerine gel nails

and loved my lunch that day. Jackson had tons of fun at a friends' house!


Tyler got home the next day and we had a fun non-school weekend and we went to Sea World on Saturday.


The real festivities didn't begin until the next week, when Tyler's mom came to town and Tyler whisked me away on a fabulous vacation. After almost 2 years of life, the longest Jackson had been away from me was 24 hours when I was at Girls Camp and he was home with Tyler. Between nursing him for 13 months, not living close to family and the fact that I'm kind of obsessed with him, I haven't wanted to spend a night away from my baby! But Tyler talked me into taking this trip together and it turned out just great!

Jackson spent 3 fun days with Grandma and Tyler and I spent 3 amazing days at the Waldorf Astoria in Naples - on the southwest coast of Florida. The weather was perfect and it was such a beautiful resort in one of our favorite parts of Florida. There are definitely some perks to Ty staying in hotels so many nights, as he had earned 2 free nights at this hotel and we were upgraded to the ocean view suite on the 16th floor.

We spent most of our time at the beach - the gulf coast has amazing soft white sand & bright blue water, we love it so much more than the Atlantic Side. But we also enjoyed plenty of good food! We went out for fancy dinners both nights - first to Flemings and second to Bravo. Both amazing and both I wished I had eaten smaller lunches so I could have fit more food into my increasingly shrinking tummy. (By the end of the day there is just not much more room since I have a pineapple sized baby in there!) We went shopping, hung out at the pool, took naps and just enjoyed being "party of two" again.

We stopped at 5 Guys on our drive down - had been craving this forever and it tasted way too good.


Checking out the amazing pool when we first checked in


Down at the Beach


Layin on the beach and Tyler getting artsy with his new fav app - Instagram.


Sunset from our balcony.


First night out - Flemings!


Day 2 at the Beach & Pool



Went shopping and to Bravo that night - amazing wedges from Nordy's and maybe even more amazing Italian food!




Last morning at the beach - not wanting to say goodbye!





I remembered to take pictures of our room right before we left, it was honestly huge and we could have fit 6 more people in this place!







Driving away from the hotel with our complimentary virgin strawberry lemonade daiquiris


With less than 7 weeks left until baby sister arrives, it was perfect trip. Thank you so much to Grandma Jennings who stayed with Jackson and sent us pictures of him throughout the week so I knew he was happy!

Valentine's

We had a great valentine's day this year!

The best part was that Tyler was able to be home that morning! He went to the gym before I got up and then made a secret stop at the store before he came home. When he got home, Jackson and I were in the kitchen and in he walks with a huge balloon for Jackson and a birthday donut for me. I wish we had Jackson's reaction to seeing the balloon recorded - he loved it and just said "wooooooow!" with the hugest smile on his face. We then had waffles with whipped cream & strawberries and opened our presents from my mom and grandma.

Jackson was so excited when he took the tissue paper out of the box and saw that Grammy had sent him a train! Appropriately, James the red train, from his current obsession - the Thomas collection.



I couldn't pick just one picture that captured his face the best, so here are 4 that show his reaction and excitement as he holds it in the top 2 and Tyler opens it for him in the bottom two. He was thrilled :)

And then of course was so excited to test it out saying "choo choo!"

He also loved his Lighting McQueen Card and said "mikeen" when he saw it - i guess that's how he says "mcqueen" anyways, he was a happy boy!


Tyler headed to work around 9:30 and Jackson and I went to a brunch party with some ladies in our ward. No pictures from that, but it was fun!

Tyler headed home early that afternoon and we took some pictures in our new red attire - thanks mom!



Even baby sister got a vday shirt, which she is "wearing" on my tummy :) and of course, Jackson is still holding his train.




That night we actually went out to eat - which I don't think we've ever done! With our anniversary 2 days later, we normally have a night at home for v-day and then go out on our anniversary. But this year Tyler is out of town on our anniversary so we busted out the traditional valentine's date. We dropped off Jackson at some friends' in our ward and then headed over to J Alexanders & Pinkberry!




As we were leaving the restaurant we saw this amazing infiniti filled with balloons and topped with a bow in the parking lot - we were intrigued so kind of hung out in the car for a few minutes to see the person who was getting this amazing gift! Turns out, it was a father's gift to his 16 year-old daughter. Not what we were expecting at all - who the heck buys their teenager this car for valentine's day? Anyways it was a funny memory and i wish we got a picture of the family involved, flashy folks to say the least!

I was so grateful to spend the day with my two valentines :)

Since we've been home

After our whirlwind of holiday travels, we've spent the last few weeks at home. Well Jackson and I have been home - Tyler has been getting back into school, working all over central Florida and taken trips to Chicago & Costa Rica. Jackson and I love having him home when we can, but in the meantime have lots of fun together while it's just the two of us.

When we first got home Jackson was in heaven remembering all his old toys and then adding the new Christmas presents to the mix, he had plenty to entertain himself with.



I had the fun opportunity to take down Christmas decorations in the middle of January and go through a month worth of mail.



We have been going back to our favorite park and he couldn't help but run from the parking lot when we got there the first time. He loves this place and I must admit I love it too!



Tyler gave him a much needed haircut.



And we enjoyed our Disney passes for the month of January until they expired last week. We're probably not going to get them again until the fall, when baby sister is a bit older and the weather gets better. But this month we went to each park once, Tyler came with us to Magic Kingdom & Hollywood Studios.

Jackson loves riding the train!


Saying "cheese" on the carousal.


Taking it all in while riding the steamboat


Tyler got his highest score ever on our last Toy Story Mania ride!


Jackson was mesmerized during the Lights, Motor, Action show - especially when Lighting McQueen came out of course!



It is now a bit harder to take him to the grocery store because he's starting to recognize familiar faces on the boxes - here he was reaching for the crackers because of course Mater was on the box!


But little does he know, he doesn't care too much for crackers - he still prefers fruit any day and now really loves peaches!


Tyler totally planned his outfit after seeing what Jackson was wearing this morning.



At animal kingdom he finally had a happy meet & greet with a character - Goofy! The line wasn't too long and he was happy to meet his pal from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.


These pictures were taken by the disney employee with my iPod so they didn't turn out great but I was glad he now knows the characters and gets excited to see them. Too bad we're not going back for a long time!

Anyways, there was the rest of January via ipod pics - throw in a couple baby showers i helped throw, lots of house projects, and hosting book club and it made for a busy and fun month!

ps - a couple days later i'm remembering i wanted to share this recipe. super easy and i actually made it for both baby showers and book club because i'm obsessed with it right now and it's so easy - Feta Dip for French Bread. I found it on pinterest and the link is HERE. you are welcome.