Florida trip - Day 5 - Jenna’s 9th Birthday!

Today was all about Jenna! She turned 9 today! She woke up to a decorated table and presents. She got some craft items, Walmart gift card, gel pens and a teeny tiny Connect 4 pen game. We went for a morning beach walk/photo shoot, a swim, a trip for Dairy Queen, a special red velvet cake where Jenna ate everything but the icing. Today was all about the birds too.... tons of diving pelicans and other cool birds... oh yes we finally got to see an alligator as well. It was only a few feet long, but still! Tonight we took our nightly beach walk. My girls are becoming quite the shellers. It was a great day.

Florida trip - Day 4 - Easter Sunday

Lots of pictures today. The morning started with Amelia and I searching for shells at low tide. We went for coffee and found the Sanibel Farmers market.  Very cool to see everything from smoked fish, to colorful tropical flowers, crepes, freshly made guacamole! It was our first time! The girls dyed Easter Eggs next. We had lots more time on the beach tonight. There was a small rain storm towards Ft. Myers which made for beautiful blues and purples at dusk this evening. Jenna found her second sand dollar in two days. She’s the only one to find them so far. Tonight was Ava’s turn for beach photos.  Wonder who I’ll focus on tomorrow!? Happy Easter.

Florida trip - Day 3

We started the day leaving our hotel in Lutz we drove west to Taroon Springs and found this park. 

It was super windy. We explored a bit.

Rocks, climbing and exploring. 

We finally made it to Sanibel. Here’s Jenna familiarizing herself with the place. She had thought this was Tennessee at first glance. Here Uncle Jon and Jenna are talking each other’s ears off.

We took a quick walk to the Lighthouse beach.

A little pool time for the girls. 

The sunset off our back deck tonight.

Girlsie sunset photo. 

Florida trip - Day 2

We are rest stop experts. Get in. Get out... somewhere in Central Florida.

Almost to 3 Sisters Springs... had to stop at this shell shop.

Sea sponges at the shell shop.

Homossossa Springs and pretty water and rain and only 15 minutes to find manatees.  Seems the manatees in 3 Sisters Springs left for the spring. We were told we may find a few here.

A manatee!!!!

More!!!

Go us. Now to find the exit before we have to spend the night here. It’s raining pretty good here too.  Off to Lutz, FL for the night.