Happy 65th Dad!

Last weekend we all went down to Clearwater, FL to celebrate dad's 65 birthday. Mom, Dad, Becky, and Ari had made a week of it, driving from Virginia with a 3 day stop in Orlando, but we had to make it quick - arriving on Friday and heading out on Sunday. It was worth it though. The weather was beautiful and we got some good pool and beach time in.

While we were there we saw 3 beach weddings. The girls were spying on one here. We all had our own opinions about which bride's dress was best. 

The girls with the birthday boy

Cousins! Mom and Becky took the three kids to the aquarium (while Dave and I enjoyed some solo pool time). 

The bathing beauties, Lauren and Ari

The sunset on Saturday night was beautiful, so we took advantage and tried to get some good shots. 

The whole fam! 

Becky and me

On Sunday morning the girls wanted to go and look for shells. There were a ton of really small ones all along the water line. 

Cousins & besties

Triple threat

Florida

Dave had his annual sales meeting in Florida again, this time in Clearwater, so we made a mini-vacation of it and the whole family went down for 5 days. The weather was beautiful! We had 2 days with the whole family, and then 2 days with just me and the girls while Dave was in his meetings. We hit the pool early and stayed the entire day - it was lovely.

Carl, who works with Dave, brought his wife, Amanda, and their kids, Gianna and Ella. Sophie and Gianna get along famously, which was really nice.

Sophie, Gianna, Ella & Lauren in an chair perfect for 4 friends

We took a boat trip to a little island where the girls found shells (you can see Sophie and Gianna's skirts are full of them). We also saw dolphins on our way back, and a bunch of cool birds. 

The best shot I was able to get of the girls. Beautiful morning walk on the beach before hitting the pool. 

Weekend Getaway in Florida

In November Dave had his annual sales meeting in Marco Island, Florida, so we decided to make a little family vacation of it and went down a few days early. We stayed in a beautiful resort and for most of the trip the weather was lovely - in the 80s (while Philly was having their first cold snap).

The happy sisters

We took a nature hike through a national park. We were on the lookout for alligators, but unfortunately never saw one. Lots of birds and other little critters though.

If only we could walk on the beach in November every year! 

Turns out one of my good friends who moved to Florida a few years ago lived just 30 minutes from where we were staying. We were able to get together and I met her son, Myles, for the first time. Here are Lauren and Myles after a marathon day in the pool.