Wisconsin For The Win

While I was away in Orlando for a girls weekend, I received a text from Pete asking if I was game for a last minute trip to the Doyle summer vacation spot the week I returned.  It's in Wisconsin which isn't just a hop, skip and a jump from Georgia, but it's a kid's paradise (that includes the big kids).  Think cabins, fires, lakes, boats, fishing, and a lodge so you don't have to cook a meal.  Major bonus, tiny cousins that can jump in the car to meet you there.  Needless to say, I signed right up and went home to unpack and repack the crew for a Mid-Western Memorial Weekend.  

Tripp rocking the rain gear.  Because it gives me all the heart eyes and gives him mosquito protection.

Cousin love.  They took the trip over the top.

My little fisherman.  Or better yet, worm wrangler.  Because really that's all he wanted to do.  Just beat the poor worm senseless on the boat floor.

Trekking through Captain Hook's Island.

When you can walk out of your cabin and do this, you can't help but enjoy yourself.

This sweet babe taking in Home Lake in his rain gear because I can't get enough.

What the Doyle's call "the Casino" which is really a game room in the Lodge with all the classics: foosball, skee ball, air hockey, and ping pong.  Don't mind my child in the back scaling the skee ball machine.

The walk from the lodge back to the cabins.  Full tummies ready for adventure.

More fishing.

And boating.

And a fond farewell.  The boys will be back with a massive family crew in August while I enjoy the gift of a week alone at home with my newborn babe.  So glad we stole this unexpected time away together so I had the chance to see the boys living the Wisconsin North Woods life for a week.

They don't look tired here at all...nor did they after failing to adjust back into Eastern Standard time.  LIE.

Oh yeah...can't forget about Pete's sneaky early morning, solo Musky fish where he snagged two.  And did his best to celebrate with a selfie while on a boat alone at 6 a.m.  Nice effort, honey!

Spring Travel

The warmer weather has brightened everyone's glum winter mood and brought us on some fun travels this Spring.  My days of travel are numbered with only 9 weeks left before Baby Doyle Numero Trés keeps me grounded for a while.  Our latest travels have been around Florida (standard operating procedure around these parts.)  First up was to Bay Hill, a visit to Poppa's farm, capped off with a stay at the Four Seasons Orlando.  

Toddler travel is much easier in 2016

Always first on the docket is to get out on the greens

These two are quite the pair these days.  Although Tripp doesn't have P's passion for golf.  Yet.

We snuck in on a buddy's golf lesson while at Bay Hill

Setting up for that perfect shot

Watching a bunch of 3 and 4 year olds swing the club is pretty adorable!

Tripp is happy to "Jump Dada" all day long.

Becoming well acquainted with the clubhouse life

We always rent a house while staying at Bay Hill and pretend like we've never left.  We have dinners with friends each night thanks to old babysitters being on hand and soak up every minute we can.  This trip we even got to be a part of Palmer's buddy from birth 4th birthday party.  Nothing like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle party to really make your vacation complete!

This trip to Orlando we tacked on some extra time to play at the new Four Seasons.  I've stayed at the property with girlfriends and couldn't wait to bring Pete and the boys here one day.  They do everything right here.  Case in point:

The set up they left for the boys on their pull out bed

They settled right in

Tripp rocks an umbilical hernia and a speedo like no other toddler :)

The area for little kids is magical

The entire property is perfection.  There is a game house for bigger kids, lawn games, outdoor play areas galore, jackpot lazy river, movies at the pool, and endless places to swim and relax.  Palmer refers to it as the Four Seasonings and was watching me upload pictures this morning and asked if we could go back today.  I'm always ready, buddy!

Tripp requested just a few snacks

Settling right into vacation life

Ice Cream is a daily staple on vacations, right?

Relaxation is unavoidable on that property

Snack breaks for busy swimmers

Lot's of enthusiasm from this kid

They offer a Disney Character Breakfast at the resort which is all these two little guys require.  Disney will happen one day.  Likely when our littlest is around 4/5.  Disney is such a huge adventure and even huge-er expensive.  Neither of them have the wherewithal to enjoy a full day there.  And frankly, nor do I have the  energy to tote the two of them around that massive property.  We always hit up Sea World while in Orlando which is basically a sea-life zoo with a stellar dolphin show and super entertaining dog show.  We are there max an hour and a half, get fully entertained and no one has to lose a temper or have a melt down.  

This is the best one of the morning and I call it a success as everyone is smiling!

We had a family disaster while traveling back to Georgia.  Long story short, Gigi, Palmer's giraffe best friend was missing.  We noticed while unloading curbside at the airport and devastation set in.  After A TON of effort (and crying) on our part and thanks to a stellar manager at the Four Seasons, Gigi was located and returned safely to Georgia.  They even included a traveling buddy and an envelope of pictures of Gigi on his "extended vacation" around the property.  We had Gigi on a golf cart, Gigi with the chef, Gigi lounging at the pool, even Gigi with some cute girls! It was such a thoughtful touch and only strengthened our love for the Four Seasons.

Gigi's arrival back home!!

This week we headed back down to Florida while Pete had a musky fishing trip to Tennessee.  Gra Gra and I loved the opportunity to escape to the beach with the boys.  This was Tripp's first beach trip and I would consider it a massive success.  I only snapped like 3 pictures which is sad to me, but also a great sign of the non-stop action these two had between the beach and pool.  We are ready to take Pete back and show him just how much fun we can have at the beach!

First thing every morning, right out to the beach

While the area we stayed on Amelia Island was totally quiet and we enjoyed the beach to ourselves, it was the annual Shrimp Festival in the historic downtown which brings in thousands of people.  We went there for a post nap ice cream and dinner (in that order) and that was about all the action we could handle down there.  

I think the appropriate way to end this overload of family pictures is to showcase Pete's 48" musky.  He might have missed a sunny beach trip, but he definitely made up for it with this guy!

Waterfall Morning

Some Saturday mornings were meant for big things.  And some were meant for hiking to your neighborhood waterfall.  In your pajamas.  Tripp actually did have real clothes on.  Only because he took such a massive poop this morning it leaked onto his pajama pants.   How's that for some real Saturday morning living? 

The waterfall is what I would guesstimate as about 1/4 mile.  Or about 275km for the 25 week pregnant mother pushing one 26 lbs child, one 36  lbs child and one 30 lbs stroller up hill both ways.  That's almost a 100 lbs, right?  Honey, you can check my math later.  I'm all strung out on a chocolate chip trail mix binge post hike.  

Here are a few photos I snapped along the way.  I'm working on uploading some videos of the fearless two-some jumping from rock to rock around the fire pit ring (something we do only when less than fearless father is on a bachelor party weekend) and chucking rocks at each other playfully throwing rocks downstream the creek.