Fun in the Sun

Last week we packed our bags and flew to Stuart, Florida for a week-long visit with Evan's dad. We were fairly nervous about flying with the boys this far (especially Miles!) but we loaded up a backpack full of fun, new snacks and toys, crossed our fingers, and hoped for the best...lucky for us, the boys did really well (in fact, we were so relieved to have escaped any major in-flight meltdowns that Evan and I literally high-fived each other when the plane touched down in Florida!).

We had a really wonderful week- a good mix of fun and relaxation. Evan and his dad enjoyed some great fishing, I was treated to a mani/pedi and massage at the spa (a Mother's Day surprise from my sweet hubby), and the boys spent every day at the beach- they could not get enough of the sand and water! We really enjoyed the opportunity to spend a whole week with Evan's dad- it was nice to catch up and spend time together as a family.

Miles and I enjoying a special Mother's Day brunch

I'll give you a Happy Mother's Day smile, but I'm really into my coloring too!

Riding on Pop-Pop's golf cart might have been the highlight of Jack's trip- he asked to go for a spin at least once a day.

We were spoiled by beautiful weather the whole week- perfect for long stretches of time at the beach.

Check out the little beach bum

I would like to spend every Mother's Day like this!

Buckets and shovels- these 2 little boys needed nothing else for entertainment

We also spent a morning at the Florida Oceanographic Society- Miles was sure he could climb right into the tank!

Jack at the touch pool

Jack, Daddy, and Pop-Pop feeding the sting rays.

Waffles are a delicious start to the morning

The boys "doing construction" (as Jack called sand castle building)

We celebrated Pop-Pop's birthday with a special dinner out

Happy Birthday Pop-Pop!

More sandcastle fun on our last beach day

Fun at the Jelly Belly Factory

I am behind in posting these pictures, but better late than never! While my mom was on spring break we met up in Fairfield for the Jelly Belly factory tour (Grandpa joined us for the fun). We are counting down to her retirement this June so that we can enjoy more fun days like this. Jack really had a great time- he loved the giant cranes that move the pallets of jelly bellies the best. He also thought the samples they pass out along the tour were pretty tasty. Miles was another story...he did not want to stay in the stroller and made his unhappiness known. No snacks are allowed on the tour (my usual trick for quieting him down!) so we did our best to keep him happy and entertained. It reminded me of when we took 15 month old Jack to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and all he wanted to do was get out of the stroller and run around. I find this age kind of challenging at times...good thing he's such a cutie pie!

Jack was pretty impressed by this giant jelly belly out front.

Making a silly face after quite a few jelly beans!

Hanging out in the Jelly Belly store.

This is how Miles spent most of the tour...

Good times!