Christmas on the Beach.

So we took a trip to Largo, Florida to visit Paul's family for Christmas.  We almost didn't book a seat for Henry, but decided last minute we had too many Southwest points anyways and he's a little too big to be a lap child anyways.  GOOD CALL BY US. Child was crazed [though very well behaved] during the trip there and back. 

 

 While we spent a lot of time trying to entertain him with stuff out the window, food also became a form of entertainment.

While I normally wish Southwest had more direct flights from Dallas, I was thankful for a break in Birmingham between flights.  This was Henry for the hour layover in Birmingham. Constant motion. Constant.

 

I'm not a big fan of Florida in the winter - it can be cold, hot, or in between.  Packing is impossible.  And it's no longer just me and Paul - we're packing for a midget too.  This is what the Merediths looked like rolling through the airport.  Don't be jealous. 

We had a condo on the beach, and I couldn't wait to get Henry's reaction to the sand (I'll spare you the video).  He LOVED it. 

It just so happened to be cold the week we were there, so the water seemed especially freezing.  This child could've cared less. 

 Someone put a Christmas tree on the beach - so festive!

Henry had a blast with Grandma and Grandpa!

The downsides to a condo with a 14 month old is that there's not a whole lot of room, it's not baby-proofed, and if we turned around for 2 seconds and he'd be into something.  Like his suitcase. So proud of himself. :)

 Henry must have been good, because Santa came to visit!

Henry clearly didn't get the excitement of Christmas this year.  He bypassed the toys/presents and went straight for the beach and ocean!

 Once he spotted them, though, it was time to play.  Especially with his new cars and racetrack from great-grandma and great-grandpa!

 We also had a put-putting outing one afternoon, which was a huge hit.

Between the live alligators, pirate ship, and tons of waterfalls, Henry was enthralled.  It wasn't even obvious we were put-putting into his nap time until we put him in the car seat.  He was out cold in less than 3 minutes!! :)

While it was a fantastic 5 days, we were sure glad to get home!  Sharing a room with a baby is NOT ideal (I will never understand parents that sleep in the same room, ESPECIALLY the same bed, as their children).  All three of us slept more than an hour past Henry's normal wake-up hour of 7 a.m. It was glorious!

Hope everyone else had a happy, healthy, and FUN Christmas!  Now to get back into the groove and prepare for Walter.  He's going to be here before we know it.  And have I done anything to prepare for him? Of course not!  Should probably get around to that sometime soon.... :)