On Friday June 4 Mommy, Daddy and Lauren boarded Southwest Airlines at the new PC airport for a quick 60 minute flight to Orlando. Considering that we have done this trip in the car countless times, a direct flight out of the new airport was heaven!!! Hopefully no more 5-1/2 hour drives any time soon. We have had this trip planned since early Spring to go during the time Eric's office would be closed for the last few days of public school. We were so excited to see our friends in Orlando, even if it had been only one month since our last visit. Our original plan was to fly back home on Tuesday, but when we found out that Mark and Mary had scheduled Kaylee and Ashlynn's baptism the following Sunday, we couldn't stand the thought of missing such an important event. So, Lauren and I stayed for 10 days and Eric went back home to work Wednesday-Friday then returned to be with us Friday night through Monday morning when we all flew back home together.
Here we are with the 'big stroller' waiting to board the plane.
Our flight left at 7:40pm so Bunny, naturally, went with us. There was no sleeping though; too much fun playing with mommy and daddy.
This was the first plane ride that Lauren enjoyed looking out the window. So cute.
We had a great hour flight (did I mention that 1 hour in the air is so much better than 5-1/2 hours in my little car?) and were excited to be in Orlando!!
With a little one, the smallest of events are HUGE! Like riding the bus to pick up the rental car.
The next day, Mary and I decided that the two Daddy's deserved a massage so we sent them off to Shingle Creek for a little relaxation while we caught up with each other's girls. The last time we were in Subway, it was the day that Mary delivered the girls and she was holding Lauren while in line to order. Now look at us!!! 4-1/2 months later!
Ashlynn
Kaylee
Lauren
Sisters...sweetest smiles!
This picture is to document the snap-n-go carseat that we will soon retire. I will definitely miss it!
We went to our old church (First Presbyterian--which we LOVE) on Sunday and lunch with Aunt Whitney, Uncle Joey and boys. Lauren loves watching JB and Noah.
I feel like I'm watching Lauren grow in pictures while swinging on this swing.
On Sunday night, we went to celebrate Mark's Dad's birthday. Delicious Lebanese food...always so good!
Enjoying my time with Ashlynn
Lauren absolutely loves pools. We took her to Aunt Whitney's on Monday for some fun.
Ashlynn and her dada
At my request, Kelli made Lauren a miniature version of my white rose. Kelli is so talented and now Lauren matches all of us big girls. :-)
Lauren was so proud of her necklace! She definitely knew that she was wearing it but wouldn't pull on it or mess with it.
My girls know how to treat me right and with extra love on my birthday. Eric left for home the night before and I was treated to lunch and a massage with Mary then a girls' dinner at Brio followed by Sex and the City 2!! I enjoyed myself so much and love these girls so much. This night made me miss Orlando so, so, so bad. I treasure the little time I have with them now. Thank you, girls for an awesome night together!
Sweet as sugar...
Mary with her arms full of joy!
On Thursday afternoon, Lauren and I went on a very important field trip with Ashlynn and her mommy while Kaylee stayed at home with Daddy. Ashlynn got her first haircut!
She was such a good girl!!
Lauren was all eyes. She loved being there with all the blowdryers going on and mirrors everywhere. It was a little bit of paradise for her!!
Because the girls were so good, we treated them to a walk around the Millennia Mall. hahaha. I guess this is what it would have been like with twins, huh!
This was during her naptime, so Bunny came along with us.
Photo session with coordinating outfits that Aunt Mary bought for them.
"Hey! This is fun!"
"See my cheetah!?"
"Here, Ashlynn, you can have mine..."
"...and I'll take yours!"
Isn't this the cutest smile??!!!!
One day soon, they'll all be standing together!
So, I've gotten in the terrible habit of letting Lauren play/plunder/empty everything in my purse and wallet whenever I need to get something done. She'll sit there for 20-30 minutes looking at each card!
Sweet Lauren enjoying her swing with her big girl necklace on.
On Friday, all 20-something of Mary's family arrived in Orlando for the baptism. Mary has 6 nieces and Lauren loved all the attention they gave her. While we were there, there were 9 girls--no boys! I didn't plan on Lauren swimming, but I let her anyway. She loves it! Nothing on but a diaper and her Lucky Rose necklace.
Friday afternoon, Lauren and I left to check-in to our hotel at the Gaylord, get settled, and then be at the airport to pick Eric up at 9:30pm. We ate dinner inside the hotel and Lauren was such a good girl! We sat close to a big aquarium and she loved looking at the big fish. Our service we very slow and we were in the restaurant for an hour but thank goodness Lauren was okay with it. Lauren sat and ate for a solid 45 minutes! I have no idea where all of the food goes. She had her grilled cheese and fruit then my rolls and grouper and grits.
This picture may look scary but the balcony was very secure, I promise! Lauren loved looking at all the people below, waving to them and listening to the waterfall in the conservatory. Love, love, love this hotel. :-)
The port-a-crib and towels/bumper/soaps...I felt like we were on a cruise!
When we all 3 arrived back from the airport, Eric had arranged for wine and fruit and cheese to be delivered to our room for my birthday! I was very surprised! It was so sweet of him!
Ready to go swimming and wanting to take Bunny with her.
Awesome pool. Lauren loved it! See the slide in the background? Eric and I took Lauren on it 3 times. She really liked it! When we got to the top, she would squeal and clap her hands. She was either anticipating what was about to happen or she was seeing him/me at the bottom waiting. It was fun for us too!
Lunch break by the pool with JB and Noah
Our travel high chair set-up
JB paying attention to the baptism Sunday afternoon
All of Mary and Mark's family standing watch over the baptism.
Lauren having a good time with Dada, Hayden, and Noah
High-tech toddlers: playing with an I-Phone
Kaylee and Ashlynn with their God parents.
All 7 of us!
Us three, 5 babies later...
Kaitlyn giving Lauren tons of attention
and Hailey too! I love this picture of the two of them! Can't you see Lauren's personality growing and busting at the seams?!!!!
Lauren has now learned how to crawl up stairs. Scary thought.
The Ashy men with Ashlynn
Noah and Lauren
and now with JB
See what I mean about personality?!?!!
Lauren (11-1/2 months) with Ashy friends' twins (born on the same day as Ashlynn and Kaylee 4-1/2 months), Ashlynn, Kaylee, and Rixon (4 months)
Again, didn't think about bringing her swimsuit...but that's okay!!
After a long day of celebrating the girls' baptism, Lauren is done.
We arrived back in Panama City at 8:30 am (so early!) and was ready to start our day! You would have thought that we had taken Lauren out of the country for an entire year because she was welcomed home a few hours later by Aunt Kay, Mitchell, Granddaddy, Ganny, Uncle Dick, and Aunt Nan. Lauren is one very loved little girl.
But she has one very special place in her heart for her Daddy.
