Christmas in Key West

We ventured to Key West for Christmas and we are so glad that we did! The weather was great, we had lots of fun adventures and we enjoyed spending time together in paradise!

Our travel day was remarkably easy, which was nice. That is not to say that travelling with kids is easy; it is always challenging, but it was about as easy as it could be. Preston's medicine worked well and he did not get motion sickness, both boys were in good moods and we were able to keep them entertained, with only a little whining from them. There were no travel delays and we got our rental car and our luggage quickly. I would say that was a great success!

When we arrived, we got a few essentials from CVS and ordered Papa John's for dinner, which both boys really liked. We got unpacked, hung our stockings, decorated the Christmas tree and even had time to play in the pool! Preston surprised us by loving his life jacket and "swimming" all around the pool with Evan.

Evan was full of Christmas spirit on our way to the airport!

We made the Key West house ready for Christmas!

It is never too late for swimming! So much fun!

Our next morning was sort of boring, because we had to get a large grocery trip accomplished, as well as return the rental car. Once all of that was done, we made it to Casa Marina, where the boys looked for creatures in the tide pools and swam in the pool. Evan also got to make a bracelet and necklace in the arts and crafts area!

 

We were only there about a minute before Evan jumped in the water and found a hermit crab!

Preston liked seeing the jelly fished that washed up on shore.

Preston had so much fun jumping in the pool! He kept asking me to take his picture, which was hard, since I also had to catch him!

Evan's necklace and bracelet turned out great!

After naps, we went to the park and the beach. Preston was not interested in the beach at first and preferred the park. Once he saw how much fun Evan was having, he ran over to join him in the waves, clothes and all!

Key West Christmas Tree

Yep, he was so excited that he an right in with his clothes on!

Sunset Swimming

You can't see all of Preston's face here, but he was ALL smiles. He loves his daddy and the beach!

We ended our evening watching Christmas movies and enjoying dinner at home. Just perfect!

We went to the harbor on Christmas Eve. We did all of the usual stuff, including feeding the small fish and searching for tarpon. Preston especially liked the harbor and did not want to be in his stroller at all. He wanted to be free to explore! The boys had a blast and we also made it over to see the cruise ships before heading back home for swimming and lunch.

Preston was REALLY into feeding the fish this time. In fact, he was into seeing all of the fish too. He was constantly wanting to stop and look at the fish during our walk. So cute!

Preston did not want to be confined to his stroller on our walk. He said, "I want to walk!"

Christmas Cutie

Both boys posed for pictures by the cool Christmas tree in the harbor. I think they are adorable!

We saw these awesome Star Wars Christmas decorations on our walk back home. The boys were so excited!

A HUGE storm came through during nap time, but it passed, and when all those that were sleeping woke up, it was nice and sunny again! We spent the rest of our day at the beach before preparing for Santa's arrival, which included making brownies for Santa and leaving carrots and celery for the reindeer. We also watched "Elf" before heading to bed.

Always on the hunt for cool creatures, Evan found a cool snail in the backyard.

Christmas Eve on Higgs Beach

Both boys liked making brownies for Santa! Yummy!

Snuggle Time

We got a new book to read, which was really cool. The boys got to add stickers to the pages as we read.

Evan laid out the brownies and milk for Santa. After we tucked him in, he came downstairs to remind us that we forgot the reindeer. So then we also put out carrots and celery! Notice that there are exactly nine vegetables, one for each reindeer. Evan was very specific about that!

This is the note Evan sent Santa before we left. I was nervous for Christmas morning in Key West, since Santa could only bring a few small gifts that we could take back home, but neither boy was disappointed at all. They were so grateful for each gift! (I can't wait until we get back to Louisville and they see the big gifts that Santa brought!)

Santa was so nice to make a small stop in Key West. He also made a big stop in Louisville! Brooke sent the boys a picture to let them know he visited our house too!

 

Christmas morning came bright and early, as Evan was up by 6:25. We had a very busy morning with opening gifts and eating candy and cookies for breakfast! We also went to the beach, swam in the pool, visited the wildlife center and played at the park, which all happened before nap time!

In the afternoon, Evan and Daddy went fishing and Evan caught five fish! We all went to Casa Marina around sunset and we played in the tide pools and saw a beautiful sunset. Afterwards, we came back to the house and ate a yummy Christmas dinner and watched The Grinch, while snuggling on the couch. It was a great ending to our super fun day!

Christmas morning was lots of fun! The boys loved their gifts!

Preston was a big fan of his new train set!

Evan enjoyed building his new Lego Star Wars ship!

Preston was so excited for his new Buzz Lightyear toys!

Evan looked so cute on the beach on Christmas morning!

In anticipation on Saturday's game against UK, Carl made a sand cardinal! GO CARDS!

Christmas Day Pool Fun!

We tried to feed the turtles at the wildlife center, but these birds took most of the food. We did get a little food to the turtles though!

The wildlife center is so much fun!

The playground was lots of fun!

Evan and Daddy went fishing and Evan caught five fish!

Christmas Sunset

On Friday, we went to the aquarium, which was tons of fun. We have been before, but this time was extra fun! The boys loved the touch tank and Preston was even brave enough to touch a few things, such as the star fish (Evan touched EVERYTHING!). Preston had been asking to see alligators all week, so he was excited to see the three baby alligators that are currently at the aquarium. Evan got to feed the sharks, which is always fun, and he and Preston also got to pet the rays! Preston also got to pet a shark, which he really liked. Afterwards we stopped for ice cream and then went back home for lunch and swimming.

