The siren song of Florida called to us once again, and we answered…."Halooo? Yep, we'll be there!" Mom and Dad rented this year in Longboat Key, FL near Sarasota. The vacation exceeded expectations! It was awesome having a full week with Kristin, Cory, PJ, Mom and Dad and Longboat Key and the surrounding area was just gorgeous. I had no idea of its white sand beaches and glittering turquoise water. We could have been in Turks & Caicos! The weather was also amazing, which always helps. Mom and Dad rented not one, but two amazing properties with pools and views and amenities (we switched houses mid week). It actually was a lot more relaxing than I was expecting a trip with the kiddos to be. With M&D's plans to spend more winters in FL over the coming years, we are looking forward to answering more siren songs to come!
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| Really fun to see Kristin's baby bump! |
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| The cousins were so glad to be reunited! Vacation gifts from M&D:) |
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| Celebrating Mom and Dad's birthdays which were earlier that week. Photo book from our last family vacation. |
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| Ice cream treat! Claire is a girl who knows what she wants…more ice cream! |
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| Beautiful mornings on the deck looking at the wonderful water views. |
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| We had to stage some chair blocking of the stairs in order to contain the beast:) |
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| Loved the al fresco dining! |
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| and what's not to love about peel and eat shrimp? |
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| tickle, tickle, tickle! |
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| on the move! |
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| fishing off the dock of the house |
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| Matt and Cory broke open some coconuts to show the kids (after about an hour of trying) |
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| Hot tubbin' |
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| Walked to the beach from the first house |
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| PJ immediately started dancing in the waves |
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| Claire's first time on the beach as a wild child, at first unsure, but then a beach power walking machine! |
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| She loved it all! The wide open spaces, the wind in her hair, the lack of things to trip on. |
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| another wonderful lunch eating outside |
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| oyster man |
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| coconut shrimp ladies |
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| experiencing her first lemon |
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| Mom was nice enough to chase Claire around the beach while we finished eating |
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| Dog walk to a nearby park. The kids helped walk the dogs. |
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| Claire getting into the toy cabinet, literally! |
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| Mom and Dad made a ton of super delicious fancy meals so that we wouldn't have to have the hassle of taking the kids out to restaurants to eat every night |
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| Happy girl LOVED being outside every moment she could. It has been a long winter! |
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| Beach day at nearby Coquina Beach. Mom and Dad brought a ton of sand toys for the kids to play with. |
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| One more swim in the old house's pool before we moved over into the new house. |
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| Dinner on the deck of the new house |
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| On Wed the guys went on a fishing trip and the ladies headed back to the beach |
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| No men to haul our 150 lbs of beach gear? No prob! |
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| Just perfect |
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| Dinner at the Lazy Lobster with the original Mackus 4 while the guys watched the kids. |
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| Ice cream outing in nearby Brandenton |
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| Hike and visit to De Soto national park |
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| Peek a boo! Cut out Indians along the trail. |
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| Getting cheeky! |
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| Junior ranger |
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| Jump! |
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| My favorite lunch of the trip was here at The Waterfront on Anna Maria Island. Everything was just PERFECT! |
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| Claire agreed. |
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| Can you even take this gorgeousness? |
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| Walking out to the end of the pier. |
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| Pool at the new house was super fun, too |
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| Mom and Dad watched the kids while the four of us "kids" went to a fancy dinner out. Pretty water views. |
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| Alaskan King Crab- yummers to the max! |
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| Grandma helping get a splinter out of Luke's foot before we left on Friday. Handy to have a nurse around! |
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| Claire is at a super-not ideal age for flying. She was quite a handful on the trip to and from. She will not be contained and refused to nap. |
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| Stinkers!! But she's a cute stinkers. |
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