Florida 2014

One of the fastest weeks of the year has come and gone. Literally I guess.  We always joke how we kind of get gypped during our week because we lose an hour with the time change.  But I think we make the most of our time and we had a blast and it was super relaxing . . .and need I say? . . HOT!  (what wouldn't be after this winter!) But it really was beautiful - mid twenties to 30 most days . . .except the day we arrived. I don't think it went above 12 celcius that day . . . but even that felt pretty decent . . . I mean, we didn't have to wear coats or hats or mittens! (but the leg warmers stayed).

We left after school on Thursday again and were there by 10:30am Friday morning.  If you can make it driving through the night (and I would never be able to!) like Jonathan does . . it makes the trip relatively short for the rest of the passengers who can sleep half of it away.

We are always so excited to get to the Welcome Centre and usually end up being there for a bit.  I think its b/c you are in Florida and time probably travels twice as fast there as it does in Canada. Probably explains the large population of "old" people there:)

 I think Kevin and Kade would have spent our first day playing with this computer/camera thing . . but the rest of us were kind of motivated to press on.

 Saturday was a baseball tournament at the park. We watched one game and then the clowns came on to "entertain".  You see . . . the possibilities are endless for retirement. If you don't like golf, swimming, tennis, or euchre . . .just join the clown club.  Something for everyone. 

 This was a "everybody look mad" picture.  In reality, this would never happen in our family.

 Karters first encounter with the pool. He was pretty excited about it . . .till we put him in. He warmed up to it over the week and ended up liking it, but he was just as happy on land. (which surprised me! I thought he would be a danger, b/c he absolutely LOVES his bath right now.)

 Oh the glimpses I get of my daughter at 16.

 Karter had amazing naps in Florida. He slept in his stroller at the pool for probably 2.5-3 hours every day.  He NEVER does that at home. (though he has done fairly well since we got back home!)  This was really nice b/c it meant that Jonathan and I could really relax and get some reading done too.

 We went golfing one night and Kev, Jonathan and I were going to play. Karter would have nothing of it. If he couldn't play, no one was going to play! It was pretty cute and funny . . . but we never did make it past the third hole before it got dark!

 Kylie and her Pa.

 Karter and his Ma.

 The pool is always funnest when dad gets in!

 Our gator spottings. They were out most days this year.

 And then there was "Goliath" - a pet turtle.  Not being real partial to turtles in the first place I really can't drum up too many good thoughts regarding a turtle as a pet.  Not cozy. Not protective. Not cute. Not a companion.  Unique is about the best I could come up with. But of course the kids thought it was pretty neat and they found out that a turtle does go all the way inside its shell when a certain almost two year old nearly steps on its head.  

 The clowns even came to visit us at the pool one day.

 Grapefruit eating - a Florida essential.

 The kids all had bikes to ride this year. Kevin and Kade use Grandpa and Grandma's and Grandpa bought Kylie a bike just her colour and size. She was THRILLED. Having the bikes made the boys very independent and they kept themselves quite busy.   And Karter had this to motor around on.

 Although you may think I look exhausted . .  . it is merely a case of no make up:)

 Out for a boat ride with Grandpa and Grandma. Crazy old Karter was actually a bit unsure of himself the whole ride and stayed very still and cozy with Jonathan and I. 

 Kevin, Kade and Jonathan actually got two boat rides that day b/c the neighbour took them out in his boat in the afternoon and they saw lots of cool wildlife, learned a bit more about the area, and heard some good stories.

 Getting more comfortable . .  .

 Kevin probably played 67 rounds of mini golf on this trip. (Kade accompanied him most of the time, but did get sick of it after a while!) He was able to get par and beat Jonathan by the end.

   ICECREAM. I can't remember the last time I ate so much ice cream. I bought two tubs plus way too many icecream bars and freezies. Plus there was a tub in the freezer when we got there.  Since we are the last ones, we need to empty everything out. At first it was easy. I love icecream!! But by the last day as we spooned it out of the last tub (free for all!). . . I decided it just might be a good thing to be home!

 Is this not the cutest puppy ever?  Now that is my idea of a pet!

Our attempt at our yearly Florida pictures:

 Karter loved waving at people as they passed by in their golfcarts and giving them a big "HI!"

 Kevin

 Kade

 Kylie

Karter

(this kid is impossible to get a good picture of. We should have tied him to the tree with fishing wire . . . but I'm sure that wouldn't earn us any smiles either!)

And I had to include this collage too. Kylie was mad that Karter didn't like her. (He didn't want to hold her hand or something). So it took a while to coax a smile out of her:)!

(and it is at this point that we get a BIG fingerprint smudge across the lens of the camera which I didn't notice - not sure which kid to blame since I think they all got a turn trying to get a picture of us:))

 Our smudged family picture. 

 Our Fabulous Four! 

Thanks SO much Grandpa and Grandma for all you do to make this happen for all of us. We love it and we really do find it SUPER relaxing  . . . and since that (and making memories for our children) is our major goal for our vacations . . . .we'd say we were successful. 

The End.