Sitting in the Lap of Luxury

We spent five whole days in gorgeous Naples, Florida this past week. I have to say, this is one of my all time favorite vacations. (Besides the fact that my husband was not there and believe me, I wished him there every day!) The weather was perfect, the water was gorgeous and the resort we stayed in was beyond fabulous. I have stayed at the LaPlaya before but this time I actually got to go on vacation and not have to work the whole time. It was wonderful!! My whole family went and this was Gavin's first experience at the beach and riding in the RV. Let's just say, I will probably have a hard time strapping him into a car seat from this point on.

So excited about going on a trip!

Riding down the road in the RV

Finally arrived at the LaPlaya!

Gavin had a blast. He was not a fan of the beach though. We would put him down and he did not appreciate that inviting feeling you get when you dig your toes in the sand. He rather thought it was annoying and preferred to be held.

First trip to the beach. Did not want to be put down but wouldn't stop staring at the waves either.

Second trip to the beach. Same reaction.

The view from our room

So happy!

But he loved everything else about living in the lap of luxury. He is all about pushing the buttons on elevators, he could spend the rest of his days eating scrambled eggs and pancakes, the entire hotel staff was completely in love with him and he could totally get used to watching dolphins every morning off of a balcony. (We would wake up and like clock work, there they were right off the shore, eating fish and doing flips in the water. It was amazing.)

Riding down the street in style

When we checked in, the girl at the front desk loved him so much she gave him this boat.

Nothing like napping like a rich kid.

I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the propane industry people that I used to work for. I realized how much I miss some of them and it was so nice catching up and introducing them to Gavin. Although a lot of the newer people that I have not met due to my abscence from the industry thought that David was Gavin's dad. That was comical! But Gavin made quite an impression on everyone. He had our entire table in hysterics at the convention committee dinner with his impression of a bomb going off. (Ask him about it, he will gladly do it for you.) At the banquet he got out on the dance floor all by himself and danced and clapped to the band. The whole room was watching and cheering him on. It was a moment I was so caught up in, I never even thought to video it. My face hurt so bad at the end of the night from smiling so much.

At a banquet dinner. I almost showed a little too much here!

Mr. VIP!

He was so worn out at the end of the night

Me and David at the Young Gassers social hour

A very dear friend of mine, Stephanie. We were married on the exact same day!

I was so thrilled when Dad told me we were staying an extra day. I was not quite ready to leave and one more day on the beach was just what I needed. I spent the day on the beach with the girls I used to with at GDRA and my brother. At the end of the day, we all went to dinner. I had lobster and Gavin was in my lap when we watched the sun go down over the Gulf. It was a perfect ending to a wonderful vacation. A special thank you to my dad for letting us tag along with them and for allowing me to spoil Gavin with a taste of the good life.

Last day on the beach

Watching the sun set

Beautiful (thanks for the picture, Shari)

So now we are safely home and getting into the routine of a normal life. Gavin is back to no elevators and regular sized bathtubs. I will just have to take him to the mall for his elevator fix and we can just walk down to the pond and watch Leonardo, my dad's carp, swimming instead of dolphins. Gavin doesn't mind it a bit. He even knows his 'normal' life has its own luxuries!

And just a reminder- today is August 1st- so that means another month down on the Chad-getting-home-countdown!! Just seven more to go... Ugh.