Pirates, Seashells, and Lizards!

We arrived safe and sound, trying to recover from the verrrrrry looooooong and tedious drive. The drive was actually pretty decent, it was just tough to drive from 9 am one morning until 7 am the next morning! Poor Gracie, when we were getting into the car yesterday she started crying and said "noooo, I wanna walk!"

We didn't do much the first day, just slept and went to Siesta Key Beach and had dinner with the whole family. Yesterday we went to the Ringling Art Museum since it was the free day. It is bigger and more beautiful than I imagined! I would love to go back someday (without the kids) so we can look through the whole museum and take our time.

Zane and Grace have been so fascinated with all the lizards and gecko's running around the place. They are not inside the house but they live outside and keep the bugs in check. Zane really wants to catch one, but the little buggers run fast!

Yesterday was also our 8th anniversary, and Mom and Dad watched the kiddo's so we could go out. We went to Anna Maria Island and ate at a restaurant that was RIGHT on the beach. We were outside on the patio and were able to watch the sunset! It was so romantic!!!! Then we went to Coquina Beach and took a walk in the surf. I found a little, perfect seashell to top it all off; it was the most wonderful anniversary we've had yet ;)

We are enjoying the warm weather and beaches for everyone we left behind in Colorado! Well, we are getting ready to go to Pirate's Cove to play putt putt with pirates and baby alligators!

Pit Stop!

Well, we made through the first part of our trip alive and still somewhat sane! We (Ty) drove until about 1 am, just outside of St. Louis, when we really couldn't go any longer. So, we stopped at a Budget Inn and got a room :)

The kids are doing surprisingly well on the trip so far, and since we were able to recharge our batteries somewhat, I suspect they can make it the rest of the way without melting into puddles and killing eachother! All I can say is, I've never been so happy to have nintendo and portable DVD players :)

Fear not Florida Fam, we are about halfway! I will try to update again today if we stop somewhere with free wifi (Starbuck's anyone?).

LOVE YOU ALL, keep praying for our safety!

Leaving for Florida

I won't be surprised if no one sees this post for weeks, as I'm sure everyone has given up on me! I'm blaming it all on summer... Anyone buying it? :)

It's 10 pm and I am getting the last of everything packed for our road trip to Florida tomorrow. We are driving, so we won't get there until sometime Saturday night or Sunday morning; but I really am gonna try and post picture updates along the way. We have a cooler packed with food and drinks, and backpacks packed to the brim with fun things for the kids. Of course we also have the DVD player for the car, two Nintendo DS's, a stack of fun books from the library... and sshhh, don't tell the kids that I have surprise goodie bags ready for those desperate "are we there yeeet?" moments! We'll see how it goes...

I can't wait to see you Florida family!!! BTW Dad, got your shorts ;)