Thursday. long walk on beach, Chihuly Glass Collection on Beach Dr. in downtown St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay Rays BB game.

Our path to the beach.

Indoor ball park. 

Feeding the stingrays at the game. 

Chihuly Glass Collection.

Wed. Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Honeymoon Island , ferry boat to Caladesi Island and VIP mexican restaurant for dinner.

   This morning the dead fish were still here and the seagulls were eating all their eyes out. We started talking to other visitors on the beach and found out it was a Red Tide. This is due to a bloom of the Florida Red Tide organism, Karenia brevis and causes respiratory problems to humans and kills fish, birds & marine mammals by shutting down their nervous system. Once we did research and found out it wasn't going to kill us since we didn't have asthma or chronic lung conditions, we relaxed a bit. Sometimes it lasts weeks or months but luckily for us we were on the end of it and by tonight all the dead fish were gone and the beach cleaned up.
   We headed to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium where we met Winter & Rufus from the movie Dolphin Tale. I kept looking for Dr. Clay (Harry Connick Jr) from the movie, but he was no where around. Then to Honeymoon Island where we took one of the last ferry's of the day to Caladesi Island State Park. We had the whole place to ourselves besides the park ranger and one other couple and enjoyed seeing it and walking the beach before taking the last ferry of the day back.
   For dinner we went to the VIP Mexican restaurant. Wet burritos & margaritas were great.

Beautiful state park. 

This guy found a fish dinner.

Tom got this picture without Marsha & Gary knowing. This year is their 50th anniversary and I'm thinking a canvas may be nice .

On the ferry at the aquarium going to the 2nd location. 

Tues~

   We flew out at 10:45 from SLC to MCO. We asked for seats together and Delta upgraded us to the extra leg room seats at no extra charge. We arrived just as the sun was setting in Tampa. I had originally booked at Madeira Bch and the Resort Rental Co called 10 days before we left and said they were renovating and we didn't even have a balcony so suggested we choose another condo or get our money back. Marsha & Gary had just committed and got airline tickets the day before the call. I told Tom I'm not telling Marsha we don't have a plan until we have a new plan. ha We didn't have much choice left but decided on Lands End. I told myself I would not stress about a vacation as I feel so lucky to get to go. The good thing is if you book 10 days or less before arriving you get a 10% discount so that saved us almost $200.  And we were so happy with Lands End. Our condo was perfect. A gated community on the end of Treasure Island with covered parking and an elevator to our 3rd floor "Holiday House" for the week. Two bedroom, two bathroom, newly remodeled kitchen and balcony facing the gulf of Mexico.
   Tom and I decided to take a flash light and walk on the beach the first night and there were lots of dead fish and our throats were itchy. At that point I was ready to go find another place to stay and thought "what have I got us into?"  And how far is it to drive to Amelia Island, FL?

Helping Mimi pack and trying out my new computer to take on vacation.

   It is amazing we are really packing to go on this trip. We had frequent flier miles so I started planning a vacation, Originally were were going to Amelia Island, FL, Savannah, GA and Hilton Head. We were changing resorts every 2 days and driving lots.
   On March 15th I got a call at work from the Hwy Patrol in OR and our driver Milton had been killed in a truck accident. I had worked with Milton for 20 yrs. This is the 2nd driver to be killed in 9 months at Savannah. Besides the sad, personal part of it we had the financial, insurance denial or huge increases and talk of if we could even stay open. Lots to think about. Should I cancel vacation and save our money? Or go for it and enjoy life?  Our final decision was to go while we can. But the whole changing resorts and driving didn't seem very relaxing anymore. In the end I booked a resort for a whole week on the gulf side. Walking the beach and looking for seashells was what I needed.

Chels, Shelby and I went to Boo's football game on Sat, then La Frontera for lunch. It was Shelbys first time at La Fra and she loved it. But I think Chels was most excited to be there.

Then Sun afternoon Shelby came and hung out with me and papa and we played outside and went on a golf cart ride to 32 lakeview to check it out. 

DANDELIONS

Shelby and her new friend Maddison that moved in 32 Lakeview.

Less than one week away.

mimi day

Big Papa & Peggy spent the night and we got a 4 generation picture. 

Shelby was excited to go back outside and play when she came over. Then we took a golf cart ride to get dinner. 

By the time Chels & Boo got home from football practice she was so tired she grabbed onto her Bobo and ready to go home. Chels said they were both asleep as soon as they got home. 

a week end full of fun with Boo & Shelby.

Between the bridge and the golf cart and throwing rocks in the water; Shelby thought she was at Disneyland. She went up and down this bridge a zillion times. First she walked, then crawled, then went on all fours, then ran. It was hilarious to watch.

Papa's new golf cart and vinyl. 

Boo always asks me how many states he's been in. So today I told him we'd make a list. And I was happy he has a bucket list also. That means he has some of our DNA Gypsy blood and hopefully won't stay in Tooele his whole life. 

The Frogs are out and little slow moving. 

Shelby also go to go the playground after Boo's football game. It's a whole new big world out there for her and she's loving it. 

Grandma Celeste came to the game and brought snacks. 

Mimi Day. Boo walked over and took a long nap and stayed and watched the jazz game with us. shelby and chels stopped in to say hi. shelby has strep throat and you can tell she doesnt feel up to par. that is until she saw BO BO (her name for Boo), Papa (she always whispers his name) and the kitties.

Tabby Mountain ~ Easter Dinner

We woke up to 4" of snow Sat morning so didn't know if we would make it to Tabby Mtn but we called and they had sunshine. It was a beautiful drive and good day. We took a spiral ham, scalloped potatoes, asparagus and strawberry shortcake. And we played 5 Crowns Card game for a couple hours. Sun was pretty quiet until Shelby stopped by and entertained us. She knew she was the center of attention and danced & turned in circles and fell down on the floor laughing. Then kisses for everyone over and over. What would we do without babies?

spring break sleepover.

Easter Egg Hunt and Boo's 1st flag foot ball game of the year. Spring is Here.