Florida Trip

February 26 to March 6, 2019

We spent a week in Panama Beach, Florida at the condo Ron and Charyl rented this winter. The girls were excited and Laina got to take her first plane ride. They both did really well and we got there without incident. Though the weather wasn't overly cooperative, we still had a fun time!

Tuesday, February 26
We took off from GRR around 1:30 and after one connection, were picked up by Ron and Charyl around 6:30pm. Flying is tiring but the girls did a good job!

^Helping!

Wednesday, February 27

Our first day was a little bit of getting used to our surroundings and checking out the area. The weather was wet so we couldn't go swimming or anything. So we went to lunch and the sun came out! We were in a shopping center area and wandered around finding a few things and getting to ride the big ferris wheel! Since it cleared up and was pretty warm, the girls got to go in the pool! We saw our first sunset in Florida and Grandma and Grandpa even got me a birthday cake it was the weekend before we came down.

^The view of one of the pools from our room.

^Julie liked Dick's Last Resort...

^Let's ride!

^Julie got a pee break at the top of the ferris wheel. It was pretty clever of me, I must say.

^Scarfing cake.

Thursday, February 28
Grandma and Grandpa had a plan for us on this day. We were able to get down to the beach for a bit first. Then the rain showed up and we had to pack up the sandcastle making items. But then we went to Gulf World where they had set us up to swim with the dolphins! I ended up letting Grandpa Ron go in my place but I wish I had done it. Julie had a blast and Laina was scared but they enjoyed it! We also saw a snake, some birds and the alligators before we had to go for the day.

^Brief sandcastle building time.

^Ready to meet the dolphins.

^Julie was all about interacting with the dolphins.

^Laina was a little nervous.

^They worked with two dolphins but they really liked Samira.

^Laina's finally getting into it just before the hour was up :)

^Goofballs on the way out of the park.

^Gators!

^The kids were playing so I didn't have to share my two pies with them :D

Friday, March 1
Poor Grandma Charyl was still having complications from her shingles, so she didn't do everything with us so she would be able to get some rest. But we went to explore Panama City Beach a bit. We went to one of the piers and Julie chatted up some fisher people. We also got some lunch and went to The Yard which was a milkshake bar. Mmmmmmmm!

^Trying to keep up with sister.

^Mmmmmmmmilk shakes!

Saturday, March 2
I got to see my Ica P for the first time in forever on Saturday! She and Jacquie came all the way up to see me (and to do an awesome boudoir session!) and then we hung out for a bit. We did lunch back at that shopping center before meeting up with the rest of our crew and swimming in the pool. Laina just loved Jacquie and they both got lots of knowledge from Julie! We had a tasty dinner all together that night and the younger adults stayed for drinks after as well.

^Looking good, ladies!

^Dinner!

Sunday, March 3
It was too short with my favorite Palmers! We were able to meet them for a yummy breakfast before they had to head home. The girls smiled for photos with them too, so that was great. Miss you girls! Laina conked out on the ride back so she missed the last pool day but Julie had a blast and made friends with some girls who were there from Tennessee. It was hilarious to watch her interacting with them.

^Rollin' to breakfast.

^The girls have some new friends!

^Jules making friends by the hot tub.

Monday, March 4 / Tuesday, March 5
On our last days, Granmda and Grandpa took them to WonderWorks which was a very huge indoor "amusement park" that kind of stressed me out. But Julie loved ever second of it. The bubble making thing was pretty sweet anyway... and then the next day we went back to Gulf World because the dolphin experience included time in the zoo area, and we weren't able to do it before. We saw lots of birds and the sting rays, among other things. The girls liked it and we watched our last sunset in Florida.

^I couldn't take many photos at WonderWorks but here's Julie in a space suit.

^We are a bit off our sleep schedule here...

^BIRDS.

Wednesday, March 6
It was our last day and our flight didn't go out until later in the afternoon. I hadn't taken ANY photos with my camera other than the boudoir stuff on Saturday so we went out to the pier and beach to wander around and get some photos. The girls found lots of shells and collected them in their pockets. We got lunch with Grandpa (Grandma had to rest) and did a bit of shopping before going back to get a couple photos with Grandma and say goodbye. We'll see you in April!!!

^Found the first shell!

^Hold still and smile, you goofbutts!!!

^We love running photos.

^Collecting.

^These pockets are small but they got a lot of use.

^Surfing!

^Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!