On Saturday, April 23rd we headed out on our big adventure. Rob met us at our place, then we loaded up and went to the airport. Rob dropped us off, then drove our car back home. He then took Piper over to K-9 Lifeline, by our house, where she stayed while we were gone. Phil dropped off Dave, Joann and Diane just before us, so they were already there at the airport.
We borrowed Rose's strolled since our jogging stroller didn't fit the car seat and our old stroller that fit it broke. We needed to bring Hudson's car seat for the airplane ride, shuttle/rental car, and he many times takes his nap in it too. Though it was extra "stuff" to bring, the strolled ended up coming in handy many times carrying some of our bags, plus Hudson took a nap in it while on the beach.
Nyles, Carter, Hudson and I ready for our fun adventure (after getting dropped off at the airport).
Joann had a wheelchair she was in most of the time since her knee is bad and needs replaced once we get back. Hudson and Carter liked to get rides w/ her as well on her lap.
We then got our luggage tags, dropped off our checked bags, and headed through security. We made it through just fine, though a couple of our bags had to be rescanned, then we were on our way.
Hudson walking w/ Grandpa. Here we go: Nyles, Steve, Joann, Dave, Diane, Hudson and Carter walking through the airport. Hudson even helped roll the suitcases along at times.
We flew w/ JetBlue so our terminal was on the other side of the airport, so we had a pretty good walk getting there. Thankfully they had a "lift" to help you and the moving walkways as well.
We then got a bite to eat at Cafe Rio and sat down to eat while we waited for our boarding time.
The boys thought it was pretty neat to watch the airplanes come and go as well.
Since we had a stroller and the wheelchair, we loaded first. Our seats were almost to the back of the plane, but closer to the bathroom for our 5 hour flight to Fort Lauderdale. It was the boys' first airplane ride, and they thought it was pretty awesome! They all liked looking out the window when the could when it wasn't too bright.
Carter and Nyles loved that they could pick and watch any movie on the screen in front of them during the ride. And of course they loved the free snacks. They all did awesome. Hudson even took a little nap after we got on the plane and did great too! Once he was up he bounced between our 3 rows, sitting w/ Diane and the boys, or Dave and Joann. He thought it was fun to visit everyone.
Once we got off the plane, we went and picked up our checked bags, then called the hotel shuttle so we knew where to meet them. We got to the hotel 15 minutes later (Hyatt House), checked in, and got our rooms. We only had snacks on the plane ride, so we were pretty hungry. We walked across the street to get Panda Express, but since it was about closing time (10pm ET), they didn't have much left. So after getting a little rice for the boys, we went to the next place, Burger King. They closed their walk-in, so they told us to go through the drive through, though we didn't have a car. It took a while, but we finally got our food.
While Steve was waiting for the food w/ Diane and Nyles, I went back to the hotel w/ Carter and Hudson so they could eat the rice. I also brought microwave macaroni and fixed that for them. It was a long busy day, so we made up the beds for the boys on the pull out couch, and port-a-crib for Hudson, and went to bed. Hudson was a little worked up being in a new place, so after putting him in his car seat for a few minutes, he fell asleep. We then moved him to the crib, where he slept the rest of the night just fine.
The next morning we had a hot breakfast at the hotel. Steve and Dave then took the shuttle back to the airport to get our car rental. Once they got back we headed to the beach. We stopped to get sunglasses for Dave but didn't get them since the lines were CRAZY long (it looked like Black Friday at Wal-Mart for some reason). Dave and Steve went back that night while on their way to drop off the rental car and got the sunglasses.
We then found a place to park near the beach. By this time, we all needed to use the restroom and were hungry, so we found a place to eat and use the bathroom before going into the ocean. It turned out to be a fun place w/ music across from the beach, and the food was actually really good. Once we were done eating, we went across the walkway to see the ocean. It was the first time for the boys to see the ocean as well. They thought it was awesome!
Hudson, Carter and Nyles at Bass Pro Shop.
Waiting for our food. Checking out the ocean for the first time.
Heading over to the beach and ocean. Joann waited by boardwalk under the shade w/ our stuff.
She took some cool pictures while we were out, like this life guard post and truck.
Hudson feeling the water and waves on his legs. Everyone playing in the waves of the ocean.
My cute boys! :)
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Getting a quick picture and admiring the beautiful ocean.
Getting quick family pictures before leaving. It's so beautiful!
Back at the hotel, I was getting things ready for Hudson to take a nap, and he got quiet. I found him in the bathroom rolling out the toilet paper. There's the ball he was playing with that he left to unroll the toilet paper:). While Hudson was taking a nap, Steve, Diane, Dave and the boys went swimming at the hotel pool. It was a little cool, but they still had a great time.
Then after his nap, playing at Dave/Joann's room. Hudson being an ostrich w/ his head down. He also liked to give kisses to himself in the mirror; silly kid. There was lots of little lizards everywhere as well, which the boys thought were fun to see. We went to TGIFridays for dinner before returning the rental car (Ford Expedition).
