Not everyone was happy with the trip.

We all had a wonderful vacation to Florida...well not ALL of us. We did have to leave one family member behind.

Sweets

Unfortunately, our condo did not allow pets, so we weren't able to bring Sweets with us. This posed a problem because I was totally against boarding her with the vet. NOT that there's anything wrong with doing that! It's just that I was scared that Sweets would think we had abandoned her since she spent her first year of life in a shelter (where they took fabulous care of her).  I know, I'm turning into the crazy cat lady, but I just didn't want to disrupt her life if we didn't have to.

Fortunately, my fabulous niece Laura agreed to come daily to feed, clean, and play with her.  You can tell she hated every single second of it:

We worried about how she would react to us when we got back.  She loved on the kids like they had never left:

She would let me pet her, but wouldn't dare let me hold or snuggle with her.  But, Marty...poor Marty, she wouldn't let him come within 5 feet of her! She was MAD at him! Normally at night, she hops in the bed, right between us and snuggles right up to Marty. Not Friday night!  She did get in our bed, but stayed around our feet most of the night. Thankfully, by early Sunday morning, she decided she had forgiven Marty and snuggled right up to him, just like nothing had ever happened. She even let me have a little snuggle time with her today!

We all missed her so much that we've decided that she will have to just go with us the next time! That my friends, I'm sure will be very interesting!

Let's hope it's not another 4 years!

Last week, we went on a much anticipated vacation to the beach. It was the first time we've all been somewhere as a family in 4 years. We definitely didn't plan on it being 4 years between vacations, but sometimes life and bills get in the way.

This year Chelsea was turning 21 and had initially asked for a party, but then decided she would rather have a vacation instead. We told her she could go anywhere she wanted to, and she chose "the beach!", so that is where we went!

(We also thought it was so awesome that Marty and I spent my 21st birthday in Florida just like Chelsea.)

We are so fortunate that the weather was fantastic...once we got there. I swear, the forecasted "scattered showers" followed us for the majority of the 260+ miles we drove! Once we got there however, the weather was perfect!

Now on to tons of pictures!

View from the 18th floor.

My precious Chelsea the morning of her birthday!

 

 

Giant Lite Brite at Wonderworks.

Jameson as an astronaut in Wonderworks

The last morning we were there, 5 stingrays were swimming near the shore!

LOVE this picture!

 

LOVE these two more than anything!

Love that smile!

I love this man!

My favorite picture from the whole trip! I love these people with all my heart!

Before we knew it, it was time to pack up and head home. We had a wonderful time full of family and fun! We've already started making plans for next year's vacation (hopefully).  But, as much as we loved the beach, we were SO glad to get back home!  We just hope it's not another 4 years before we get to do it all again!