Fun in Florida 2009!!!

After 11 long hours in the truck (two weeks ago), we finally made it to Florida to see Chris' brother Jon, his wife Mindy, and their two boys Hunter (3) andCody (7mths). Caden and Cavin were so excited to see Hunter, and ecstatic to finally meet Cody. Cody was born the day Chris left for Iraq, so we just didnt have a chance to get down there to see him until now.
We spent most of Friday just relaxing and hanging out. We got settled into our room, checked out the view, walked around the boardwalk, and enjoyed the first full day of actually being on vacation. At dinner that night, we began making plans for the fun-filled weekend that was ahead of us.
Saturday morning we woke up and headed straight down to the beach. We had promised the kids a day all about them and the water. They wanted to play in the sand & jump in the waves. And they did just that. I even picked up a baby pool at the store for Jacie, so she had her own little area to play in the water (and eat sand of course). Caden loved the water, while Cavin much preferred to build sand castles. After the beach, Jon Mindy and Hunter met us at the resort and we took the kids down to play in the pool. There were water slides, and a little kids waterpark area. They had a blast! And then on Saturday night we just hung out at the resort, ordered pizzas for everyone, and then headed out to the Red White and Brew festival going on down Main Street. It was great...dancing in the street, beer vendors, and just an all around good time. Followed by fireworks over the ocean of course!

Starting the day with a little breakfast

Is it time to go to the water yet? On your mark.. (Caden: wait, Im not racing yet...mommy is taking my picture again!)Can we just go play? Put the camera away alreadyI like the ocean, although it is a bit chilly...can someone turn the warm water on?Again with the camera...all Im trying to do is build a castle!Daddy, you are going too far. These waves are almost bigger than me!This is more like it...my own pool and my own toys...all with the luxury of the beach and the sunshineSwimming in the pool with Aunt Mindy is fun too! And a lot less messy!Cheese!Me too!Aww, this picture was just too cute. Is everyone really watching our light-saber fight? Wait a minute? Is there some young bartender dancing in her underwear anywhere around here?
Should we get out there and dance? Nope...no matter how much you want to dance, 50+ women doing the electric slide is a little intimidating.

On Sunday, we let Mindy do the planning. She knew of a great Cool Springs for us to spend the day at. Let me tell you, it was fantastic! There was a beautiful park, with picnic tables and a playground, and a natural cool spring that ran right through the middle. We found a great spot to put our stuff, and we headed up the trail to the top of the spring. Of course, things never go smoothly on the first try...8 people+ 3 tubes + 1 lifejacket = A not-so graceful entry into the rocky bottom, current flowing, cool spring water. Ha Ha. But once we were settled, it was great. Jacie and I floated in one tube, while the boys rotated turns through the other ones. We cringed as each other banged theirknees and feet into rocks, panicked a little when Caden had floated atleast 20 feet away from everyone else, laughed when the lifejacket kept flipping Hunter upside down, and gagged when we saw Jacie eatingseaweed. But by the time we floated all the way to the swimming area, the automatic reaction was 'Let's do it again!' We stayed at the park for an afternoon picnic lunch and let the kids play at the playground, and then headed back to the resort for a fun dinner at Bubba Gump's and then, of course, more swimming in the resort pool.

Heading to the spring with my brand new Raggedy Ann doll. Daddy bought it for me!I was SO excited when he handed it to me.Hunter, Caden & Cavin. Guess which one is headed to the barbershop soon?Uncle Jon and HunterThat slide was funMaybe I'll just take the skateboard to dinnerWell, it was a good attempt...it's a 1/2 family picture. Pay no mind that Me, Jacie, Cavin or Cody arent in it! Daddy and his boysAnd then back to the pool of course. That girl loves the water!

Monday was our last day there in Daytona, and the time always flies by too fast while we are there, and goes so slow between visits. So we took advantage of another beautiful day on the water and rented Jet skis for the day. We loaded up on the Jet skis and rode out to an island to spend the afternoon. Chris and Jon went out first and before Mindy and I got a chance to point it out, we saw the jet ski go speeding throughthe 'manatee zone'. I knew right away that it was Chris. Leave it to Chris to completely defy the speed limits, even in the water. (No manatees were harmed, for those who are wondering.) The kids spent the day playing in the sand, and taking rides on the Jet skis,while Chris & I and Jon & Mindy took turns taking the Jet skis out onto the ocean waves. And yes, despite the evil looks I have gotten, even Jacie took a ride on the Jet ski. It was so much fun. Mindy and I even saw dolphins jumping out of the water. And I think I might have convinced Chris to get Jet skis for the family instead of more motorcycles. We all know that we don't need any more motorcycles. And before we knew it, it was Monday night. We had a goodbye dinner with everyone together, and we packed our suitcases to head to the next leg of our trip. Thank you so much Jon and Mindy foreverything. We are so glad we got the spend the weekend with you andyour two wonderful boys! Hope to see you again soon!!! (November?)

After a long day on the jet skisMe and Jacie! She loved the water and the jetski so much she hardly noticed the insanely huge life jacket!Jacie and her little cousin Cody!