Florida baby...

We may not be living the dream as far as our housing goes but as far as our weekends go I think we are pretty close! I had expressed to Jack shortly after arriving here in Florida that we should set a goal that for three weekends a month we focus on an activity, possibly rotating between a beach, a golf course, and a SeaWorld park. It was a way to have something to look forward to most weekends and a way to feel like we were really taking advantage of all that Florida had to offer... something I wish we had tried harder to do during our time in Ohio. For the most part we've stuck to the plan. Here are the beaches we've covered over the past few months:

Daytona Beach (Atlantic side): What we loved was they have parking right on the beach and the sand is so hard packed there is no worry of getting stuck. It was so nice not having to schlep all the junk from the car. It was a wide open beach, and never felt crowded even though there were quite a few people there. Waves were perfect for boogie boarding. We will need to return as we didn't even get down to the boardwalk and pier which we've heard is quite nice. Was surprised to see how gigantic the Speedway there is too. We told the kids we'll definitely have to take in a Nascar event here sometime!



Caspersen Beach/Venice Beach/Siesta Beach (Gulf Side): I targeted this area of beaches (specifically Caspersen Beach) because I had read they were popular places to hunt for shark teeth and shells which I thought the kids would enjoy. It seemed crazy that one area of beaches along a coast would be known for shark teeth but that's what they say! What we didn't know however was that it's usually best to bring a colander to search through the sand with when trying to find the teeth. There were people all over the beach combing through the sand with all sorts of various home made devices. Unfortunately it was a bit windy and the water was choppy and churned up so we were told it was a bit trickier to find them. So after little luck finding shark teeth, we decided to head to a couple other beaches.



Venice beach was a great big beach with lots of shells and we loved beach combing here. I overheard several people saying how churned up the water was here also and judging from the fact there were waves when there usually aren't I would imagine that was true. We still had a great time here.




Siesta Beach was our last stop on this day. I was curious to see what made 2017's "#1 Beach in the US" so special. It was definitely a nice wide beach with probably the finest sand I had walked on but being the water was also churned up and choppy here, I'm certain it didn't look as good as it would normally look. But Sage was ok with that because she was dying to get out and tackle the waves. She cracks me up. No fear and completely ok being the only one going out while Connor and Ty rested!



Caladesi Island State Park (Gulf Side) : This beach had been on my list and it's definitely one we'll return to. We spent the day here with our friends the Tervorts and that made it even more fun! It's actually not far from Tampa but by far the prettiest beach we've been to in Florida. You take a small ferry over to the island and then you do have a small walk to get to the beach but it was worth it! When I think of Florida Gulf side beaches, this is what I imagine. Fine white sand, turquoise waters, and little wind...



After Jack's sandwich got snapped out of his hand from one of these birds it became a game to hold chips up in the air and watch as the birds came in for the grab! Sometimes it was a little scary as you can see from how quickly Connor tried to escape...lol!





Who would have thought with the weather we had at the beach that within a half hour of heading home, we'd drive straight into this storm! That's Florida summer weather for you!




Jetty Park at Cape Canaveral (Atlantic side): This is where we spent the last Friday of summer before the kids started the new school year! The Morris' had invited us to join them and how fun it was. The kids all had a blast, so much that we had to plead with them to come in because not only had we been there all day and were supposed to be back in time for swim practice but also because it was clear we probably had a bunch of lobsters on our hands since although everyone had polished themselves with sunscreen earlier, heaven knows it wasn't going to have lasted all day.

Shortly after we got all set up on the beach this loomed in the distance...



While we waited for the storm to pass and the seas to calm this crazy gang went hunting for crabs...



But within thirty minutes all was well and the boogie boarding began...and seemed to never end...with the exception of a brief lunch break.



We won't mention how badly burnt everyone was by the end of the day as they will all tell you it was worth it and I have to admit, for this view I'd say it was all worth it too!



Toronita Ave Beach Park (Wilbur-by-the-Sea) (Atlantic side): Gotta love a ward party at the beach! The kids have some really great friends they've met here in our ward which warms my heart! It was actually a nice break to have an overcast day where we didn't have to worry as much about sunburns as it was a thick cloud coverage until the last hour we were there. This beach was great because even though it was a weekend it was totally dead, the waves were great and of course the beach big with parking right across! The only casualty? Jack's wrist which he managed to break on the skim board...I will refrain from saying "I told you so" because I know he always has the best of intentions when he decided to buy it a couple weeks ago but I always thought these boards were a recipe for disaster. Thankfully I don't think we'll have to worry about it making another beach appearance. Maybe we can make some cool outdoor shower for the house with it...




