Thanksgiving in Florida 2013

We had our 2nd thanksgiving in Florida this year & boy was it fun!  This time we decided NOT to take the 6am flight, but the 10 am flight instead.  That was much easier.  Although we still had a ton of stuff...4 suitcases, 1 car seat, 2 umbrella strollers....... In addition to 2 small carry ons.  We looked ridiculous!!!

Will really had no memory from flying 2 yrs ago.  He was super excited to take off.

The first few days were chilly, but that wasn't going to stop our beach time.

Brett was again in charge of carving the thanksgiving turkey.  

Kate was glued to her uncles Johnny & Josh since she really doesn't get to see them near as much as she would like to.

For something fun, Papa organized a family flag football game.  Nana made the flags & brought the face paint to make us official.

Cindy& Gary warmed up before the game, however still walked off the field with many pulled muscles.

Josh & Brett were the 2 team captains.  And they took their roles very seriously!

Half time was a much needed break after a huge dinner & lots of running around.

Brett didn't pick me to be on his team (surprise surprise). And even though MY team won, we continued to love each other in the end.

Kate & Will requested to go back to the Clearwater aquarium again to see Winter, so we did.

And they loved it!

It wasn't busy at all. We got real close the dolphins. Kate & Will even got to go on a platform with the trainer & pet the dolphin.  What a highlight!!

We found an awesome park in Clearwater that the kids enjoyed after a yummy

 seafood lunch.

Kate decided she wanted to jump on this giant trampoline.

And loved it!

A few days we just relaxed on the beach & in the pool.  One day an ice cream truck came to visit.

The kids thought that was awesome.

And a trip isn't complete without building a sandcastle.

And attempting to surf in the ocean.

Will kept a bag of Cheetos by his side to feed the hundreds of birds flying around.

Kate had so much fun.

We rented bikes one day for something fun to do.  Brett & I could ride on the beach, but it was a little tough for the kids.  So they ended up riding around & around in the parking lot instead.

On our last day in Clearwater we all drove over to the Tradewinds Resort in St. Petersburg.  This is the hotel that I stayed in with my family every year when I was growing up!

K

Johnny & I remembered so much of the hotel from when we were young. It was fun to see it all again.  The paddle boats were always a favorite of ours.

Kate really enjoyed them too.

 

We ended our time in Clearwater with drinks at the Tiki Bar at the TradeWinds.  Once again, we had so much fun and created so many memories together!  Brett, Kate, Will and I then headed over to Orlando for the 2nd half of our trip.  Mom and Dad, Johnny and Josh enjoyed 1 last quiet adult night at the condo before parting ways the following day. 
Until next time!!