Vacation

We are so happy to move on from this ^^^^^ and start playing in the sunshine! (Although I did have to share our one snow picture for the year.) We got an early start by going on a month long vacation! A much anticipated vacation. A much needed vacation. And as it turned out a perfect vacation.

(but before I tell about it let us stop and note how much I love this little boy!) Mostly well because I can't seem to figure out how to move the picture to a different spot in the text.'

We drove to Albuquerque with such excitement. Two days of perfect children driving most happily, a stop at a hotel (which to a 2yr old and almost 1 yr old seems like the greatest adventure to explore a hotel room). A swim in the pool and on to meet Grandma and Grandpa (and Krystalyn and Tanner of course). We arrived at the Sloans a little tired and VERY glad to get out of the car. Rachel excitedly played in balloons scattered for her mothers birthday then went to the park with her beloved Krystalyn. Approximately an hour after forsaking the car poor Rachel was brought back to it in tears! The plan: to celebrate her mothers birthday at a restaurant. Rachels thoughts ' I am not leaving! I drove 2 whole days in a car to see grandma and Krytalyn and only get to stay for 1 hour? I think not!' It was a glorious fit (one i might throw as well had i the same understanding). Her distress was sweet in the fact that she truely loves her extended family! Switching up riders in the cars solved the problem and we promised her we would see lots of grandma and grandpa and K&T. A few days to settle in and we went and visited Grandma and Grandpa in Utah. We had a fun time playing with cousins, seeing Grandma and Grandpa, swimming, hiking, seeing old friends!, and even riding the horse. On our way 'home' we were trying to explain that we were going back to see Grandma and Grandpa Sloan and Rachel says, 'ya and the horses'. Well, the horses were what we just left and not what we were going to. It was neat to see her get so excited to see her extended family! She keeps calling a few of her friends here Tyla (her cousin).

We'll after recovering a few days we flew to Florida!!!! For spring break! What a great time we had. I wished we had more pictures, but my camera was out of commission. While there we visited Universal Studios, Wet'N Wild, and Discovery Cove. The children were patient as we mostly did adult focused activities (which filled my fun meter to the brim. Just what I needed). They stayed in the stroller a lot, but we did have some fun going on a train and playing in Dr. Suess's playground. Rachel also went on one Wet 'N Wild ride and entertained us by chasing two seagulls through the sand for at least a half hour. They wouldn't fly away. I loved the 'Harry Potter Village' and the ride! I got my feel of roller coasters for well, maybe the rest of my life! haha. I am not the biggest coaster fan. But I did appease Tyson by being brave and going on a few. Some I even liked. After all this fun, the best thing happened! The kids flew home with the grandparents and that left just us two.

Tyson found a beautiful resort (for really cheap on priceline). Did I mention it was BEAUTIFUL! The origional plan was to take a cruise. But we couldn't get it to line up with our other activities. Soo... we settled for a all-inclusive day at a private place with dolphin swims, coral reef, and aviary with a warm lazy river running through it. Okay I don't think it was settling because it was AMAZING! Take a look at the guy below:

He is kind of hard to see, but if you look closely it is a big manta ray. big as in bigger than Tyson. We spent hours looking at the fish. We also fed birds. I was surprised at how fun it was to feed the birds. Tyson was the bird whisperer. Any bird he wanted to come to him he could get. I loved the sand...(sigh)...the sun... (sigh).. and the water (sigh, yes and another sigh). For some reason it just gets me right here. I would have to say that this was one of the best days of my whole life! After caring for two young children for so long, I could finally step back and relax (on a beach no less :) I could do whatever I wanted. . . and I did. The food was included and I enjoyed tasting the salmon(because I'm in Florida and had to have fish sometime) and icees, and ice cream, and lemondade. I took a moment on the beach to lay and relax, no kids, no husband (he was busy looking at the fish), and no worries (when has that ever happened?). I feel another 'sigh' coming on. Anyway we had a good time. At a later date I will describe our day at Busch Gardens sans kids.

This little guy is truely on the move. He wants to run so badly. Today at the park I could almost say he was being successful.

Can you see his mischeivious look. Caleb is full of loves and snuggles for his mother, but he also can cause trouble if he has his mind set.

sweet baby boy

Two little helpers:

Now I can't do anything without the 'help' of four extra hands. I used to say I needed extra hands, but I didn't think my wish would come true. And now that it has, I am not sure that this is how I entended it! haha

We are back in our small two bedroom apartment once again. Now we look forward to purchasing a vehicle and moving into a bigger place.