Florida!

When my mom proposed a trip to Florida back in the beginning of April, I thought she was kidding. I have been "craving" a trip to FL for a few years now...we used to go all the time when I was growing up, but I haven't been in several years. My body knew it was time for some sunshine, beaches, and warm weather! :) Anyways, my aunt (my mom's older sister) and her husband just retired about a year ago and moved from PA down to Lake Mary, FL (just outside Orlando) and my mom had been wanting to go for a visit. We booked our tickets and three weeks later we were on the plane heading south! We were sad to leave Viktor behind, but so thankful he gave us his blessing to go and have girl time...he had a lot of work to do for the end of the semester and it probably worked out for the best that we were gone.

I had flown once with Emily when she was just 5 months old, so she didn't remember it. She was a trooper and enjoyed every minute of our flight. Thank goodness for lollipops, sweet flight attendants, and non-stop flights!

Here we are getting ready for take off...

Mimi packed all kinds of toys, books, playdoh, etc to keep Em entertained...We arrived late Monday night and woke up to a beautiful morning. And this is where we spent most of our day on Tuesday...poolside...with a big alligator friend swimming in the pond behind their house...

Time to lotion up!

Relaxin' by the pool...

On Wednesday we packed up and headed to New Smyrna Beach. Here is Emily dancing to our beach song before we left...she was excited to play in the "big sand box" as she called it...

Her first time at the ocean...with Aunt Lynn...

Sooooo fun!
We missed daddy so much!
She absolutely loved the water...she would just sit there and let all the waves
come crash up on her...Weeeeeeeee....fun!

On Thursday we went to Mt. Dora, which is a cute little antique town nearby. We shopped, had a nice lunch overlooking the lake, and shared a cupcake at the cute little cupcake shop.

On Friday we woke up early (with the exception of Emily) to watch the Royal Wedding. Emily and my aunt dressed up for the occasion and my aunt had cute decorations, tea, and snacks.

Friday afternoon was supposed to be the space shuttle lift-off and we were going to drive to watch it. We were about to pull out of the neighborhood when my uncle called us to say they had postponed it for another day.
So we played at a park instead.On Saturday we packed up and went to the Central Florida Zoo. This was Emily's first trip to a zoo and it was perfect. It wasn't big or crowded and Emily had a blast. She is at a great age to locate and talk about the animals that she knows.

My little monkey....

Perhaps her favorite part!

She also loved riding the train all around the property.

Sunday was the day...Disney World! I was a little hesitant about taking Em at such a young age, but my mom was up for the challenge. Turns out, Emily loved it! We had a great day and she was so happy the entire time. It could not have been better. We arrived a little before 9am and stayed until a little after 3pm...all day without a nap. She rode on the Dumbo ride, carousel, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, It's a Small World, train, Pirates of the Caribbean,
and went to the Country Bear Jamboree.

I think she was a little shocked upon arriving...

We made it to the 3 o'clock parade and then hit the ferry boat back to the parking lot. She didn't make it much longer...

We had a great week...beautiful, sunny weather and great memories shared by all. I'm so thankful to my mom for treating us and for my aunt and uncle for hosting us.

Ahhhh...refreshed!