Thursday, December 26, 2019

Florida 2019

It was a big fall with me celebrating my 40th and Nate and I celebrating our 15th Wedding Anniversary.  I guess most people would choose to go away solo but we travel so well as a family and our kids just LOVE vacations so much we figured we'll enjoy them while they are still around.  I daydreamed of what this vacation would be like for months and all our wishes came true!  It was a mix of entertainment and relaxation and we just had the best trip ever!

Bright and early out of Philly...



First stop- LEGO LAND!



Treasure hunt




Best pool toys ever!







Nice view of the lake




This was a fun site to find in the am, love these kids! 


Surprise Lego T's for a day in the park



  


Here we go, best park- fun, no lines!  We did have a few showers but still had plenty of park time and stayed dry with umbrellas and under shelter.











Fantastic Water show







 





  
















Their favorite place to dine





 Such a fun resort... but moving on!


 
 

 Took a little adjustment from quiet Lego Land but ended up having a great day at Universal!


















 And then on to our last stop- Clearwater Beach.  By the time we got there it was dark but I still enjoyed the balcony view!



The first day there they called for rain.  We just thought we'd make a quick pop over to the beach but the weather held and we got a few hours of beach time in!






Very much enjoyed the pool right at our condo!


And the view!


Nate's buddy...


So many fun things at this beach!






Someone turned 11 while we were away! We didn't bring all his gifts but he had to have a few things to open on his birthday!




The Clearwater Aquarium- their dream come true!  The "back stage tour" totally worth it!
















The kids really wanted to see gators while we were in FL.  We didn't get to see big ones but drove down the beach to this place I found.  Totally random mix of animals but so much fun!







  Her favorite!





  Then we had a wonderful birthday dinner on the beach!






With another walk out the pier.







Enjoyed a quite beach day! 






They could do this for hours... so can I! 






Anything better than McDonald's ON the beach?!?!



Family mini-golf night





With a walk for an ice cream finish!

And our last excursion... an amazing trip to Edgemont Key (our own deserted island!) Perfect way to end an perfect trip!













We did some amazing snorkeling off the shore and found tons of awesome shells









She was determined but he finally did eat it!




Our last super on vaca:(


Couldn't leave without seeing a sunset on the beach















She was so excited to get her hair wrapped!  It lasted forever, go Mama D!





Goodbye to our beach condo



That's a wrap!  This is a trip we'll certainty never forget!


Few more Fall happenings

Doughnuts with Dudes at school

Aliyah became a Junior Girl Scout


Red Out game at school



Max's lip after he collided with Aliyah in the front yard.  He was brave and we're so thankful to have Dr friends who stitched it up on the floor in their kitchen instead of having to make a trip to the ER.


40?!?!

Can't believe it's been 40 years!!!

Olive Garden and Ice Cream cake with the fam...


Our annual September Girls Trip!  This year we did DC.  We stayed in an adorable townhouse in Old Town Alexandria.   Friday we had a fun evening shopping and eating right in Old Town.  Saturday we headed into the city and did a tour of the Library of Congress, the Gardens and the History Museum.  We enjoyed a quiet dinner at the house and then headed to National Harbor to hear a wonderful military band concert and have drinks and dessert.  Sunday we made a pit stop at Ikea and came home to a big surprise!

Called "The Dog House"



Old Town Alexandria


Library of Congress











We all bought the same shirt, I made us all wear them for a picture!











Surprise to come home to our family and friends at our house to celebrate Jill and my 40th's and Lance's 50th!  Tiff, Nate, Kate and Joanne sure got us:)




So thankful for these ladies!