Marco Island

Another great trip in the books. This year the Holloman clan decided to forego our typical trip to Scottsdale and head for the beach instead in Marco Island, Florida. I think we all agreed that a good decision was made because the kids LOVED the beach! The family has grown by a few more people in this past year so we ended up with a whopping 10 adults and 9 kids!

Last time Hudson saw a plane he was 9 months old so this was very exciting to him this time. Hadley loved pointing out all the flying  planes to him.

First stretch complete and now a lengthy layover in St. Louis. Both kids were woken up earlier than normal and neither like to sit still so by this point we had fed them mass amounts of sugar in attempt to do anything to keep them happy.

With both needing a nap, we knew this second leg could wear us all out. One refused to nap and was only shortly entertained by a movie....

...while the other gladly took a nap when I promised her we would be there when she woke up.

This amazing couple was a miracle to us and helped us tremendously on the flight.

Finally at the hotel and Hudson was ready to watch some cartoons with Sissy.

We flew into Tampa on Saturday and stayed the night there so we could break up the trip a little bit. On Sunday morning we all loaded in the car and made the 3 hour drive to Marco Island. Hadley and Sloan waited on the porch with their dolls anxious to get on the road.

We're here! Beautiful beaches and beautiful weather. Fortunately, a rain storm came through our first night and brought in some cooler weather (if you can call 90 degrees and humid "cool").

Hotel view of the pool where the kids spent most of their time. It had a great slide, beach style entry, and lots of shaded areas to get out of the heat. Honestly, the kids were so excited to be around each other that I think they would have been happy in just a plastic kiddie pool!

Poor Davis had an allergic reaction to his antibiotic a couple days before we left but he healed quickly and it didn't seem to phase him. These two are going to be buddies soon. They already followed

As soon as we got there the girls saw a "real life" mermaid. The were completely in awe!

Dad's and their boys!

Drew got in the middle of a pillow fight and these kids were relentless:

E got all of the kids thunder shirts and they all looked so cute dressed up as their favorite players:

That evening the hotel had a wii dance party and the kids loved it!

Sloan spent the night in our room each night and breakfast was always full of giggles.

Hudson loved playing with baby Ellis and was so sweet to her...most of the time.

I am a little surprised that after a week of swimming all hours of the day the kids did not morph into fish.

First trip out to the ocean for this Hudson, being led by the pack of girls:

Wondering what to think of the waves...

And especially curious about the shells.

Swimming all day is so exhausting!

We all took a walk on the beach on this perfect night! Absolutely no wind, and suprisingly cool.

I just couldn't pick a favorite here. E was doing a little dance to get all the kids attention and it resulted in some really cute candid shots!

Up early again the next morning and ready for the beach again!

Lolly and Pops rented this cabana each day and it was such a great place to relax and get out of the sun a bit. There were chaises, a refridgerator, a tv, and a server from the restaurant upstairs.

The kids all got to make a shark tooth necklace and Hadley was excited to show hers off.

Thundering up in Florida for the finals!

Davis loved to show Hudson new things and Hudson loved to follow right along.

Hadley's pet worm that she found. She was so excited that each night she would put him under a leaf blanket and he would always be there the next morning. Fortunately, she didn't realize that he wasn't moving, had not been for a while, and the sole reason he always stayed where she left him!

We all went out for dinner one evening and everyone decided to get dressed for some pictures. Unfortunately, this night was extremely windy making it a little difficult but we still got some fun pictures of the kids and a couple good ones of the family. At this point, if we can get all four people looking at the camera then its a good picture!

My favorite! Hudson wants to follow Hadley everywhere and do exactly as she does.

Matt buried Hudson's feet in the sand and he thought it was so fun to "escape."

We went back to the cabana for popsicles and a little tv watching.

Three couch potatoes.

All the kids got to take a ride in the ocean on the wave runners. Daddy took Hadley. I will stick to the lake...the ocean just seemed a little too big!

The last night we went to an Italian restaurant and celebrated an early birthday for Hadley with dessert. She was so excited to be able to celebrate her birthday with ALL her cousins on the Holloman side which has never happened before.

Hadley associates Florida with the beach, a pool, no parents going to work, no bedtime, and playing ALL day, therefore, she is ready to move there permanently! Hudson was just a little overwhelmed, out of his element, and we had several tears but the picture proves he had a pretty great time, as well. We all had a wonderful trip with some much needed relaxation.