Life As I Know It

This Blog has taken me FAR too long to write. 

It was my goal this weekend to finish it, so I used nap time and bed time to sit my butt down and get it done.

There is a lot going on right now in the lives of this Welbourn family and we also just got a new computer that I am still not used to.  It makes the editing and uploading process a lot harder and more time consuming.  Things are busy, and I have loads of photos and things to update on once this post is finished so with no further ado......the Florida Trip of 2013!

Since our flight was early in the morning, we decided it would be best to sleep overnight in Detroit so that we didn't have to wake Kiptyn SUPER early in order to drive all the way to the airport.  We left in good time the day before the flight so we ended up shopping a bit, going out for dinner, using the pool, and relaxing in the hotel before bed.  Kiptyn LOVED the pool even though the water wasn't very warm.

Here he is watching Bubble Guppies just before bed.

We made it!

Pretty much as soon as we got to the condo, Kippy boo had a nap.  He did not sleep on the plane and therefore was a very tired boy by lunchtime.

I loved how cozy he looked while napping so I took pictures of him almost every day. How could I not???

In the morning, Kiptyn and I usually went for a long walk in our pajamas (well he was in his pajamas...) once it was light outside so we didn't wake everyone else up.  He was very excited for his vacation and decided that 4am was a good time to get up pretty much every day.

This kid would live outside if I let him.

Every morning he would stand by the gate and give me the "eyes"....waiting for the moment he was free to run.

And MAN would he run!

The yellow speed bump was a favourite hot spot which would take up at least 20 minutes.

The condo has a fenced in play yard so Kiptyn and Grandma and Grandpa played a lot in the little pool.  He would throw a golf ball in, ask for a hand to get into the pool to retrieve it, climb back out and repeat....over and over and over again.

 

 

 

Most days, he would end up like this...

 

And then we would head to the big pool!

Daddy practised floating with little man  just like they did at swimming lessons.

 

Grandpa and Kiptyn going for a dip

 We went out to dinner a couple of times and went shopping.  Many opportunities to run like the wind and soak up the sun.

Bug was able to try out his new summer shoes finally...a gift from Santa

At Target!

Out for seafood

 

Another night a Bahama Breeze.  I love it here....it screams ocean and summer and Jimmy Buffet

Mama's drink...

Kiptyn's drink

 Shades are totally cool

 

And little Kipster knows how to pose

And knows how to nap (Daddy is a great teacher)

Early morning patio play

Mama, can we go now?

Of course a vacation wouldn't be a vacation without a little square mouth!

One of the highlights of the trip for me was our evening beach sunset with some of the most amazing Mamas and their adorable kidlets.  We had never met in person, but have been friends online for some time now and decided that it was time to meet. Dave (our token male for the night) helped us run after many runaway children while we tried to chat and catch up in real life as best we could.  We left in the early evening and arrived at the beautiful beach in Naples for a picnic dinner.

Of course as soon as we got there Bug's hat flew off from the wind and he ran directly for the salty ocean soaking himself from head to toe.

 

 

These two daredevils had to be watched very closely as they both had no fear of the rolling waves and ended up head first in the ocean. 
(Mr. Kiptyn and Mr. Holden-only a few months apart)

Holden the Great

And his twinny twin brother Mason 

(Sweet Mama Ashley was chasing one or the other or playing with their super cute big brother Grant)

Just look at the joy on his face!

We were joined by the beautiful Tahlia and her adorable daughter Miss Aniston (far left).  

This little sweetheart made the connection that porta-potties smell like "men".  

I love her.

Finally, the amazing Naomi and two of her four little girlies came as well.  

Here she is with Finn (also within months of Kiptyn's age)

 

And here is Finn's fancy free sister Sydney dancing in the ocean.  

I seriously took a million photos of this little dancer jumping in the waves at sunset.  

She is as angelic in real life as in the photos and videos I have been seeing of her over the internet.

 

I love these stunning ladies and was so happy to have finally met them in person.  I wish we could have seen more of each other but I promise to come back and visit again.  
You women live in such a beautiful place it is no wonder you have beautiful hearts to match.

A few more from the evening...

An attempt at a picture of the four of us....Kiptyn had other ideas

The Clan (minus two kids and one Dave)

And as the sun set... 

 

I watched this sweetheart dance along the shore... 

 

And we all clapped (a Naples magnificent tradition) as people lined the boardwalk to get one last glance of the radiant orange sun before it sunk into the ocean.

 Kiptyn really enjoyed being able to run free without putting on a snowsuit and layers of clothing to keep warm for a week.

 

And on the plane home he settled into Daddy's lap to watch Bubble Guppies.

It was a much needed escape from the cold and dreary Canadian winter. 

Until next time friends ...