One year older...

I think we've found a regular family photo spot on our Florida vacations. I only wish we had started this little tradition when we first began traveling here with our kids, when Jack was just six months old. This fountain is in a huge outlet mall outside of Rainforest Cafe... the only place all week we venture away from the pool with our kids in tow (and trust me, since they were used to bumming at the pool all week, they quickly complained about wearing collared shirts and having to do their hair...). This was us this year: ...and this was our family exactly one year ago: It will be so fun ten years from now to compare how they've grown each year (look at the difference in Tess's hair alone!).

Oh Florida, how we miss you...

We packed light, earned enough flight miles for five free (ahem, I mean earned) airline tickets (squeezing in Tess for free right before her 2nd birthday!), and headed off on one exciting adventure...

Our complex schedule for the week? Wake up, get bagels, and head down to the pool (brushing your teeth, completely optional)...

We squeezed in a beautiful, successful day at the beach... (successful = no one freaked out this year because there was sand down their pants)

Lunch every day... by the pool, of course!

Then up to the room for naptime, where everyone (including adults!) napped, while Jack read hundreds of pages out of his books. :)

Repeat adventures for some, and first-time adventures for others.

Much needed family time, and never a rush to get anywhere...

A night at Rainforest Cafe for the kids, and date nights for us...

And get this: sunshine, pools, beaches, and lots of extra attention make for much more well-behaved children.

Amazing, huh?

And on lazy vacation days, we did things like paint the girl's toenails for the first time. Bet you can't guess whose idea that was?

Oh Florida, how we miss you...

** In case you missed it (my dates got jumbled up from my wacky out-of-order posting), read more about what made our trip a success here.