After naps, Evan and Daddy went fishing again and caught a total of seven fish. Later, we played with glow sticks in the pool! Santa was pretty cool for bringing such great gifts and Evan was so smart to think about playing with them in the pool, which was lots of fun!

Evan LOVES the touch tank, where you can touch EVERYTHING!

Preston really liked the touch pool too. He liked getting help from Daddy!

Preston was SO excited to see the alligators!

Preston loved this big fish and insisted I take his picture!

Everyone loved getting ice cream!

Another great evening of fishing!

Bonnie Mom and Grandpa gave us an awesome Christmas gift, which was an awesome trip on a boat! We spent Saturday morning looking for dolphins, snorkeling and exploring an island. We had a blast! The island was the best part and the boys got to see lots of hermit crabs, as well as lots of things washed up onshore, such as jellyfish, horseshoe crabs, a lobster, etc. It was lots of fun!

It was foggy all morning, so when the sky was FINALLY showing, I took a picture!

In the evening, we went to White Street Pier, where we saw a manatee! We also got to see an amazing sunset, play on the playground, swim in the pool and have a delicious dinner from Bad Boy Burrito. It was an awesome ending to a great day!

If you look closely, you can see the manatee's nose. =)

 

 

Our kids are always so worn out on vacation. The sleep and nap SO well! In all honesty, I nap and sleep well to!

 

 

We went to the nature preserve on Sunday morning, which is an excellent place to search for sea glass. We found lots of great pieces for our collection and the boys had fun playing in the water and on the beach. Evan was super excited to find a shrimp during his exploration and he happily shared it with Preston, since he likes all the cool creatures too.

My Sweet Boys

"I found a shrimp!"

Preston loved playing on this log. I don't think it looks like much fun, but he had a ball!

 

Playing in the sand is lots of fun!

 

 

This is the path back to the street from the nature preserve and I always think it looks so pretty!

After the nature preserve, we went to the Key West Garden Club, which is a favorite spot for both boys. They love to run around and explore. The highlight of the trip for Evan, was that he was able to catch two lizards! He was THRILLED! The first one jumped away pretty fast, but the second one was pretty laid back and Preston was able to hold it too, before it scurried away.

Key West Garden Club

Preston fit perfectly in this little cubby area in the wall!

Evan had fun catching lizards.

On the way back home for lunch and swimming, we walked along Higgs Beach.

Why are all of the birds flying around like crazy?

Preston is chasing them and trying to catch them, of course!

This is someone's house and we pass it at least once a day while we are here. I think it is gorgeous!

We went down to the harbor at night time to see the Christmas lights. We had a lot of fun and we even managed to score take out from The Café, which is a restaurant that typically closes on Sunday! I was super excited and although they were out of a lot of our favorites, the food we got was delicious!

 

Here are two cool Christmas trees from the harbor. There were more and many of the boats had decorations too, but unfortunately, taking pictures of lights at night is hard and many of our pictures did not turn out well.

 

 

Our Monday was pretty laid back. The boys were content to stay inside and play and watch shows for most of the morning, which was relaxing. We did make it over to Casa Marina for fishing and swimming though. Evan caught some fish and Preston worked on his swimming skills. He can swim a bit on his own now, which is so cool! Way to go, Preston.

A nice man that just docked after fishing, helped Evan with his fish. Apparently, this kind has teeth!

 

This pelican jumped in the water as soon as he saw Evan reeling his fish in! He is pretty smart!

Preston loves jumping in the pool!

Way to go, Preston!

On Tuesday, we had another laid back day. We spent most of the day at Casa Marina exploring the tide pools and swimming in the pool. Carl and I got a special treat in the evening, when Bonnie Mom and Grandpa watched the boys so we could go out to lunch and take a sunset cruise! We ate a Santiago's which was delicious and had a blast on the boat.

Our sunset cruise was lots of fun! The sunset was gorgeous!

Our last full day in Key West was on Wednesday. Carl took Evan to Geiger Key in the morning and they had lots of fun exploring. When they returned, Bonnie Mom and Grandpa joined us for a sea glass finding trip and a trip to the wildlife center.

Evan really enjoyed all of the cool structures on Geiger Key. He also liked the wildlife!

On the way to search for sea glass, Evan wanted his picture taken. Afterwards, Preston wanted his picture taken too!

 

At the wildlife center, Evan caught another lizard! He let Preston hold it too, which was so sweet.

 

 

Carl and I tried to get dinner out, but since it was new year's eve, everything was super crowded. We just watched the sunset and returned home to get food delivered from The Café and play with the boys as we rang in the new year!



 

We left Key West on Thursday afternoon, but we were able to have fun at Casa Marina and at Bonnie Mom and Grandpa's pool before we headed up to Fort Lauderdale. Evan found whelk at the beach and both boys had fun doing flips in Grandpa's pool.

We stayed at a hotel in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday night, since our flight left so early on Friday morning. The boys really liked the hotel, especially the large atrium with the Christmas decorations and waterfalls. They also liked the pool and getting to eat pizza on the bed!

These pictures were taken shortly after leaving Key West. Clearly, vacation is hard work!

When we arrived home, we got to open all of the big presents that Santa left, so it made for a fun morning! The boys really liked all of their gifts and we had lots of fun playing together.