To Florida We Went...

Davis's dad, step-mom, and half sister live in Orlando. My grandmother lives in Northern Florida, in a very rural area on the Suwanee River. We hadn't seen these parts of our families in a while. It seemed time to make a trek to Florida. My parents also came down from Georgia to see us too.

Eden had her first flight ever to Orlando. It was a red-eye deal and I was super nervous. She did great! Mostly she slept and ate and when she was awake she was happy. Hooray! We had breakfast with Davis's family before we headed to my grandmother's for the weekend.

So very jungle-like compared to Utah!

rope swinging

here is hoping those alligators don't try to get us

There isn't much to do but spend time together. So that's exactly what we did. Except Davis and I went on a walking adventure along jungle-like paths I used to explore in my youth.

Eden and Grandma-great (and me)

Eden loves her grammie and griz!
They love her back.

Eden was able to meet my grandmother, whom she is named after. Marie Genevieve and Eden Genevieve, two peas in a pod. I am so thankful we made it down when we did. Grandma got sick shortly after we left and ended up in the hospital. She is doing better now but would have made visiting harder. I love seeing our family together. Every time we part ways it stings the heart. I am grateful for quick and frequent transport to the ones we love. Back in the olden days a move across the country could be a goodbye forever deal.

On Tuesday while we were traveling, I had my 29th birthday. We were able to see a best friend, and my "twin", and somewhat see the ocean. Two things that were important to me on this trip.

Florida loving

We met up with Alexis at St. Mark's nature preserve. There was the ocean (but no beach), a light house, birds, crabs, and some alligators. We had lunch at Sonic. I went into a diabetic coma from my birthday cake shake. Then we parted ways and went back to Orlando. There we celebrated with carrot cake, trick candles, and family time. It was a good birthday.

Cocoa beach adventures

OoooMmmmGggg. My heart!!

The next day we took a little side trip to Cocoa beach where there was actually a beach with the ocean. Eden seemed cool with it until a way caught us by surprised and she got splashed more than she wanted. We strolled up and down the beach until we felt she had enough sun. Eden got a lot of swimming time later that week at the neighborhood pool. She became more and more comfortable in the water and even splashed a little. Sadly, no pictures of that though.

Florida adventures in Orlando

We mostly hung around Davis's dad's house. We played with Lilly when she was not in school or gymnastics. We took Regan, the Basset Hound, for walks. Most of our time was spent relaxing in the humidity. We enjoyed some seafood as well. I am sad to report we forgot to take pictures together. I think Davis's dad has some but I need to get them from him.

Our trip back was an evening flight. Eden struggled a little more with this. She didn't cry, just some screaming, not too bad over all. But everyone seemed nice about thankfully.  I guess Orlando to SLC probably has lots of kids on the flight normally anyway.

I hear my little one stirring from her nap. Time to go!

Florida week

Davis and I recently returned from a glorious week of family, friends, beach, and seafood! It was such a lovely time with everyone and so relaxing to be by the ocean.

ahhhhhh

Growing up, my family frequented St. Augustine Florida more than  any other beach. My grandparent's had a RV and they went many times and we often would join them. My very first trip without my parents was with my grandparents and older bother to St. Augustine. Around the holidays last year, my family decided to rendezvous there this summer. It was a wonderful decision and we were so very happy to see the ocean after living in land-locked states for over three years now.

Our weekends in Florida were spent in Orlando, where Davis' dad lives. We feel so blessed by all of our family and the trip's timing was perfect. So many other dear friends and family were near by.

it appears we didn't all fit in this shot :)

 Davis' sister, Caroline, and her husband, Dustin, and their two kids, Julip and Eloise, were in Orlando that first morning. We ate a yummy breakfast together. We got quality time with Lilly, Davis' half sister as well as his dad and step-mom. We hardly ever get to see these people, it was so dear to have even just a few hours with them.

Julip and Uncle Davis

Bettina and Lilly

During the week, we were at the beach in St. Augustine with my family. It's always a good time when we get to see everyone. Being the odd-balls out west, we don't get nearly as much time with them as we'd like.  We spent most of the time alternating between the breezy sunshine and swimming in the water during the days.

reading in the sun

early morning beach

documentation of our ridiculous towels

boys did a little fishing...
daniel caught this hammer head shark

About two hours away near Live Oak Florida, live my grandparents who first took us to St. Augustine. I haven't seen them for almost three years. The last time I saw them was before my grandpa had his major stroke. It was right around his birthday so we spend a day celebrating with him. It was so good to see them. However, seeing how much he as changed since his stroke makes me so thankful for eternity when all will be made well.

happy birthday!

the grandkids, grandparents and vern (friend)

After celebrating, we went to St. Augustine. It is the oldest European settlement in America. Established in the 1500s by the Spanish, it has great history, seafood, and architecture.

Castillo de San Marco in St. Augustine

I've been to this fort many times but it is always a great adventure. It over looks the bay/intercoastal
 waterway and has protected St. Augustine all these years.

the moat can be filled by opening a hatch into the bay

daniel and ashley warding off pirates

davis inspecting the cannons

old stuff is usually prettier

St. Augustine at dusk

Spanish inspired architecture

In the evenings we often played games. Most of the time it was Bang! but there was a poker night as well. 

only the tough play, so i did not participate :)

Not only were family near by, we got to see several of our close friends for a few hours. Davis' best friend from high school, Phillip, and his wife, Leah, were in Jacksonville visiting family although they live in Texas. They came down for the  to spend half the day with us. They helped us cook our seafood feast that night. They were vital for dinner being served at a decent hour.  My twin from Ridge Haven and a great friend to both Davis and I, Alexis, was also coming to St. Augustine with her family. Our time over-lapped by a few hours on friday and we were able to catch up real quick. It was so quick I forgot to document it. There just wasn't enough time for everyone and everything. But we are thankful for the time we were given.

walk on beach after dinner with phillip and leah

As all enjoyable times, it went by way too fast. Davis and I often comment the only thing that would bring us back east is family. We love living in the west but so many people near and dear to our hearts live so far away.

family!

 We cherish every bit of time we get with our families. We love them and pray for them, as we look forward to the next visit. Thankfully this time it's only matter of weeks until Richard and Angel's wedding in Virginia.