The Placeway Family

It’s been since the Fall of 2007 that we’ve taken a vacation so we thought we’d brave the 12 hour drive and head down to the Florida pan handle (Fort Walton Beach).  Erin had been wanting to go to “the beach” for months, even though I don’t think she actually knew what “the beach” was.  I think she may have heard her friends talking about it.  We kept the vacation a secret from her until a couple days before we left.  When we told here we were going to the beach I think she just about stroked out.  The drive was long, but worth it.  That was the first time we had even visited the Destin area.  The beach was fantastic.  We were a little worried about the weather, but had some of the best weather that area had experienced in quite a while.  We had fun, but as most parents of little ones know, these vacations are never very “restful.”  More pics after the jump…

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The four of us met up with Kerry’s sis and her friend Dawn for the Children’s Hospital’s Make Tracks for the Zoo 5K. This was our second 5K of the season. Erin participated in the 1/4 mile children’s race. I was impressed as she ran it full steam for the entire distance. Colin laid back, snackin’ on some Cheerios. More pics after the jump…

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Erin had her fourth birthday and first “real” birthday party with invited friends. Of course, we had to blow it out-the-block. Grandma P, Aunt Tara and Cousins Caleb and Abby made the trek from Indy for the festivities. Pics after the jump…

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Okay, so I’m a little late with these. I think this was the first year Erin got a grasp of the whole Christmas phenomena. She participated in our church’s Christmas play and couldn’t wait until Santa brought her presents on Christmas morning. Santa was good to her this year, but lagged considerably behind the Grandparents. At 10 months old, Colin didn’t quite understand what all the fuss was about, but loved the wrapping paper. He wasn’t into unwrapping as much as Erin, but couldn’t put enough of it in his mouth. Christmas wrapping paper must taste much better than your everyday, run-of-the-mill paper. Anyway, the kids were spoiled again this year. More pics of Christmas morning as well as Erin’s participation in the Christmas Eve Church service after the jump…

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Erin and her cousins (Emily and Andrea) participated in our church’s Christmas Play. Erin was very excited to “get on the stage,” but quickly fizzled after being up there for about 5 minutes. The best part was when she whispered to Mommy and Daddy during the play that she “had to go poop.” Ahh… the memories that we will cherish. A few more pics and a video after the jump…

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The Deweese’s made the trek from Edwardsville, Illinois to our house for some Fall festivities. We caravaned to Glencoe to ride the Wabash Frisco and Pacific 12 inch gauge Railroad on their last day of the season. The day was beautiful even though our train broke down at the end of the line. Luckily, another train arrived shortly and towed us back home. The 20 minute round-trip turned into about an hour. From there we headed over the Rombach’s farm to do some pumpkin picken, then back to our house to carve pumpkins and make some s’mores. I think good times where had by all. Hit them jump for a few pics…

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