Tampa

The last six months have been probably the busiest six months ever for our family.  In an effort to get funding for his lab, Brian squished about a year's worth of work into six months.  Add in church responsibilities, holidays, lots of travel for work -  there just wasn't enough hours in the day.  He probably averaged 5 hours of sleep a night.  He is one hard worker, that's for sure!  But, no rest for the weary catches up to you....and it had caught up to all of us.

His last conference of what I call his busy season (Oct-Mar) was in Orlando and so we decided to pull the kids out of school for the week and tag along and get some much needed family time.  Before going to Orlando, we headed to Tampa to visit Brian's family.  

Here is Brian sleeping under a blanket on the drive down.  I'm surprised he could breathe under there.  We made the entire drive in one day.  It meant leaving at 5 am and arriving at 8:30 pm, but we did it!  I75 was closed in both directions due to a rock slide so we had to take the scenic detour over a mountain pass in Tennessee that Grant vomited on.  Fun times!  At least we know to travel with baggies and no messes were made this time.
We love, love, love Mimi and Papa's clubhouse pool.  It feels like a relaxing resort.  It was actually a bit chilly, but it didn't stop the kids.  I found my way to the hot tub.

Florida sun just feels different.  I could feel myself thawing out!
We love hanging out in their back yard lanai.  I've never seen these anywhere but Florida.  
This is the pond behind their house that Brian is always afraid has alligators in it.
We went out to this fun place called Ford's garage.  Great burgers and super fun atmosphere, especially for Grant who loves cars.  The bathrooms were super fun.  The sink was a tire with a basin on it and the water comes out of a gas pump nozzle.  

The next day we went to a local orange grove and picked our own honeybell oranges and nectarines.  It doesn't get any more Florida than this.  I loved it!  Poor Mimi stepping on a red ant hill and got attacked.  That part wasn't fun!





After lunch we headed over to St. Petersburg - the best beaches around.  Again, the water was super chilly, but it didn't stop the kids and Brian.  It was still a beautiful day full of sun and happiness.  




Any day in St. Pete is not complete without a stop at Twistee Treat.  Super yummy homemade ice cream.  We found one in Orlando too - but do not be fooled - it isn't as good as the one in St. Pete!

Grant was super proud that he built this epic car/train track all by himself.  Haley kept herself busy with Mimi's amazing bin of polly pockets.  
Although it was only 2 quick days, they were jammed full of fun new memories.  It was a great visit!

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