Florida 2013

Being in need of a good trip down memory lane and also finally finding a bit of time (though I'm sure I should be making lunches . . .) I finally am getting around to sharing my Florida pictures.  Enjoy a quick peak into what we will soon (SURELY!!) be enjoying here as well.

Here we are - on the road  - on the way to pick up the boys from school. Karter is in his big boy car seat for the first time and seems to rather enjoy it.  Little did he know at this point that it would be his prison for the next 20 hours! 

We left Wednesday after school and made it to the Florida Welcome Center by 11ish on Thursday morning.  This is always the most welcome sight.  We usually try to make a pit stop here - usually involves getting kids out of pj's and brushing teeth etc . . . and of course the cup of free orange juice. 

 One of the picture stops in the Welcome Center.

We arrived at our destination at about 1:30ish and after quickly unpacking, we got right down to business!

Karter kept up his walking practice - though it was tough going with the uneven ground.  He did a lot of the "monkey walk" (hands and feet - no knees) which was very funny to watch - but saved his poor knees on the concrete.

We spent our afternoons at the pool.  Even on the cooler days, the pool area was warm.  No wind.  Perfectly blue skies.  Lovely.  We did have a few cloudy days too, but then the temperatures were a bit higher.  All in all, the weather was great - not as warm as some other years, but certainly a most welcome reprieve to winter!

Kylie was our fish this year.  She probably spent over 20 hours in the pool this holiday. I bet she was in for at least 2.5 -3 hours every day.  It was incredible.  She found a friend who was there quite a few of the days that we were (who interestingly enough lives only about an hour away from us!), and they played together so nicely.

Karter also had absolutely no qualms about the water.  He never ever flinched going in and seemed to quite enjoy being in.

Kade and his gecko.  One of their favorite things to do when not swimming is to track down geckos in the gardens by the pool.

My three boys.

The view from my chair. I loved the bright colours.  I thought it  made a cool picture;)

Karter usually had at least a short nap in the stroller by the pool . . . this was about the only time I got any reading done.  Funny how you can envision polishing off all kinds of books -- but it just doesn't happen!

We had to keep a close eye on this guy.  He didn't seem to be too afraid of the water at all.   He was quite comfortable with his surroundings. 

Kevin - my growing boy!  He is rather incredulous regarding the fact that Jonathan and I like to sit and relax while we are on vacation.  He said to me, " I can't imagine sitting still like that.  There are so many things to do.  I just can't stop moving!"   Ahhh. Someday Kev.

The cereal she picked out at the grocery store had to make it on to the picture too - which apparently actually didn't taste all that great - until we came home and the alternative was porridge. Then it disappeared fairly quickly!

Our transportation.

Grandpa borrowed bikes for Kevin and Kade and they really enjoyed that.  It kept them busy and freed up some space on the golf cart too!

Always a treat to eat outside.  Food seems to just taste yummier!

Karter had a few repairs to do while everyone else was off playing/watching volleyball.  Kevin was allowed to play volleyball with Jonathan this year and he LOVED it!!

Grandpa took us out on the boat.  Karter thought it was pretty great!

We saw some wildlife . . .

 . . . .and some beautiful views.

Karter was quickly lulled to sleep and missed out on most of it.  But he had a good nap:).

On our way back in, Jonathan did manage to spot a gator! . . . though it didn't take long for him to disappear under the water. 

We saw this guy along the canal right at the end of the boat ride.

We didn't do much golfing this year, but we did make it out two times.  Somehow the days just weren't long enough to fit in all the things we wanted to do!

The spectators.

I couldn't do a post without mentionning the suckers!  Grandpa had suckers for the kids everytime we went for coffee.  Karter got pretty good at handling them . . . but he sure got sticky!

Out for a walk to the canal to see if the gator was out . . . .

 . . . and he was!!

We always enjoy this sign.

He got up and turned around so we could get a different view . . . I think I prefer the side view myself:)

We went to Venetian Gardens before going to the Golden Corral (a tradition).  The park was under construction, so we didn't end up walking through it, but we did stop to take pictures anyway.

Kevin

(that's the closest to a smile he came - and he was trying!)

Kade

Kylie

(she gets two b/c I just love the look on her face on this one!)

Karter

And All of us!

And that brings me to the end of my pictures.  Time flew, but every moment was enjoyable . . . well maybe not waking up freezing cold and finding that Jonathan had every bit of the sheets and wouldn't hand them over!  The mornings often started off quite cool - maybe around 5 degrees Celcius a few times . . .but they warmed up quickly.  We visited the market again this year, but it was one of the colder mornings and my fingers were numb by the time we were done.  Our plan of heading out bright and early was a good one - we were back by the time it warmed up, but it did make for a different kind of browsing. Brrrr.  The kids got their $5 to spend again and that was the funnest part for me  . . . and them I'm sure too.  We also went garage saling one morning.  Other than that, we stayed pretty close to "home".  We did get a light rain one morning too - apparently one of two rains they had all winter.  That was my chance to hit WalMart and track down some flip flops for Jonathan.  By the afternoon it was nice enough to swim and sit by the pool again.  We enjoyed a bit of tennis and Kevin is becoming quite the competitor.  Jonathan now prefers to play with him rather than me so that he has a bit of competition!   We enjoyed coffee times with Grandpa and Grandma and the kids were always excited when we got to go there.  With Kevin and Kade having bikes, I think they made their way over there frequently enough!

We are so thankful to Grandpa and Grandma for allowing us this opportunity yet once again and for getting things all set up ahead of time.  We really are able to relax and just have fun. Thanks so much!!

And now we are once again "enjoying" winter (though the calendar tells us it is spring).  It is easy to look back at these pictures and feel like it was ages ago already. It is easy to get right back into routines and busyness . . .which is why I'm so thankful for these chances to leave it behind and just enjoy our family. 

Yet another blessing I am thankful for.