Florida 2011

Florida 2011~
Florida 2011 with the entire Morkes Family was a success. Well, that depends on how one considers a success...I will get to that in a bit. We visited Captiva Island, Florida this past week for an entire week. We stayed at South Seas Island Resort- a huge resort on Captiva- pretty much makes up the entire island. The resort is made up of miles and miles of tennis courts, pools, beach, and villas, homes, condos, etc. It is a total family resort with tons of things for kids. The "main" pool area (because they have pools everywhere) is made up of the baby pool areas, swim school for tots, craft areas, sandboxes, ice cream and candy shops et. We enjoyed our time in the condo properties. With 14 people (4 kids), my parents rented (2) condos. Our condo area included its own shared pool and beach area, so every morning we were able to walk right outside to either the pool or beach. Our condo consisted of us and my parents...there were (2) bedrooms, so us Rojas' shared (1) bedroom (wow! that part was not fun...especially with a baby who HATES cribs and JUST wants to sleep in her bouncy seat- and every time she cried, we feared for our lives that Jacob would wake up, also, the sheets on the bed were so "crisp" that I swear everytime we moved in bed, Emerson would flinch and be ready to wake up. So, I spent the majority of our trip on the couch with Emme in her bouncy so Jacob wouldn't wake up- sleeptime was not happy time) Once the sun came up, Jacob was ready for the day - bright and early, and by the time we got out the door (which was a good 3-hours after we were up) "the boy" was ready for a nap- he even asked for it! What?! We are in Florida, by the pool/beach...what do you mean you want to sleep? So we got a couple hours in here and there outside, and then we would be inside for naptime. Once naptime ended, we would get ready for dinner. We went out a few nights for dinner and then ordered in and grilled out one night. The girls (my mom, Loren, Karen, Cara, and myself) had a nice night out one evening and with some spa services during the days and the guys went golfing a few times (3 days to be exact- Rocky only went 2 of them). It was a very easy-going trip, not very relaxing (with kids), but very nice. It rained nightly and the sun was up everyday. We were fortunate to see Brigid, David, and Chase for lunch one day as well. Jacob and Chase had fun dancing to the music at the restaurant and eating lots of great food.

We did experience some sickness, sadly. EVERY kid was sick atleast 1-5 days. It started with Mason, then Alyssa, then Jacob (high fever, coughing, runny nose, and vomiting), and now Emerson (runny nose and cough). Horrible. Most of the kids slept it off in the sun, the others had a hard time even sleeping at all at night (Emerson and Alyssa- the 2 chicklets). Sleeping was not very successful for some of us nor were dinners at restaurants, unless they were early...

Emerson LOVED the "fresh air"- we took lots of walks (since she has been couped up all Winter indoors) and the pool...her 1st pool experience, she smiled and smiled while enjoying the water in her little suits or diapers and sun hat...super cute "Little Plumper." Jacob wasn't so fond of the pool or ocean this time, he just cared about the sand...and building sand castles. People would come up to us and say- "this is the happiest kid on the beach!" He really was.

Thank you to my mom and dad for the fantastic vacation. We love you and look forward to annual Morkes Florida trips. Cheers!

"The Newlyweds"~David and Cara
Jacob and sand= Love.
Beach Beauty~ Emerson Marie

The 4 of us
Bathing Beauty...in the kitchen sink after a long day at the beach
The loves of our lives...
The 4 of us.
The 2 Boys~ Jacob (2 1/2 years) and Mason (14 months)
Happy Baby
Grandma Joey and her Baby Emme
The 2 Girls...and Uncle Jared (Emerson just about 5 months, Alyssa just about 9 months)
Mommy, Daddy...and their Little Girl
Pa and Baby Mason
Mommy and Emme
Daddy and Jacob
The 4 of us
Baby Alyssa~ 1st time at the Beach
"The King of the Beach"~ Jacob Brayden
Girls' Night~ Cara, Loren, Karen, and Jill
New Mommies~ Loren and Karen
Mom and her girls~ Jill and Cara
My dad and I~
The Devich Family~ Alyssa, Jared, and Karen
Our Princess~ Sleeping Beauty
Chunky Girl~
Our Little "Surfer Dude"