Florida 2011 -2012

We are very thankful for another wonderful family vacation.  We spent 10 days in Florida at the resort my Grandparents live in. We "camped" out across the park from them in the trailer they bought for occasions such as this. It doesn't feel much like camping, but I suppose that is actually just what it is - with lots of amenities! We picked Kevin and Kade up from school on the 23rd and were on our way at about 2:30pm.  Jonathan drove until about 3:30am and then we stopped to sleep (in the van) for a few hours. We were on the road again at 7:30am and arrived at our destination at 1:30pm on Saturday.  It was very warm when we arrived - 26C or so, so the first thing on the agenda was the pool for Jonathan and the kids (grocery store for me!)

It was so nice to be in t-shirts and shorts!

 . . . and to soak up some sun!  You don't realize how little sun you actually see sometimes during our winters, until you feel it on your face and are just able to bask in it for a while!  We had amazing weather the whole week considering it was December!  What a treat!

Kevin (and sometimes Kade would join him) enjoyed playing tennis on the roadway when ever we were at our site.  The kids all occupied themselves really well this year - although, we did hear occasionally if Jonathan and I sat around a bit too long, that "there is nothing to do!"  Imagine that!! Sounded lovely to me!

Christmas Day we did stockings after church as per tradition.   I think the favorite thing they got - for me and them - was a $5 American bill which they got to spend however they wanted the day we went to the market in Eustis.  It was really neat to watch them scoping things out and deciding what was the best way to spend their money.  It was great for us too, b/c not once did we get asked, "Can I have this? or Can you buy me that?"  It was interesting to watch how they spent it too - Kevin kept hoarding it until we were nearly done and then he still had $4 left.  He wanted to look everything over before making any rash purchases - this surprised me coming from him!  They all went home with lots of loot - you can do quite well with $5 at the market there!  It was a good experience and made the market one of the highlights for everyone.

Sunday night we went out for a drive to see some Christmas lights.  Our destination was Cottom Farms which puts up a fabulous display across their huge property.

I'm not very smart about taking pictures in the dark, but the blue light in the middle is their home and you get a bit of an idea how many decorations are scattered throughout their property!

The next few are taken at another home that we passed by on the way to Cottom Farms. It was also a very impressive display.

This was the warmest evening that we had there - it was 22C as we walked around b/w 7 and 8pm.  I feel like I don't even wear shorts in the evening at home in the summer, but here it was just so lovely!

Our tour guides!

And this was a park in town - again the amount of lights is just crazy - but very dramatic and beautiful!

Can you see Kade;)?

Christmas Day we had lunch with a large group of Grandpa and Grandma's friends/neighbours.  They playetd the $5 gift game and G & G also had gifts for the kids so they would feel included too! They all loved the things they got. This was a part of Kylie's gift - which she named FRUSTY!

The next morning we went for a walk along the canal where the boats are docked. It is very dirty and is where the alligators hide out.  As we strolled along, Kylie lost her grip on Frusty and into the water he went.  The tears fell fast! Jonthan was able to perform the rescue by lying down on the edge (with me holding his legs) and reaching way out to bring Frusty back!  Dad was the hero!

Here is a soggy Frusty!

 . . . and a relieved Kylie examining him. He got a blow dry when we got back home!

Searching for alligators and other wildlife.

Pool time! Jonathan and the kids swam every day - the kids often for more than 3 hours. (I made it in 3 or four of the days!)  Kylie and Kade are real water lovers and Kylie had no fear to start off, so she progressed very fast.  She could swim across the pool by herself in no time - but only if Jonathan and I were in the pool with her - otherwise we preferred that she remain where she could touch!

Jonathan and Kevin and Kade did a 9 hole round of golf pretty much every day just before supper.  This was a highlight for Kevin (and Jonathan too I think!)

This is the only alligator we spotted this year - except the one at the market. There was a man there from the wildlife association who had a two year old alligator with him.  The kids got to pet/feel it and Kevin and Kade each took a turn holding it too. I wish I would have had my camera, but I didn't!

