Orlando & Clearwater Beach

After our day in Savannah and Tybee Island, we went to Orlando for four days. We stayed at Orange Lake Resort (which is where we usually stay when we go to Orlando). The resort is very nice with lots to do on the property.

I kept trying to get a picture of the kids shooting out of this slide in River Island, but it just happens too fast!

We also spent a lot of time at this pool in the North Village. Even though the slide was smaller, the kids loved it because they could go down it backwards, sideways, whatever!

We love the pina coladas at Orange Lake. We had a bunch of them while we were there.

Karaoke was a big hit two different nights. Parker and Claire even convinced Brian to sing!

The view from our screened in porch. So pretty!

Another one!

We went to Downtown Disney one night and ate at Rainforest Café. It's always a fun experience even though the food is just average (and VERY EXPENSIVE).

We also went and toured the Grand Floridian hotel. It was really beautiful. We even got on the monorail and rode around through some other Disney properties. We even got to see the castle!

On a different day, we went to Typhoon Lagoon water park. We have been there once before, and it was even more fun this time. The weather was perfect, the lines were short, and everybody was finally tall enough to ride everything. So fun!

More karaoke!

At dinner one night...totally exhausted!

At the end of the week, we went to Clearwater Beach for a couple of days.

We stayed at Sheraton Sand Key Resort. It was our first visit to Clearwater Beach. We enjoyed exploring a new beach town. We liked it pretty well, but we were a little disappointed in the ocean water. I think we just had our expectations a little too high. It was pretty, but not much different from what we are used to seeing.

Brian really wanted some good seafood while we were there. We asked around and kept hearing about a place called Crabby Bill's. Even though we were skeptical, we decided to give it a try. You guys...sooooooo good.

I had coconut shrimp and Brian had a grouper sandwich and grilled shrimp. He also had she crab soup that was gone before I got a chance to take a picture. It was all so fresh and really delicious.

We told the kids this pirate ship was coming to pick them up.

We even tried the pina coladas in Clearwater. Pretty good, but not the same as Orange Lake.

The hotel had a meet and greet with the actor who played Sawyer from the movie Dolphin Tale.

The night before we left, we went downtown to the pier area. There was a gorgeous sunset!

The whole trip was so much fun. We made some great memories and really had fun just spending time together! We are very blessed!

We Love Savannah!

We started our Spring Break trip with a stop in Savannah, Georgia. I love to visit Savannah any chance I get. Several years ago, Brian and I took a short trip to explore Savannah and Charleston for a few days. We really loved both cities, but I have to say that Savannah was our favorite. Since that trip, we've taken the kids a few times (usually just on the way or home from Florida). 

This beautiful fountain at Forsyth Park is one of my favorite parts of Savannah. The trees surrounding it on all sides with the moss hanging ~ be still my heart. Absolutely beautiful!

Another part of the park that we enjoy is the big playground.

Notice every one of those kids up there and one random dad. They were all playing a massive game of tag. I loved watching a bunch of kids from all different places play together as if they'd known each other forever. They would gather on the top to choose who was "it" then take off in all directions. Fun!

We spent a little time walking through the squares and seeing the gorgeous homes.

We've never eaten at Paula Deen's restaurant, Lady & Sons. Often we end up walking or driving by there, but we end up eating somewhere else. To be honest, the reviews I've read just aren't that great. If I'm going to eat (and trust me I am), then I want it to be great!

On my first trip to Savannah, we found Vinnie Van Gogo's pizza in a little area we love called City Market. The kids loved their HUGE pieces of pizza!

While the kids ate their pizza, Brian and I enjoyed eating at a little place also located in City Market called Anna's. We've eaten at Anna's every time we've been in Savannah. The food is always so good! However, I will say the service is lacking. One of the reasons we love eating there so much is the outdoor patio that faces the City Market area. It's so nice to sit outside and enjoy the food. Just plan on it taking a little while to be greeted and served! 

Brian and I shared this delicious pasta and crab cakes.

Another part of Savannah that we enjoy exploring is the riverfront.

Savannah is super close to Tybee Island, so we like to head over there as well. The water was so cold, but I'll take the beach any way I can get it!

The Tybee Island Lighthouse

Visiting Savannah was such a fun way to start our vacation!

Easter Weekend

We had a great Easter weekend. On Thursday, my cousin Krista brought her kids to eat lunch with us at school since they are on on spring break. We only get to see them a few times a year, so it's always exciting when we do.

 These girls talk on face time several times a week. I wish they lived closer to each other like Krista and I did (next door)!

 Emma came over Thursday night to play for a long time. They had so much fun!

 Max loved Krista! He really doesn't know her very well, but he definitely liked her a lot.

