We headed off to Marco island after grabbing a bite to eat. We thought both kiddos would sleep, but once again Thomas' will power got the best of us! He rode, mostly content, the whole 3 hours talking about alligators, the beach and going to see Bampa and Nana!
Once we arrived at the beach we were greeted by Bampa and Nana Laschen. They were so excited to see their babies and their babies were excited to see them. We went and got settled into our room and headed down to the beach. Thomas and Elin were happy to play in the sand while Mike and I caught up with the rest of the group that was there. There was Great Grandpa Larry (Big Papa), Great Grandma Joan (Nana J), Uncle Don, Auntie Mo and Auntie Katie, Great Aunts Michelle and Joie, Great Uncles Dan and Tom. Uncle Pat and Auntie Lara flew in the following day.
After a few hours on the beach we packed up and headed inside for dinner and bedtime. It was a long travel day and we were all out cold pretty quickly.
Saturday morning we were up and Mike, Elin and I went to breakfast with the group while Thomas and Nana played in the room. Our room was perfect for having 2 kiddos in it. We had a suite that opened to a patio with a little yard. Thomas could chase lizards, run around and play in the water while we watched from inside.
We spent most of the afternoon at the beach and then snuck up to get the kiddos to sleep before our dinner out. We had a group of 19 heading to dinner so we knew we needed two rested kids if we had any chance of enjoying ourselves. Thankfully, the kiddos did great at dinner, Mike and were able to enjoy ourselves and our company and we headed home satisfied with how well our kiddos did and that we were both able to enjoy ourselves.
After getting the kiddos tucked into bed, Mike and I quickly decided we weren't up for staying out much longer, 5 minutes after that we were asleep.
Sunday morning came and we were greeted by chilly weather. After the four of us had breakfast with Grandpa Jeff. Mike took the opportunity to take Thomas fishing with his Grandpa, Thomas' Big Papa. Elin and I headed out for a walk and morning nap on the beach. We met back up after lunch for naps and then headed down to the beach. We found ourselves watching the kiddos play while we listened to some tunes and watched the sun set. It was an unexpected night on the beach that was ending just as the rain started to fall. We then met up with everyone for dinner at Quinn's and watching some Minnesota basketball. It was another late night for our little rock stars, but they both rolled with it and enjoyed being out and seeing everyone too. After we got to the room we set up the baby monitor and watched Thomas and Elin sleep while we got some alone adult time with Mike's siblings and their significant others.
On Monday the guys were suppose to go fishing, but because the weather was cold and it had been windy the conditions forced them to cancel. Mike decided to try his hand at fishing with Thomas again. This time their was a bigger crew along for the show. Big Papa was joined by Grandpa Laschen, Uncle Don, Auntie Katie, Elin and myself. I have to say it was pretty impressive and in a couple hours they probably caught 30 or so fish. One of those fish was the "sheeps head," it is a crazy fish when you open it's mouth it looks like it has a sheep’s teeth and could begin to talk. Thomas would run around happily occupying himself until Mike yelled that he had a fish on. Then Thomas would sprint over to help him reel it in! After the guys had used up all their bait we grabbed lunch. Then it was time for naps and which were followed by dinner at the Good Bar. This was a new try for everyone and it was a great little restaurant with live music and amazing food. Mike, Thomas and I all filled our bellies with scallops and shocked most that T likes to eat them. In fact, most times I will order them and he will eat half or more of mine. After dinner and dessert we enjoyed dancing to a few songs before calling it a night and heading back to the hotel.
Tuesday was another fishing day as it was certainly too cold and windy to be on the beach. Thomas went ahead with Mike and Grandpa Jeff. Elin and I were actually still sleeping when they left so we ended up walking with Nana Kathy down to their fishing spot. After watching them catch a few fish we took the cold kiddos to get some shrimp and crab for dinner. Jeff and Kathy treated us as dinner that night was at a non kid friendly place. We got back to the room and had some lunch and napped. Mike headed over while the kiddos napped I meet up with Mo, Katie, Don, Pat and Lara for a few drinks. Once the kiddos woke up we headed over there too. Thomas had a great time running around on the pavilion playing with his aunties and uncles, Elin even got in on the action. Then it was time to head home to get ready for dinner. We made our stuff in the room and let the kiddos chill and play. Then like a massive wave I was cold, shaking and in the shower with what felt like the start of a fever. Mike got the kiddos ready for bed and by 8:30 we were all sleeping while Mike watched basketball.
