We spent a great week with Grandma and Grandpa in Florida. We always enjoy visiting with them and this trip was long overdue so the week flew by.
Here is a countdown of the fun:
10. After church on Sunday, I saw a black snake in the driveway sunning himself. He was AT LEAST 10 feet long! Actually, only about 3 feet. We both very quickly decided that we didn’t care to stick around any longer than we had to to make one another’s acquaintance. Ryan, ever the kid, got a shovel and poked around in the bushes. The girls were right out there with him, but I had seen enough!
9. Ryan and I took Ellie on a gecko hunt. After a morning rain shower we decided conditions were right for finding some. We spotted 9 within just a few minutes. Despite some strategic maneuvering, she didn’t catch any this time. It works out better for the gecko population this way…when she was younger and she played with them, they always seemed to loose their tails. Ryan did catch her a frog in the dark which was pretty impressive. Grandpa asked her if she was going to kiss it. I’m not sure if she did…I hope not.
8. One evening after dinner, we decided to have an evening walk “before” a threatening rainstorm came in. Suddenly about a third of the way into the walk, we found ourselves having to crouch under a neighbors eaves trying to avoid the downpour. We were glad no one seemed to mind that there were 8 people taking cover by their garage.
7. Grandpa took Ryan and the girls to a Spring Training game between the Orioles and the Blue
Jays. It was a hot, sunny game where icy cold refreshment was needed, but much to his surprise, Ellie dropped her italian ice on Grandpa’s shirt during the 7th inning stretch. Brrr!
It was straight to the pool when they got home to cool off. Ellie and Hannah swam for hours at a time this week and had a great time! Julia and Evan both loved the pool. Julia was able to jump in on her own and even floated with no extra support other than water wings. She is a real water bug!
6. The time we left Grandma and Grandpa’s house yesterday morning to catch our flight home. We had some bleary eyed kids – and parents, but it was an uneventful trip. I’m so thankful my kids are good travelers.
5. This number is a secret and not mine to tell 
4. As I write, which is why I have time to write, Julia is heading into her fourth hour of nap today recovering from travel. Atta girl!
3. Three boxes of popcorn and one bag of cotton candy were enjoyed by our family at the circus. Everyone enjoyed the show and Julia learned a new word while watching the high-rope walkers, “Wow!”.
2. 2 hour time zone changes do crazy things to a baby’s system. Suffice it to say that the first couple days were a bit bumpy with Evan. After that he settled in nicely scooting himself whereever he pleased loving how easy it was to maneuver on tile flooring. Today, however, he has been crawling up on all fours. I’m pretty bummed he was a day late for Grandma and Grandpa to see.
1. One new tooth for Evan appeared mid-week. Bad combination for baby – teething and traveling, well, teething and just about anything else.