 On Friday, we were out of school (yahoo!) so I shopped and ran errands. Then I went to my cousin Kayla's (Krista's sister)  baby shower.

 Saturday was a really pretty day. When we went to the grocery store, they had a few activities going on for kids. They each got to decorate a chocolate egg.

 We also saw the Easter bunny. As we were walking away, I heard Claire say, "That's not the real Easter bunny because everybody knows the Easter bunny wears a sweater".

 We went to Italian Village for dinner. Yum!

 Then we went to the park and played for a while.

 The Easter bunny did not disappoint (sweater or no sweater).

 Parker and Claire were very excited and of course ate candy for breakfast.

 They posed for the traditional Easter pictures that their mom forces upon them.

 Then we headed to church. We had such a wonderful church service! 

After church, we went to lunch at Grandma and Grandad's house.

 The afternoon was full of talking and playing.

We hope you had a very special Easter celebrating our risen Savior!

Weekend Update: Please Just Eat The Chicken

I promise I am going to post our Spring Break pictures soon, but I need to do a quick weekend update first. Over the last few days, we've been busy. I had a much needed hair appointment. Goodbye dark roots and fuzzy caterpillar eyebrows.

 Claire's artwork was chosen to be on display at a county art show. What a honor!

  On Saturday, Brian and Parker went to sell Boy Scout Expo tickets at Lowe's, so Megan came over to walk and ride bikes with Claire and me. The weather all weekend was warm and beautiful!

  At church on Sunday, the kids learned about Jesus washing the disciples' feet. They served each other and practiced humility by washing the dirt off of each other's hands.

 

The big news is that Mr. Max the Furry Murray got sick on Friday morning. After two days and not getting any better, we had to make a trip to the emergency vet. 

I sure do love this sweetie!

 

 

 

 After a lot of tests, and A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY, we took him home about midnight Saturday night with some medicine. They were able to rule out some pretty serious stuff, so we think he just has an infection of some kind. He still isn't eating very much at all, but overall he seems to be getting a little bit better. We are supposed to be giving him plain boiled chicken and white rice (yuck), and he isn't a fan. I've basically been following him around for three days saying, "Max, please just eat some chicken. Just one bite, Max? Hey, I have an idea, let's eat some yummy boiled chicken!" No. He just wasn't interested other than a few bites every once in a while. At some point, I'm pretty sure the neighbors heard me wailing, "For the love, please just EAT THE CHICKEN!" Ha! 

I'm so thankful that they didn't find anything serious. We are still praying for a full recovery! And for him to finally just once and for all PLEASE eat the chicken.

Because When It Rains, It Pours

Before I post all of our fun vacation pictures, please just let me whine a wee little bit. 

The day before we left, I had a personal day off work full of big plans. As I was pulling out of the garage, our garbage can jumped out between my van side window and our garage door track. The window was cracked, the garbage can crushed, and the garage door so bent that we couldn't put it down.

On the day before we left for vacation. Yep.

Thankfully, we were able to find somebody that could fix it on the same day. 

Total cost: $300+

After we arrived in Florida, we noticed a tire was a little flat. "No Problem," we said. "We can get a patch in it," we said. "Easy fix," we said.

Yeah, right. Nope. Couldn't be fixed. New tire needed.

Total cost: $200ish

The entire trip I had a toothache. (This isn't the first time I had a toothache on vacation. Someday I need to tell you my honeymoon story. Yes, I said honeymoon.)

Anyway, it got worse as the week went on. I went to the dentist on Monday to hear the inevitable. Then I had a root canal yesterday. Fun times.

Total cost: $532.00

Of course I will have to get a crown too on that tooth. Guess what the kind endodontist also told me! I need another root canal on a different tooth next month. 

Total cost for addition root canal and two crowns on top of the first one: $3 trillion

Also, I have something to look forward to now. Sheesh.

One more thing, we came home from our trip to find a broken water heater. 

Total cost: I don't even know because I quit counting at $3 trillion.

Thanks for letting me whine. Truth is, I am so thankful that these things are fixable (albeit expensive). None of them are life-threatening. And of course, no eternal significance. 

First world problems!

(I couldn't help but think about those who have no access to dental help. I can't imagine having that kind of pain and no relief ~ Or no home with a water heater to take hot showers or even have clean water at all ~ Or a car to drive with four tires ~ Or a garage to park it in.) 

I am so blessed and pray I never take it for granted.

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Quick Catch Up

 I'm sorry I haven't posted in a week. I've been otherwise occupied...

We had a wonderful Spring Break trip, and I will post lots of pictures soon.

However, it's not all roses and lollipops around here. There have been a few little ISSUES to come up with which we are dealing. To give you an idea, I'm heading in for a root canal this afternoon. I can't wait.

Be back soon! (Assuming I survive the digging and scraping in the canal of my root.)