Homeward Bound

This past week has been so good for my soul.

I am reminded how lucky I am to have married into such an amazing family full of people that I love and that love me. Our kids had a blast catching up with cousins. Isn't it amazing how cousins can just pick up right where they left off? I love that! It with a sad heart that I pack up our suitcases and give our good-bye hugs. We have loved our week of Thanks Giving and our thankful for all we have been given.

Congo golf

We were lucky enough to be with Garrett on his birthday. The kids had fun celebrating with some mini-golfing and Chuck E. Cheese's.

Since Cannon fell asleep before everyone went golfing, I stayed back with Kim. It was nice to slow down and just talk freely and openly with one of the most inspiring people in my life. I love Kim and I am so blessed to have her in my life. I will miss her so much when we leave in the morning. She teaches me so much and I can learn how to be a more Christ-like person from her example.

The girls were able to sneak away for an hour to go shopping- oh how I love the Florida shopping!!!!! Look at these stores, begging me to come look!

This is the store that begs for Ella to come in EVERY time!

Once the girls had their fun, the guys were able to go have some fun too- watching the Florida Gators basketball game!

My Shannie

Since we are flying out of Orlando on Tuesday, we drove back down to Orlando to spend the last couple days there. We were lucky enough to be able to meet up with some of our dearest friends from dental school. My Shannie is one of those people that accepts you for who you are. She is one of the most genuine people I've had the pleasure of calling a friend. She has been there through my trials and triumphs and I love her dearly. We have so many silly jokes from Spongebob to George Lopez to Ellen Degeneres. It did my heart good to be in her home, see her family growing and thriving, and hearing about what she's been doing since I saw her last.

MEOW

Ponte Vedra Beach

Searching for shark teeth on a hot sunny beach in Florida during Thanksgiving weekend? That sounds like a dream to good to be true!

Laura has a co-worker that finds shark teeth and went with us to help the kids find their own shark teeth. It was a beautiful beach with tons of shells to collect. Cannon must've felt like he was listening to a "relaxing" CD because he fell asleep as soon as he could hear the waves and slept in his stroller the whole time. Even though he was in the shade, his sensitive little skin was still able to get a little sun kiss. I wasn't planning on getting in the water or playing in the sand but I rolled up my shorts and splashed in the warm ocean and then built sand castles with Ella and dug a hole to bury Ethan in.

When we started getting hungry we went back to Amy's pool and ordered pizzas. The kids braved the cold water of the pool while we ate pizza and finished off the Thanksgiving pies.

Jacksonville Zoo

The Jacksonville Zoo has always been a favorite!!! Cannon has been such a trooper on this trip and I am so thankful that we have been able to go do all the things that everyone else was doing.