Wednesday was a girls spa morning. I woke up and felt so so and decided to try the spa day. After a wonderful facial and massage, minus being so cold on the massage table that I was shaking, I headed quickly back to the room where I would remain for the next 2 days. I was sick, really sick. We thought at first it was food poisoning, but after both The chicklets also were sick we confirmed that it was just a nasty virus. Wednesday morning after our spa appointments Mike had the kiddos come to the room and nap. Then he took them swimming with his sister Mo. I stayed back and felt sad that I couldn't go watch them play and have fun, but I also felt awful and didn't want anyone else to get sick. Both Mike and Mo said they had a blast. They then went to dinner at Nana J and Big Papa's house.
Thursday the guys went out for some deep sea fishing. They caught a bunch of sheep’s head and they caught maybe 25-30 fish before heading back in.
After waking up and being up most of the night miserably sick Nana Kathy came to my rescue and took the kiddos down to the beach to play. This is where they spent the rest of their day with a few nursing and nap trips for Elin. I got pictures to keep me in the loop but it was so hard not being with everyone. The monotony of the hotel room was broken up when I got a knock on the door from Allison and Gabriel. She and her family had arrived on Tuesday and I had yet to see them. Careful to not get her or Gabe exposed to me, I ushered her on to the patio where she sat and visited with me while Gabe slept and Elin played in the room for a bit. Auntie Mo came and grabbed Elin for some more beach adventure. After Allison and Gabriel left I took another nap. I was slowly starting to feel human again and tried to eat a few crackers. Nana Kathy gave Elin a bath and then brought her to me for dinner and bedtime. Kathy helped her eat 2 bowls of cereal and some banana and couldn't stop giggling at how hungry she was. Shortly after that Mike and Thomas returned from dinner at Quinn's and everyone was in bed quickly.
Friday morning we got up and I was determined to rejoin the group. Thomas and Mike went with grandpa Jeff to breakfast and then we all made it down to the beach. It was just what I needed. The warm salty beach air and sunshine had me feeling human again. The Bennets joined us at the beach and watching Thomas and Lillianne play while Elin and Gabe tried to figure each other out was also a highlight. After a few hours I was exhausted so Nana Kathy helped me get the kiddos upstairs and down for naps. Mike and his sisters headed off on jet skis for a little adult playtime!
Friday night we all watched the sunset on the beach and enjoyed the company of the Bennets once again. Thomas and Lilli are so much fun to watch together. We then went up to Jeff and Kathy's room to celebrate Thomas' 3rd birthday with pizza and cupcakes.
Saturday morning was an Easter egg hunt sponsored by the hotel. Just after the hunt we had to say goodbye to Nana Kathy, Grandpa Jeff, Aunties; Lara, Mo and Katie; and uncles Pat and Don. It was so hard to see everyone go. We then went back and said bye to the Bennets and started packing up our stuff with Nana J and Big Papa's help.
After our things were all packed into suitcases we headed to lunch. Which then followed with some play time at the Mackle Park before catching our ride to the airport. It was a long adventurous last day and the 13 hours of travel had only begun.
A long story short, we had a delayed flight out of Florida, they stalled the plane for our connection in Dallas, and we made it home to our house at 1:30 a.m. Seattle time (4:30 a.m.Florida time). The kiddos were both rock stars and didn't make a peep on either of our 3.5 hour flights, the mad dash to catch the 2nd plane or the car ride home. They were both very excited to see their stuff and to sleep in their own bed, we all were. The kitties were also very excited to see us. Stella didn't come home until the morning! What a absolutely fabulous week+ in Florida. It was so much fun watching Thomas and Elin make memories with everyone. It was hard to head home and let everyone head back to Illinois, Colorado and Minnesota. Until next time Marco! Thank you for the memories.
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