Last week, we spent the week in Siesta Key, Florida with Nana and Papa Brauchler, Uncle Scott, Auntie Ashley and Cousin Elli. We had a great week and only wish it could have lasted longer. Kensley did great and experienced lots of new things.
In an effort to remember our first vacation (and because I don't scrapbook), here is a brief rundown of the week. Warning...this is a long post with lots of pictures. We flew down to Florida last Saturday afternoon and Kensley experienced her first plane ride. Overall she did pretty well, but it was the longest two hours Jeremy and I have had in a while. It's much more difficult than we imagined to entertain a moving and very active 8 month old in one spot for two hours. Kensley was exhausted and fussy near the end of the flight due to lack of sleep. She will not sleep anywhere, but her crib/pack n play and occasionally her carseat (if she is exhausted) so she went from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with no naps at all. By the time we got into the car to head to the condo, she finally fell asleep. Saturday night we ordered pizza, unpacked, grocery shopped and got all settled into the condo.
Happy little girl, ready for her first plane ride!
The air conditioning unit at the Indy airport kept her entertained for quite a while.
We made it! Exhausted and ready for a nap!
Sunday morning we woke up to some rain, but were able to enjoy the beach and pool in the afternoon. Kensley's naps were longer than normal on Sunday as she was exhausted from her lack of sleep on Saturday. We went out to dinner and then came back and saw a number of firework shows on the beach from our condo.
Playing with Papa in the baby beach tent.
Looks like she's having fun!
First time in the sand and ocean
Not quite sure what she thinks of it.
This little girl is a ham!
Monday it rained all day so we took the opportunity to hit up the outlet malls. Papa stayed with the girls so they could nap and play at the condo. For the majority of the week, Kensley and Elli were pretty much on the same nap schedule. It worked out well so we could have them at the beach and pool at the same time; however, Papa had his hands full as they'd often wake up at the same time and both need fed, changed and want to be held.
Matching outfits...looks like they're sharing a laugh about something.
Picture time with Nana and Papa.
Relaxing with mommy before bed.
The rest of the week, the weather was great. We spent lots of time at the pool and beach. Kensley LOVED the water and in between naps spent a lot of time in the pool and occasionally the ocean. Kens wasn't the biggest fan of the sand...she'd only tolerate it for a few minutes at a time. The heat, sun and swimming seemed to exhaust her and she took 3 good naps each day...often around 8 am, 11ish and 2:30ish. We tried to stretch her bedtime to 8ish some nights when we were out to dinner, but it was definitely a struggle as she was exhausted from full days.
Just lounging by the pool
Floating by herself
Little cutie crawling around at cousin Carol's house.
She loves her daddy!
Swimming!
Funny little face
The condo was great and a perfect size for us. It was right on the beach and we each had our own bedrooms and bathrooms. Kensley spent a lot of time crawling around, pulling herself up and standing. Kensley enjoyed interacting a little with her cousin. They both were aware of each other and would stare and smile at each other. It's only a matter of time before they are playing with each other and running all over the place.
Sweet little Elli Belly
My two favorite people.
I love the expression on her face in this picture...I think she looks so grown up!
The only family pic we took all week.
Matching outfits again!
Playing with daddy in the ocean.
Hmm...I think I like the pool better.
She loved standing on the pool steps.
Hi, Elli!
View down the beach
More matching outfits...their shirts say "I had fun with Nana and Papa in Longboat Key, Fl"
Playing with Papa in the pool
Bath time!
She loved playing with the straws...we went through lots of straws at each dinner.
On Saturday morning before we all left, we had breakfast at my parent's favorite breakfast place...The Broken Egg. Dick Vitale frequents there and they usually see him there each time they come to Florida. We picked the right day and he was there signing autographs and taking pics.
As Jeremy said...the girls met their first hall-a-famer!
What a week! Elli must of had too much fun. She cashed out sitting up at breakfast.
This little girl on the other hand was wired! She "talked" non-stop during breakfast!
Group family shot before we left
Quick stop at the outlet mall. Nana walked Kens around the shoe store.
Watching for our plane and saying farewell to Florida...we hope to visit you again soon!
Kens did much better on the flight home. Although she was exhausted, Jeremy and I were able to keep her entertained...passing her back and forth, letting her play on the floor at our feet, feeding her puffs (I hate to think how many puffs she consumed this past week), switching up toys and reading books. She made it fuss free until the plane landed...then she was ready to get off! She went to bed a little later last night due to getting home past her bedtime, feeding and changing her, etc, but she did manage to actually sleep in until 7:15 a.m. today! That felt wonderful as this past week she woke us up every morning between 5:45 a.m. and 6:15 a.m. ready to start the day.
Thanks for the great week, Mom and Dad! We had a great time and made some great memories!
