Fall Florida Trip

Each year in September or October we head down to Destin, Florida for a 4-5 day trip. It is highly anticipated ALL YEAR!!! This was our 4th year to go with Mimi and Papa. We decided to wait and use your Fall Break this year, Caitlyn, so it was later in October. We always eat at the Donut Hole the first morning ..............

Then head to the grocery to do our grocery shopping................

Because it was later in the month, it was MUCH cooler. We only made it out to the beach two days this year. We tried to make those days stretch and spent several hours out playing in the sun.

Caitlyn, you continue to be the water girl. You stayed in the water most all day....

Caroline, you tend to be our sand girl and spent a lot of time building sand castles and collecting shells. Mommy spent A LOT of time sitting in this chair and taking pictures. I had just begun to feel really nauseated from the little "sprinkle" in my belly. The two of you didn't know at this point...it was really hard not to tell you why I was sitting and doing "nothing" most all week!!!

There were tons of jelly fish this time....here is Papa pointing a big one out to you, Caroline. We had to really watch out!

Cuddle time..........

Collecting shells with Mimi........she is a great shell finder!!!

Sweet moments...........

I like this picture............you can tell how cold it was. We had gone over to the Wharf to eat that night and were FREEZING!!!!

We ended up inside a lot and spent the time playing lots of games!!! Here you are beating Daddy at MEMORY, Caroline!

WE LOVE TO BIKE RIDE!!! This is our favorite thing we do while there. It was cool, but we headed out anyway one morning. Caroline, you got to be the very first child to try their new double bike contraption. You were nervous at first, but ended up having a ball. Caitlyn, this was your first year to ride your very own bike, big girl!! Since Daddy is training for the half marathon, he ended up running beside of all of us instead of biking.

Having fun at our midway stop at the Wharf playground..........

Hanging out indoors..............

You two brought your GLOWDOODLES...a fun new toy that kept you busy for hours inside the condo and the car..............nice!!!!!!!!!!!

Our last day at the beach.........enjoying a walk with Daddy!

I love how you always seem to make friends while we are at the beach. It is so fun watching you interact with others and find fun things to do together. Watching the jelly fish............

Limbo...................

Diggin holes..................

Caroline, you got a kite for your birthday. It was the perfect windy weather to fly it. You and Daddy spent lots of time and entertained all around..........

My pretty girls........on our last night at the Back Porch restaurant. Another great way to end our favorite trip! Next year will be a little different........we'll have a 4 month old enjoying the sand for the first time! Amazing how much can happen in one year!!!!!!!!!

How can you be five?

This was a hard one for me...my baby turning five years old. Five just isn't little anymore in so many ways....and your five came sooo quickly, Caroline. You were JUST born it seems. In these last five years, you have brought us more joy and laughter to fill a lifetime. You are our sensitive, humorous, busy, compassionate and perceptive little girl. You enjoy girly things, but can hang with the boys, too. You love to do what Caitlyn does...wonder how long that will last? You also LOVE to irritate her, too...the job of a little sister, I suppose. You like to try new things, even if they are difficult. You still enjoy helping me cook and love to sample anything sweet!!!
Speaking of sweet, we decided for your birthday this year to celebrate at breakfast time at a new place...the Funky Griddle. We had heard about how neat it was and wanted to try it.

You get to cook your own pancakes on a griddle at your table. We had to wait awhile to get a table, but it was well worth it. They put us out on the screened in porch, where we had plenty of room and space to celebrate!! Mammi, Big Daddy, Mimi and Papa joined us, as well as Josue' and Mariana.

Your favorite were the ones we made with M&Ms inside.......mmmmm...that's my sweet tooth girl!!!

Caitlyn, you loved to flip...you got really good at it, too!

Checking out the new camera!

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A new bike!!!!!!!!!

Later that day, we allowed you to invite a few friends to go bowling. What a fun time we all had!!!

The ladies of the lanes...............

After bowling, Paisley and Ashlyn got to come over for a slumber party! Your first.........of many, I'm sure!

Getting ready to make pizza!

I lucked out this year and didn't have to buy or make a cake...these cupcakes were perfect for the four princesses!!!

Watching a movie..........

...playing Pretty, Pretty Princess game...........

and yes, you ALL three slept all night!!!!!!!!!!

Here you are at school the next week. You and I made cupcakes with sprinkles for your class. I got to come and enjoy lunch and share in another celebration of YOU!!!!!!!

Happy 5th Birthday, sweet Caroline!!!!!!!! We love you unconditionally for ALL eternity.