Morning stroll . . . (or sit).

More swimmming . . .

It generally took Kevin quite some time to make it into the water. He would have to psych himself up for what seemed like a rather long time sometimes . . .

Kade as a shark . . . He kept wanting me to take pictures of him while he was underwater - pictures that really don't amount to too much!

Kylie got spoiled with icecream twice - once by Grandpa and once by someone else we met at the pool who just wanted to buy her an icecream!  This was one of the neater things about this year - we met the same people at the pool just about every day and got talking to them and go to know them a bit.  All of the kids had friends about their ages who they played with nearly every day at the pool or minigolf. This was kind of special!

Kylie also got a colouring book from G&G.  She spent a lot of time just before supper or in the early mornings filling page after page.  (Until this week, she never really liked colouring!)

She also had a fascination with cleaning up and organizing. The trailer was most often in a very neat state due to her diligence. She'd tidy up and sweep and do dishes and straighten shoes - and it was always her idea!  She even helped out at Grandpa and Grandma's - and they only had to search for a few "misplaced" items after she was through!  She was  a big help on packing up day too! (and so far it's carried on at home too which is wonderful!)

Kade drying the dishes.

We went to Rogers Park/Venetian Gardens in town one morning.  The kids played at the playground and then we took a walk. (and some pictures)

Picking clam shells.

Then back at the pool . . .

 . . . learning the back float - and doing really well at it!

Kade trying to help Kevin get wet!

Keep away was a favoite pool time game and they played nearly every day with friends - young and old!

We went for a boat ride with G&G again this year. Kylie was pretty sure she didn't want to go and was going to stay home by herself.  She ended up loving it and was tromping all over the boat in no time.  When Kevin first took the wheel, she asked if Grandpa would drive, but she was soon comfortable with Kevin and Kade taking their turn too.

We spent quite a few evenings at Grandpa and Grandmas house - playing Euchre, Pepper, or Queen of Spades. This was lots of fun too!

And we played without interruption b/c the kids were busy with their own thing too (this was Kev filling up my camera!)

And then very, very quickly our vacation time was up and we went very quickly from sand angels . . .

 . . . to snow angels!

And from swim suits, to snow suits! (I hadn't even pulled them out yet this winter, so as I unpacked shorts and t-shirts, I also had to unpack boots and snowsuits from the closet!)  But the kids are enjoying the snow too - lots of trips to the hill, snow forts, and a snowman!

Our drive home was a bit slow - we got stuck in pure ice in Tennessee.  It was very quick and sudden and as we slowed down, we tended to slide sideways towards the median. This was a bit nerve wracking for me (and I wasn't the one driving!)  Everyone on the highway ended up moving to the right lane, grabbing the rumble strip for traction and then holding on! There was obviously an accident ahead b/c we sat for more than three hours in one spot.  We ended up turning the van off and getting comfortable a few times.  This was from 8-11:15pm.  Once we got moving, the icy spot was left behind very quickly. I think b/c we were in the mountains, it was a very isolated spot which we were thankful for!  Jonathan made it all the way home without sleeping - and when we got within a half hour of home, we hit the snow over here! So the last bit was a bit slow too, but at least it was familiar territory. We got home at 8:45 Tuesday morning.  I'm not sure it was home sweet home. We kind of felt like turning around and going back!  But home is home and there is plenty of wonderful things about being home too! It doesnt' take long to get swept away with life's busyness again.  I am thankful for a few days at home before we think about school again!  Vacation time with family is a real blessing for us.  It is such a treat to spend 10 days together with absolutely nothing on the schedule except to relax and enjoy eachother's company.  We really do feel blessed to be able to get away and have these opportunities!   Thanks so much to Grandpa and Grandma for their wonderful hospitality and for putting up with us! We had a fantastic time and are already looking forward to next time . . .