Florida Fun and other travels

Lots of excitement the last couple of weeks. I had to go to Washington, D.C. for a work conference. This means I got to see my sister in her native habitat. And, of course, Nana Karen had to fly out as well so she could see both daughters at the same time. We had alot of fun being tourists for a day and eating good food and keeping good company. It was also nice to see Jen's BF Sasha, who works half of the time in San Francisco these days.

Dumbarton Oaks Gardens in Georgetown

Quality time with Mom, Sasha and Jen at her apartment

While I was away for work, Grammy and Grandpa Coles came to Kansas to hang out with Oliver. Then, they took him with them on the airplane back to Fort Myers, Florida! Say what?! Yes, Oliver had his first plane ride without mom and dad there, and I'm told he did great. He had so many great adventures - a pirate ship cruise, swimming like a fish in the pool, dancing to live music at the beach, and so much more. I missed him so much that Matt and I got on a plane 3 days after I got back from D.C. and met them in Florida. And, Matt and I even got to sneak away to Sanibel Island for 2 nights to celebrate my birthday. It was such a fabulous time and a much needed getaway for all of us. Even the late night arrival back home didn't put a damper on the trip. Thanks to Grammy and Grandpa for their always amazing hospitality. And, Oliver was up and at 'em early the next morning for his first day in his new room at school. Yep, he's a Pre-K'er now. So big and brave and not scared of anything these days that I can tell. And, no, I didn't get a "First Day" pic. Be glad I got him there fed, clothed, and sort of on-time that morning with no meltdowns!

Ahoy, matee.

Loud in color and life.

Oliver has a 6th sense about the ice cream cart. He always knows it's coming 10 minutes before it gets there.

Look out Ricky Fowler!

Pool time.

Flying Oliver. Okay, so this might not be as entertaining to you viewers. But let me tell you, Dad and Grandpa were getting a major arm workout.

Our Sanibel set up. Nice. very nice.

I am not usually one to spend most of my time in the actual ocean. I'm more a laying out on the beach while looking at the ocean kind of girl. But it was so hot, and the water was so perfect, that I think I spent the majority of the time in the water (paranoid a shark was going to take me down, but in the water nonetheless)!

Sanibel Island Inn Pool. Perfect spot to rinse off the ocean, while looking at the ocean.

Sanibel sunset. Just perfect. All of it.