We spent last week in Naples, FL with aunt Karey to celebrate her --th birthday! Delaney has been taught from a very early age we NEVER discuss a woman's age but it was a major one! We packed up the car and headed to the airport. I am not a "get to the airport 2 hours early" kind of person. But after almost missing our flight (for the second year in a row I might add) I may become one. As we were approaching our gate on Saturday afternoon, the intercom said "the gate for flight 605 to Naples, Florida will be closing in ONE minute". I never want to hear that again.
After boarding, and Delaney saying hi to every single passenger we were safely in our seats! I cannot begin to tell you how well this little girl did on the flight. It was her 3rd time flying and she was a pro (Paris here we come!) After the plane landed there were a couple of passengers who even commented what an "angel" she was! Melt My Heart! I have pretty much mastered scheduling our flights around nap time and it has pretty much NEVER WORKED!
And this time was no exception. You know, because after you land, they sleep!!!
We booked a compact car but quickly realized that was NOT going to work with all of our stuff so what is one to do but grab a cute kid and "ask" for an upgrade!!
And then our compact turned into this Ford Expedition (which is more like a crossover now)...
Delaney was pretty excited to have her own sunroof (yes, I know I have posted this picture but it cracks me up) Of course, somewhere along the way, her bow came out--what else is new!
About 20 minutes later, we arrived at our Condo. I will never forget pulling up to the guard and instead of giving our name, asking which way to turn, aunt Karey said "WHERE IS THE NEAREST TARGET"! And for the record, we never saw one!
Delaney and I made our way to the master bedroom (because aunt Karey is nice like that)
A quick wardrobe change (and nap in the car)
And we were off to Pinchers for some seafood! (Look at Delaney's face)!
Where Delaney had her first hush puppy!
And Karey and I shared this (the BEST hush puppies EVER)
Delaney insisted on eating the lemon
Just before she was almost kidnapped by this couple! This lady walked over and grabbed my baby right out of her high chair (notice the glasses of wine on their table--they were not their first). She went on and on about Delaney and then wanted her husband to see her. She wanted Delaney to go home with her and I am here to tell you my daughter would have! She knows not a stranger!
And after our first night this happened!! Aunt Karey got pulled over FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HER LIFE!!! Apparently, our headlights weren't on. The dial wasn't set to "automatic". After we pulled away (no ticket) Karey and I were laughing so hard over it, Delaney told us to "calm down"...no clue where she learned that!
I wasn't sure how Delaney would do sleeping with me and not enclosed in her crib......
After she went to sleep the first night,she came out to the living room crying that she had fallen out of bed. Now, no one saw this happen so we're not sure if it did but aunt Karey put those chairs and pillows up against Delaney's side and it never happened (or not happened) again!
I really don't need to caption our "days" since they all looked like this....
Don't be fooled, this lasted long enough for a picture!
Of course Delaney never gets left out...........
Day 2 at the beach, another day, another bathing suit. But I can't forget to blog about the fact that when she walked out onto the beach she yelled "I'm back"....(the girl thinks she's royalty)!! If I had a dollar for every person who stopped us to comment about Delaney's swim hat, I would be a rich woman. One lady on the beach literally stopped us to take her picture! I was NOT comfortable with that but it happened so fast! I have no idea why Delaney doesn't look more excited in this picture!
Have you noticed we go NO WHERE without her baby????
I should have gotten up from my beach chair to get a closer picture of this turtle but that would have meant getting up from my beach chair!
The girl did not mind the sand whatsoever!
I have no idea why, but Delaney was THE ONLY child on the Gulf who was wearing a life jacket! So weird to me!
The hat rarely came off but here she is in her ridiculous sunglasses......
Karey's grandparents were in Naples while we were there so we met them for dinner where Delaney was on her best behavior (THANK GOD)!! She would have left the restaurant with them if I would have let her.
Aunt Karey brought her portable DVD player for the plane. Delaney would sit in her room and watch it while we got ready. We are now the proud owners of one..............
We had this vacation thing down to a science! We got up each morning and had this for breakfast and took our lunch to the beach and went out for dinner. Karey's birthday was on Tuesday and I told her I would make breakfast. She replied "No, I'll do it, you'll mess it up". And, she was right, look at that burnt toast! I don't know why I bother trying!
After a couple of days, I decided it was less important for Delaney to wear her cute bathing suits and more important not to get third degree burns from the FL sun! So, out the with cute suits and in with the swim shirt! No bottoms to match!
As much as I hate posting this picture of myself, I had to post this because when I look at it, Delaney looks like such a little baby in it and that makes me one happy momma!!
EVERYONE on the beach has an umbrella (we did too).
Then Delaney decided to steal aunt Karey's Fidora. I love this picture where Delaney is posing while Karey takes their picture!
Pink crocs that will have only been worn during the week of FL!
And don't think just because we were on vacation, Delaney wasn't still "taking calls"............
Like I said, we had this vacation thing down pat! Going to the beach every day is hard work people!
I could not forget to blog about this. This is a pocket door that leads into the master bedroom. This pocket door is locked! Guess who???? Also, guess who ran and grabbed her phone to take a picture before trying to unlock it?????
One butter knife and viola!!
Delaney is somewhere asleep in this bed!
We went for a surprise dinner for Karey's birthday!
We ate at the Turtle Club right on the beach and watched the sunset!
Disregard the wind blown hair..........(you'll also notice the hat didn't stay on long). Thank goodness for the back up matching bow I remembered to take!
Delicious calamari............
Which Delaney loved but she stuck with her old faithful (as in her $10 kids meal)!
What's a trip to FL without Key Lime Pie!
Delaney "needed" Flamingo pajamas to take!
I know, could you die over this kid!!! Delaney's aunt Julie (a/k/a aunt "Ju Ju") bought this dress for her in Florida for her birthday so we decided we had to take it. Delaney is carrying her baby, her book, and her sunglasses and is walking to the beach!!! This girl really does "lead the life".....
My favorite feet in the whole world....
Delaney had toys all over the beach...........
See.............
She had sand all over her and then stuck her thumb in her mouth to suck it!!
It was impossible to keep her away from this.
I know what you're thinking----WHY the red bathing suit straps???
A day in the life of Delaney can be exhausting...........
How cute is this?????? (Surely aunt Karey won't be upset I posted a picture of her in a bathing suit! I mean look at her, doesn't she look great for --)???????
Our last day there we went to take a boat ride (that got cancelled the night before due to rain). When we left, we had no idea it was raining again..........
But I guess that's what happens in FL
So we hit the mall instead!!!
Yes, my daughter is wearing a swim shirt at the mall since we THOUGHT we would be on a boat!
And then it was time to leave, as in for good! This was taken as we left to go to the airport. Which we got lost on our way to and AGAIN, almost missed our flight! I looked at Karey on the way and said "would it really be so bad to get stuck here another day".....
And then Delaney was back on the plane (she wanted an orange one but I told her we flew Air Tran so she was stuck with blue). I had to put Delaney in the same clothes she wore on the way there on the way back because I completely spaced packing her warm clothes for the trip home! As our plane was landing, Delaney was sitting on aunt Karey's lap (and NOT with her tray up and seat in the upright position) and they saw another plane taking off and Delaney said "go on that plane"! It's just never enough for her..............
If by some chance you are "still with us" on the world's longest blog post, we want to say thank you and a big thanks to aunt Karey for inviting us to "Torla".........
