Ormond Beach 2011

I know, I know, it has been over a month since my last post! A lot has happened since then and I will provide updates/pictures for each of the latest events (i.e. Kate starting preschool!) very soon.

Tonight, I will start with what is freshest on my mind....vacation! We just returned yesterday from a wonderful week in Ormond Beach. Ronnie and Diane have been so gracious to allow us to spend a week with them in Florida the past several years. With our growing family; however, they may soon retract this offer as our vacations have quickly gone from relaxing to rowdy. With a 4 year old and an eight month old to entertain, Kevin and I are no longer sure what the word "relaxation" means....regardless of our location. Although vacations may no longer be relaxing, they are fun-filled and eventful and we wouldn't have it any other way!  With this being said, I must admit how nice it is to have Ronnie and Diane there to help with the kids – it certainly made our week much easier (I was able to read an entire book – the first one since Monkey has been born!)

We had a great week.  We visited family, went to Sea World, swam, hunted for seashells (i.e. Mommy bought big shells and put them in the sand so Kate could 'find' them :), ate great food and most importantly, just spent time together.  Kate was one lucky girl last week, which would explain her sadness as we packed our bags Saturday morning.  Let’s just be honest, the week revolved around her!  At Sea World, we watched every show on the calendar (Kate LOVES shows…she chose this over Disney!), we went swimming in the pool and the ocean from the moment she awoke until it was time for dinner and we ate A LOT of ice cream!  This, my friends, is a little taste of Heaven for a 4 year old.  Not to mention that she had DeDe and Papaw there to spoil her even more than Mommy and Daddy (if that is possibleJ)!

Hayes didn’t have a bad week himself.  This was his first vacation, and he seemed to enjoy himself as well.  He loved the water.  He splashed and giggled while watching big sister jump in.  He was amazed by the sand and examined it closely.  Mostly, I think enjoyed our morning walks – nothing is more relaxing than an early stroller ride!  The poor little guy has been cutting his two top teeth, but as always, he didn’t let it get him down.  All week, he remained the happy little guy that I love more than words can describe. 

The great part of going to Ormond Beach is that I have lots of family that live either in Ormond or very close. As you know, I lost a very special person in my life only 8 days after Hayes was born - my grandfather (Papa). Because Hayes was only 1 week old at the time, I was unable to travel to FL to attend Papa’s funeral services. Although I was able to see him in December, I felt like I never had the chance to say a final goodbye. This trip gave me that opportunity. One of the first mornings after we arrived, Hayes and I took a walk before sunrise. We went to the park where there is a bench memorializing both my grandfather and my dear uncle, whom we lost 3 years ago. As I sat on their bench that morning, watching the sunrise, I felt like I was finally able to say goodbye to a man that was so important to me and had such a huge impact on my life.  I made this a routine.  Hayes and I took a walk almost every morning to get a Starbucks and sit on Uncle Mike and Papa’s bench to watch the sunrise. 

I was also able to see my dear grandparents, Mamoo and Poppy.  While we didn’t get to stay long, it was still a wonderful visit.  We talked, laughed (as we always do with my grandmother), and had some great food – all the ingredients for a perfect afternoon.  In addition, we were able to have breakfast and spend a little time with my other Grandmother, Mima.  Lastly, we met up with a couple uncles, aunts and cousins…I even got to meet sweet baby Aiden, my second cousin.

As you see, we had a wonderful week.  I could go on forever about everything we did, but instead I will stop now and just let the pictures tell the rest of the story!  I am ever so grateful to have such a wonderful family to spend our vacation with.    

Here we go!

Movie + cookie = good flight

Breakfast time!  A Davis favorite

Waiting patiently for day 1 of swimming

Cheeseball ready for his first swim

Loving the water

Happy boy!

Happy girl

Trying to take it all in

Wow, Dad.  This is a big bath tub

First dip in the ocean

Taking a swim with Mommy

Mommy and the babies

Building 'sand castles' with my baby girl

Going to take a dip

beautiful.

On a sea shell hunt

Look what she found (Mommy bought them and put
 them in the sand so she could 'find' them.  shhhh)

I can hear the water, Daddy!

When did she get so big?

Kate and Daddy running from the waves

Monkey taking a bath in the sink

Blue Horizon's Dolphin Show!

Whales!

Too much for one day

Uncle Mike and Papa's bench

The view from the bench

Kate feeding Hayes her applesauce

Papaw and the little guy

What is this?

chunky feet!!

A flash forward to our future - Hayes trying to get Kate's toys

Kate and DeDe hanging out on the beach

DeDe and the kiddos

Waiting for the water to wash her sand away

Hayes watches her every move

:)

Fun!