The Fourth

Fourth of July Week was a fun one for us in Florida this year. Tyler and I realized it was our 7th together! We spent the first three in Utah and the last four in Florida. This year we weren't sure what to do since it was on a Wednesday. We ended up going to the beach that day and spent the night in Siesta Key.

The day before the Fourth (also known as the third) Tyler was working and the kids and I got ready for the trip. This was actually our first trip to the beach in Florida this summer so I wanted to get better beach and pool toys for Jackson. We got stocked up at target and also got some fruit and snacks for the trip. PS I totally bribe Jackson with popcorn at target - he is always on his best behavior so why stop, right? Jackson loves it and now associates target with popcorn so we are pretty much going to buy it every time for the next 10 years. But honestly the bag is huge for the little guy so he ends up snacking on it the rest of the day (before its magically all gone aka thrown away).

Who needs a popsicle when you can have popcorn!

Trying out our "4th of July" Watermelon, he would eat it all day if I let him!

That night we wanted to go do something fun so we ended up checking out the newest resort at Disney - the Art of Animation. It is amazing! They should really start desinging all of their hotels like this one. It has four sections, Lion King, Litle Mermaid, Cars & Finding Nemo. The Courtyards, Pools, Rooms and Lobby are all designed from those movies. Right now only the Nemo & Cars sections are open, but we still wanted to take a look!

Abbie posing in front of a coral reef playground and Tyler and Jackson with Crush.

Our favorite part was the Cars Courtyard where you feel like you are actually walking through radiator springs. They had the Cozy Cone Pool and all the favorite characters from the movie. Who needs Disneyland Cars Land when you can come here for free? :)

He is literally kissing McQueen. Obsessed.

He loved running from car to car, so excited!

The next morning we headed down to Siesta Key - it is just south of Tampa, about 2 hours away. But the reason we picked this beach is the sand! It is the softest whitest sand you've ever seen. Literally as fine as powdered sugar. We love it and hadn't been since Jackson was born. We also had some friends down there we met up with (but sadly took no pictures with)? and Tyler had work down there the next day.

On the Road!

Abbie lounging while Jackson played with his "BIG Trucks"

She slept most of the morning, so glad I brought her bouncer chair!

Close up of the sleeping beauty

Jackson & Tyler out in the water

   

I knew he loved peaches ... but had never given him a whole one before!

The kid was in heaven and sat there and devoured the whole thing.

That afternoon we headed to our hotel for much needed naptime, all four of us fell asleep for a couple hours! Then we got cleaned up and met back up with our friends (Jon and Semra) at their parents condo. We snapped a few pictures before heading out to the beach for fireworks.

Watching the sunset, waiting for the show to begin. Perfect weather with the softest sand on earth between our toes.

 

Had to document, Jackson got so scared of the people lighting fireworks right next to us he made Tyler cover his ears and played his ipod games. It was the only alternative that didn't end with him screaming or us leaving!

The next morning Jackson & Tyler got some more swimming time at the hotel.

Abbie and I lounged by the pool - love having a baby girl to chill with while the boys play :)

The hotel wouldn't give us 2 porta-cribs, and she couldn't fit so well in our queen bed, so here is the bed i made for her (and yes she is a tummy sleeper)

The kids and I hung out at the hotel while Tyler worked for a few hours, then we drove back to Orlando that afternoon. It was a quick trip but so fun :)


But after we got home I met up with my good friend and former roommate Megan Runyan! She was in Orlando for a couple days visiting family here and she was able to stop by our house then we all went out for dinner! It was great to see her again and introduce her to Abbie.

Me with Abbie & Megan at Giordanos.

This is how Jackson felt about waiting 45 minutes for pizza...

OK Last note - Abbie wore this outfit on the day after the 4th (aka the 5th) and here is Jackson wearing it 2 years ago, just a few weeks age difference. Same dimples, same tongue, same chub, love my babies!