We can always count on Ty for a few laughs...A sure sign of a full day of boogie boarding and some chafing...



So there you have our beach wrap up for the past few months! LOVE Florida!

Utah Memories Summer 2017

As nice as it would have been to be moving into our house as originally planned this summer, we made up for it with a fabulous trip out to Utah. Once we learned our house wouldn't be complete, Jack kept encouraging me to take the kids to Utah for as long as possible as he spent much of last summer in Florida and knew that between our small quarters and the horribly hot summer weather we'd go stir crazy. Luckily I listened and how perfectly everything worked out. We spent the first week together as a family celebrating my dad, and enjoying some of our favorite things. Here are a few highlights!

Boating on Deer Creek:

Sage always wanting to keep up with the boys...does she really have any other option?!?



Who do you trust behind the wheel?!?



Or who do you trust with the selfie stick?!?



Always fun times with the fam...



We spent July 4th doing what we love to do most...celebrating Grandpa! We kicked off the day out on the golf course! Somehow we managed to miss capturing a photo of the whole gang. Jack did manage to capture Ty's pancake he was so excited about eating at the lodge after...




And then it was time for yard games and celebrating this special man!




Are these not the best looking and cutest sets of twins ever?!?



Love seeing Steve who is always great about flying in from San Jose to spend time with all of us!



Another great day was spent on Utah Lake with Rick and Eydie. We always have so much fun with them. So glad my parents have such awesome best friends who we love too!



It wouldn't be a complete trip to Utah without a trip to the ball field to watch Paul play in his softball tournament.



Speaking of tournaments here are Amy, Jack, Paul and Sean having their own tournament...



Look who made it by on his birthday...Teagen! Granted it was only for a few minutes as it wasn't Sean's scheduled time. Sadly my trip to Europe timed at the exact time Sean would be getting Teagen and Chaz for a couple weeks but at least the cousins all got to spend time together while I was away. Unfortunately this is the only photo I got during our brief time with Teagen!



Jack and I getting in a round by ourselves...



After a fabulous week as a family all together, it was time for me to jump on a plane and meet my friend Wendy for a 2+ week trip to Europe which I'll post about next. A couple days after I flew to Europe Jack had to return to work but not before getting in some more golfing with the kids and my dad and brothers which always is fun for him. He got the unexpected joy of returning back to Utah while I was in Europe but sadly it wasn't for a good reason. But rather to attend the funeral service of Sister Lee, his Mission Mom who had made such a big impact on his life. I was sad to not be there with him during this difficult time but the kids were so sweet and joined him. He was asked to share a few thoughts at the funeral which was such an honor for him. I feel fortunate to have gotten to know her and President Lee over the years as they played an instrumental role in Jack's life and therefore were a part of many special moments in our lives. She will be missed but wow, what an amazing and long life she lived. Unfortunately Jack was only back in town for a few days and had to fly back to Orlando the morning that I was flying back into Salt Lake. So we just barely missed each other.

Aside from attending the funeral he managed to get in a round or two of golf with my family and the kids!



After a fabulous time in Europe I returned just in time to celebrate this guy!




Another highlight was Sage getting to have a sleepover with her best friend Tana from Ohio who was out in Utah while we were there. And I don't know what we'd do without Emery who Sage LOVES seeing and hanging out with whenever we are out in Utah! Cute girls!!!



But all good things must come to an end! In this case it was bittersweet to leave. We are always so sad to leave Grandma and Grandpa's but we were all excited to be back with Jack! How we managed not to get one family shot of everyone together when we had everyone in town is beyond me but here is the one we got before the kids and I returned back to Orlando! Love my family!!!



A special shout out to my parents and brothers for absolutely spoiling the kids while I was away in Europe. From countless trips bowling to trips to the Trampoline place and Top Golf to movies and the Canyon to hike the falls they were kept very busy. My friend Marilee was also so gracious to take the boys for several nights so they could hang out with their friend Wyatt at their cabin. It was definitely one action packed summer! I guess that made up for not being in our house...