Clearwater Beach

We decided to take a trip to Clearwater Beach, FL.  It's along the Gulf Coast (all of our first time along that coast except for Scott) and we had a blast! 

You'll notice in all the pictures it looks overcast but that's just the way we like it.  During the 90 minute drive there it was pouring buckets, I mean you couldn't see 20 feet in front of you.  We were hoping that the rain would stop for a bit and it did while we were at the beach but it didn't stop for long.  The water was super warm, actually warmer in the water than outside of the water. 

It was so much fun playing on the beach, and since it was raining we were the only ones on the beach so we didn't need to keep a super close watch on the kids to make sure they weren't stealing others toys.  I didn't get a ton of pictures of Mikey because he is a total water baby.  He was in the ocean most of the 2 hours we were there.  Katie loved walking on the sand picking up sea shells.  We all had a really great time. 

I don't think I'll forget the time I was swimming in the Gulf while it was raining!  What a gorgeous beach with fine white sand.  Hope to go back soon.

Overcast Tampa on our way to the beach.

We love the beach.

Papa and Mikey.

Jumping waves is one of his favorites when we are at the ocean.

Family pic.

Katie testing out the water.

Spinning in circles.

Happily splashing.

I always have a good time with the bug.

So glad someone else is taking the photos so I can be in a few.

Pointing to the tractor smoothing the sand on the beach.

Naked baby alert.

 I have a habit of doing this when I'm at the beach.

My super fresh crab legs for lunch.

It was sunny when we left!

Time for lunch. Scott came here years ago for spring break.
 I think his experience was a little different this time around.



She loved walking carefree.



 

Ice Cream Vacation

I hardly ever have ice cream at home in the freezer....so I took whatever opportunity I could on vacation to have some.

Mikey and I eating some ice cream for lunch.

Delicious!

Yummy, Haagen Dazs.

Oh my you did not want to get near her when she had this.

Mikey wanted to "Share" his almost gone popsicle with Katie full popsicle. 

Dad overlooking the lake at Lake Sumpter Landing.


 

Splish Splash

We went to the pool every other day while we were at the Villages.  All the neighborhoods at the Villages have their own pool and recreation facilities.  Rather than creating posts on what we did each day I thought I'd group all the pictures I'd taken while we were at the pool in one post. So these pictures were taken over 3 days.  (Most days it was partly cloudy (how we like it) or very cloudy and we even spent one day swimming in the rain which was fun! During this time of year in Florida it's common for it to rain at some point each day.) Some days Grandma Bette and Great Grandma (GG) Ruth came along with us to join in the fun.

The kids loved the pool...we had noodles, and water guns and floaties and Papa and Daddy who make great sharks!  The kids loved playing "Motor Boat" too and splashing till their hearts were content! After the first day Mikey liked to jump off the edge of the pool and climb up and down the ladder lots of times.

(They have no problem with water splashing in their faces, water being dumped over their faces in the shower or bath tub.  Basically they are not afraid of water, which kept us all on high alert, especially when Katie liked to walk around the pool!)

P.S. - I took way too many pictures....just the way I like it.

Papa and Katie

Lots of splashing.

Daddy and his girl.

Bathing beauty.

The bug and I.

She's always on the go.

Everyone lounging around.

Grandma Bette and Katie.

He is looking so big.

Shooting his water gun with his forehead.

90 year old GG.

GG, Grandma Bette and Katie.

Cloudy today.

Love taking pics. of them in action. Mikey always happy when Daddy is close.

Riding back from the pool in the golf cart.

Passed out on the couch.  :)

Fun with Grandma and GG.

 Katie got to meet Grandma Bette and Great Grandma Ruth "GG" for the first time in FL. She was so sweet to them and gave them both lots of cuddles.  Grandma loved playing with both the kids with toys from when Scott and Todd were kids.


They love making music.

Our nightly walks. Mikey learned to go on the grass when a car was coming.

This little ham loved trying on hats she found.

Such a little birdie.  If you have food she wants some.  Here GG is feeding her some pumpkin pie.



Grandma and Katie.



GG's famous pumpkin pie.



Katie loves to color and scribble.

Mikey loved jumping from the coffee table onto the couches.  He's on vacation too!

GG and Miss Katie.