This is my long overdue post of our trip to visit my Great-Grandparents in Florida
Before our flight, we tried P.F. Chang's for the first time!
In Air. This was the first time for any of us to fly together!
In Florida! Grandpa and Grandma took us to Emerson Point.
Palm tree trunk
The Spanish Moss was so neat!
This was a very unique tree
It was so pretty walking along the trails
Taking a break
There was lots of little lizards around
Grandma
The Manatee river
Taking in the view
The fin of a porpoise
2 porpoises
Feeling the water
"It's warm!"
Atop a tree trunk
Grandma
Grandpa
After sight-seeing, we had some root beer floats back at Grandpa's and Grandma's
One of their neighbors was growing a beautiful pineapple
Neighbors stopped by for a visit (a very common occurrence around there...I loved it! :D)
We went for an evening stroll
...and visited the pond
All the black birds perch on the top of the bush, and all the white ones on the bottom
Enjoying the evening
Visiting good friends
Beautiful
Mumzie, Grandpa, Grandma and I with one of their friends
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge
A view from the other side
A pelican getting ready to dive for his lunch
There he went!
Thought this was a humorous sight
LOL! Yet another humorous picture!
More pictures of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Grandpa with his sister, my Great-Great Aunt M.!
One evening Grandpa and I walked along the beach to watch the sunset
We weren't sure how much of a sunset there would be since it was cloudy
It was fun seeing people's sand artwork
As we walked, Grandpa shared stories and talked about the amazement of God's creation
The tide
I love watching waves
We saw several couples walking the beach together...so sweet!
The sun began to set beautifully
My last picture before the sun disappeared. There is, I believe, nothing quite like watching the sun set at a beach. Doing it with my Great-Grandpa was a sweet memory that made it all the more special.
Yet another thing I found humorous....a tree sitting right in the middle of the parking lot :)
Mumzie sharing her exciting story from the previous day
All those trunks are actually one tree!
Again....all part of the same tree
These roots hang down from the limbs, and then attach themselves to the ground, forming another trunk of the tree.
A view from the "side"
Grandma and Grandpa
We had planned to go swimming that particular day, but with an obvious storm brewing, we decided it would be best to forgo that idea :)
At first glance, Mumzie looks cool and collected...but if you look closer you can see the concern on her face (because of the weather) :D
It was still beautiful, though!
We went ahead and walked a little in the water since we couldn't swim
The "Unconditional Surrender" statue
At the flea market, Grandpa hunts for the perfect watermelon
He picked one from this stack
There are peacocks that hang around the flea market and sleep in the trees
Grandpa putting together a little surprise for his friend...a broken car found on the beach :)
Fresh coconut!
Friends love stopping by for Grandpa's coffee breaks!
Taking a look at the neighbor's pineapple
Enjoying a delicious seafood dinner
We liked their napkins (paper towels) hanging from the ceiling
Visiting Great-Great Aunt M. and Uncle D.
....and visiting Mr. M.
It was so good to meet/see again Grandpa's and Grandma's friends
Mrs. S., a long-time family friend
We waited until Daddy was around to cut the watermelon!
This was a group effort :)
Next day, Grandpa and Daddy drilled the coconut open
Pouring out the (yucky) coconut milk
Sawing open the coconut
Friends coming over again for the morning coffee break
Paper towels, a phone call, and chap stick application....a chaotic bunch we are! :)
Cutting out the coconut. It was so good!
More friends popping over
They have very dynamic conversations :) We were laughing the whole time!
Grandpa is usually the chairman of the coffee breaks, and people are required to raise their hand if they wish to speak (which ends up happening only about half the time :D), and often times motions are made about very important issues (such as where to eat for lunch). It is quite the experience....all done in fun and everyone has a good time!
Daddy learning a new trick
Taco bell is one of Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite places for lunch. We had one last stop there before leaving.
One last picture before leaving (it was bright out!)
"Good-bye!"
Home safe and sound!
I am so thankful for the opportunity to visit Grandpa and Grandma! Can't wait to do it again.
~S~
The Morton Maiden
