Jamaica!

We've never been on a destination wedding, but let me tell you what, there is little better than a trip to Jamaica in February, for a wedding!  In fact, we had such a great time that the cousins are considering upgrading cousin's camping into cuzzies all inclusive getaway - dubbed "Cuzzies Upgraded"  in Feb for all future years!

We weren't there for long, only 4 days but we made the most out of our time there and enjoyed every last drop of sunshine and warm before heading back to freezing Chicago and snow.  We're so grateful that Taylor and Wes gave us a reason to drop the kids with my parents and hop on a plane to paradise for a few days.  We'll be down for destination weddings from here on out...who is next!!?!

I mean, this was the view from our little balcony.  Ryan and I stayed on the first floor and we had a great view of the ocean.  I mean, the "slamming doors" neighbors weren't ideal (how many times could you go in and out of a room in one day!?!) but we spent next to no time in our room anyways. 

Wisconsin Dells (round 6)

It wouldn't be early March without a trip to the Wisconsin Dells.  After doing this trip yearly for 6 years now, mostly with the same group....we are all in a routine.  We're good at this trip now.  We're all on the same page, roughly on the same schedule and us mom's have the planning down pat!

Even the kids know what to expect and boy do they get excited about this trip.  I think it's a combination of them all getting along really well, the fun of getting out and doing something different, the warm water and the general desire to just put winter behind us....whatever it is...we really enjoy this trip every year.

Someday Conner will look back on pictures like this and realize what a lucky guy he was!  Who knows...there maybe a potential girl friend sitting right here....only time will tell!

It's funny - since we've been doing this trip around the same time each year my Timehop app gives me a string of pictures from years past in the days and weeks leading up to our trip.  It's always fun (and a little sad!) to look back and watch how the kids have grown over the year.  I remember posting one saying how big Abby looked (two years ago!) and now, here we are...she's turning into a real big kid!!  Good thing I still have my tiny sweet Hazel!

I said it at Halloween and I'll say it again...this age (Abby 6 and Hazel 4)...this is when we finally arrived.  We arrived at parenting where the kids can do a LOT on their own!  They go off, run and play and come back to check in with us.  They are independent and able to watch out for each other and stay together as a group (for the most part).  One more year and little Lucy will be tagging along with the big kids.  One more year and we'll all be here!!! I'm not wishing away the days....I know better than that!

I'm so glad I do the monthly family photos...otherwise the only pictures of me would be in the form of selfie.  At least I've got some pretty cute sidekicks!

1 Family x 12 (March)

It wouldn't be March without a family photo at the waterpark!  More pictures from this trip to come....

Also - Dear Warm Weather - we have been waiting for you for a long time.  Please hurry up!  We're ready for swim suit weather.....