We woke up to the glorious sunrise on a Saturday morning and loaded up the luggage we packed for our vacation and off we went! We were excited to so south and skip out of the cold for twelve days but part of us had to stay back home. Matthew did not join us this year of our winter vacation because they were in the thick of basketball practices and games! When we planned this vacation, I knew it would be close to have Matthew come along but last year it worked out and so I hoped this year would to. Matthew wasn't happy to see us all leave and really I didn't blame him. Life lessons happen in moments like these and even though we really wished for him to come along, it was his sport that kept him home.
We boarded the plane and off we went!
Sarasota, Florida, has been a vacation spot for us for many, many years! The kids love it! We love it! The local ice cream shop has become a hot spot to visit each evening. Normally, I am the one going out for groceries after we arrive, but this time everyone went along to Detwilers to grab some basics, some favorites, some fruits and veggies and water!
The next day was Super Bowl and we watched and cheered from this sweet home just outside of Pinecraft!
The weather was great while we were there! It was cooler when we arrived but warmed up by day three and beautiful from there on out!!!! We went to the beach often! Siesta and Lido are our favorites! The kids loved the snow cone treat after a day in the sun!
Tuesday night, was a big game day for Matthew and the Linville Hill Warriors!!!! We hated to miss this game but so proud that they won!!! We were able to watch online/live! John and Kathy and Matt and Lena and Mike and I met at a Flemings to eat that night and Mike was nothing but a tangle of nerves! He barely ate and took most of his delicious food home to eat later that night or the next day! He was so nervous for Matthew and really wanted them to win!!! And they did!!!!! Now they move on to the finals!!!!
The boys cut down the net as a victory sign for their team!!!! This is a big win!!!!
Mike and I went out on a date night/Valentines Date on Wednesday and really enjoyed this place! The setting was so beautiful tucked back in the trees right along the water! I love you Babe!!!!! You are my forever Valentine!
Foods in Florida are wonderful! Jeremiah made us shrimp tacos one night and they were delicious! It was great to eat at the house and watch the Super Bowl! Strawberries, grapefruits and sweets are the best!!!!!
On Valentines Day, our family went to El Melvin to eat! It's a fun Mexican restaurant and it's also Jeremiah's birthday! He chose this place and we had a blast with Ritchie and Matt and Lena joining us!
Austin found a geranium flower and gave it to me for Valentines!
All things hearts on Valentines Day you know!!!!
We spent a lot of time on the beach!!! Most days we found someone we knew on the beach and the kids loved to me there with cousins! The kids dug big holes in the sand and then wash off in the ocean! So fun!
Mike went golfing with Bob and so I took the kids to go look for some shells near the Mote Aquarium. We didn't find many shells but they had the best time water side collecting things to make a house! There were boats in the water behind us, the sun was shining, I had my camera handy and it was just a fun time enjoying Florida!!!
Hadassah and Jeremiah met us there to but then went to Lido Beach! We met them there in late afternoon and there was a fog on the whole beach! I still had my camera and hoped the fog would make for some dreamy pictures!!!! I was right! The Littles had such a good time playing in the sand, splashing in the ocean, looking for more sea shells, flipping and running and chasing seagulls! The day was just perfect!!!
See how the fog added so much whiteness!
When we left the Mote area, we ate lunch at The Old Salty Dog! Then we went to Lido!
Before we went on vacation, we had a book exchange at church with the ladies. I'm not much of a reader but I love books that are recommenced by friends and this book I borrowed from my friend Clarita! It's such a good read! I also borrowed a cookbook from Beth and I made some recipes from it while on vacation. These crepes were easy to make and an easy breakfast before heading to the beach! I filled them with Nutella, yogurt, granola and fruit! Delicious!
Yogurtology has been a family favorite for years now! We pass it on the way home from the beach and the kids could eat this every day if we allowed it! So fun to see them enjoy it again!
Friday night, was another big game for Matthew! Mike flew home to watch this game! The rest of us watched from the Florida house and cheered!!! The Warriors were in the finals at Lancaster Bible College VS Mount Calvary! The ended in second place but we are so proud of this team!!! We did make it Districts and we can't wait to all go watch these upcoming games!!!! Good job Matthew! Mike flew back to Florida Saturday morning!
Going on vacation the same time Matt and Lena and their children are there, was great! Lena invited us to join them at a pool and this was the drive back home! These boys have so much fun together!
Another day on the beach!!! Lido has become a favorite and this time we went way down to the end where the boys fished!
There was a dead crab on the beach that they all wanted to hold.
It was another gorgeous day on the beach!
Wiffle Ball on the beach!
We cooked burgers on the beach for supper and while Austin and Adrian were eating, a kid came up to them and gave them this boggy board. They were delighted and Austin went straight out to give it a try!
Zayla's little tent was a good wind breaker for Hadassah after chilling from the sun!
St. Armonds Key is right outside of Lido Beach and we love to walk around the circle and find us some treats! Kilwins has the best!!!!
Monday night was going to be another big night for the Warriors but there was a forfeit and that gave us a win!!!
We had one last full day in Florida and we took the kids to the park in the morning for them to play some basketball and then we took a bike ride to see the big alligator behind the park! My parents arrived in Florida a few days before we came home and what a ride!
Then we went to the beach for one last big dose of sunshine! Jason's arrived and Ashlyn was delighted to have a day on the beach with Shakia!
John and Mim arrived to and Colson and Austin had fun on the beach too!
We stayed at Uncle Merv's house and the day before we left, the brand new pool was finished up and filled. The Littles took a dip in the water but it was freezing cold!
I love this man!!!
Little Miss Zayla and Little Miss Ashlyn!!!!
Such a sweet vacation!!!!
With sun kissed skin, our bags repacked and ready to go back home to Matthew and Ginger, we spent one last night in Sarasota! JR and Ann Fisher and their children sang at the local Postal Cafe and we joined the crowd! We love this family and their songs!
We left early Wednesday morning and ate breakfast on the plane! This was such a fun vacation and the only thing missing was Matthew!!! We all miss him like crazy and can't wait to come back home to see him and watch more basketball games!!!
Home Sweet Home!!!!
