Vacation re-cap

Vacation is over (boo!) and we're home.  All in all, Boden's first vacation was full of lots of firsts and it turns out he's an excellent traveler.  I asked him what the best part about vacation was, but couldn't get an answer...so that must mean it was all pretty great.  I hope down the road he remembers some of it!

This will be a picture heavy post--we did our best to document Boden's first big trip!  (I was going to say "out of state" but I guess he's been to North Dakota, so better correct myself.)  



Airport with mom and Ammi

  By the time we got to the airport and thru security for our 10:15 flight I was exhausted and thinking a nap sounded wonderful.  The three kids in tow did not agree--I don't think anyone slept on the flight.

Boden in the cockpit of the plane

Todd introduced Boden to the pilot and Boden asked him if he knew the way to Florida--luckily, he did.  And he let Boden check out the cockpit.


Digging holes at the "biggest ocean ever"!

  Boden loved the beach --it was like he found his purpose:  he was made to dig.  The house we rented had some beach toys and I had brought two of his trucks.  This meager supply was enough to keep him busy "at the jobsite" for hours.  I didn't think we'd get him in the ocean, but he eventually went in with Todd for a short dip to cool off...then went back to digging. 


At the jobsite with his co-worker



Dad + Bodie at the Beach

We saw tons of dolphins from the beach swimming not too far out --it was probably the same three or four but they were active and would breach regularly in between pelicans and jet skiers--beautiful.

In the ocean for the 1st time 



On the lookout for 'gators and eagles

 Every time we've been on Marco Island, we've make a trek to the Fakahatchee nature preserve in hopes of seeing nesting bald eagles and alligators (technically, I don't think the alligators are "nesting" but they were doing whatever it is alligators do).  We've never struck out, but this time was close.  We saw a mama 'gator and her 4+ babies right away at the entrance along with some big blue (?) crabs (no worries, they weren't swimming together, just in close proximity) and several cotton mouth snakes (ick).  We thought this was a good omen for spotting lots of alligators at the end of the boardwalk...but no luck--we just ended up with sweaty backs from the hot hike and a couple mosquito bites.

mama alligator with a couple of her youngins

Happy Browns + 1 at the end of the boardwalk

  We spent most of our days on the lanai of the place we were renting.  Boden became a little fish while we were there which gives us hope that his swimming skills will advance this summer with a little more practice. The house was on a causeway and we saw dolphins and manatees (and heard them at night) right from the lanai. 

Will not wake up--must nap

 On one of the days, I headed to the outlet mall with Kris and Petra for a little shopping and the dads and the little bitty ones hung out.  Without the car, they popped the kids in the burleys and biked them across town for a lunch outing.  After several days with no nap and LOTS of activity, Boden literally passed out for a few hours.  Todd could not wake him--of course, this led to a 10 o'clock bedtime later that evening...sigh, never timed right.

Nap in the burley

making fun out of whatever he could find

on the lanai with mom

everyone in the hot tub!

Pooped out on the plane home

The plane ride home was apparently less exciting or Boden just couldn't hang on any longer!  He fell asleep before take off and woke up about an hour before we landed.  We were all a little beat so it was good he got a chance to sleep.