Finally!

Traveling is something I grew up loving to do.  A break from reality.  A way to forgot about the normal, everyday stresses and relax, rejuvenate yourself and come back refreshed.  I know the boys are young, but I wanted them to remember (or have a feeling of) traveling and spending time with the family learning about a new place.

We didn't save our dollars, or our quarters, nickles or dimes...we saved every single one of our pennies.  I was so excited and proud to be able to take them on an adventure out of this cold, cold place.

The Skyline Bridge

Every since I can remember, my Grandparents have been going to Southwest Florida during the winter months.  Growing up we went almost every spring break to visit them.  Thinking back to it, the last time I went was probably my sophomore year of high school.  Andy had never been and we wanted to go and see them.  We flew into Florida late Friday night and stayed in my Grandparents area (Fort Myers area) until Monday morning.

We paid many tolls for the bridges down there and of course Aiden didn't fall asleep until we were about to pull into my Grandparent's neighborhood.

My Grandma made a home made chicken nugget dinner for us.  Aiden colored, Alex played and my Grandpa and Andy caught up while dinner was getting ready.  It was so good to see them again!

Aiden sat quietly by my Grandma on the stool while she was getting the salads ready.  Of course he got a little to eat too.

My Grandma had worked so hard to make cute little place mats for the boys.  They even had their names stitched onto them.

My Grandparents have a canal in their back yard where the birds come and sit.  They have been known to have an alligator back there and we were kind of hoping to see one, but he didn't make an appearance this time.  We did see a turtle swimming though!  

My Grandpa taught Aiden and Alex to yell at the birds to get them to go away and boy did they catch onto that lesson fast!

We came back the next day to take my Grandparents out to dinner.  They took us to the Waterfront restaurant on St. James Island.  It was a cute little restaurant that you color on the paper at your table and then they may hang it up on the wall.  The wall is covered in colorings. 

My Grandma taught Alex to play tic-tac-toe.  He liked the game, but is a bit of a cheater!  He would cover up the spot he didn't want my Grandma to go in.  Just like his....

After dinner, we went back to my Grandparents' house for a while.  These are their banana trees.  Unfortunately, no bananas at this time though.  My Grandpa loves to do stained glass things.  He has made us so many picture frames, geese, and even a gorgeous lamp.  They all have lights by their drive ways down there.  He made their own and a neighbors light and I thought it was gorgeous!

My Grandma served up some delicious ice cream and Aiden had a great time making faces at her.

Alex and my Grandpa played rock-paper-scissors, which Alex thought was really cool!

We had a fun time sitting around with my Grandparents for the rest of the time.  The boys played horse, my Grandma sang some songs with their feet, and my Grandpa and Andy had a martini.

Alex and my Grandpa invented a new game of fishing that they both really enjoyed...

It was sooo great to see them again.  Not too long and they will be home for the summer.

We finally were able to visit them!