Florida--Day 11

Monday was a really fun day! Chad had to fly out in the later afternoon, but we still got to play at the beach before he left. 

He and Mom took their traditional picture:

I think they have a picture like this for every time we've visited Florida (or another beach) since Chad was 15.

Jude played in the sand as usual. He must think sand is very tasty because he continues to try to eat it.

Little hands

Sandy toes. :)

The waves finally came back! The ocean had been glassy for the past few days. It was so much fun to be out in the crashing surf. Everyone took turns watching the boys, so I actually got to play, too! No pictures, seeing as I'm the photographer, but just know I was out there, too.

Jude was sticking out his tongue for the picture, so Lance and I thought it would be fun to stick out ours, too...

Jude didn't get the memo.

Precious baby.

He's actually smiling while in the water. He likes it until the water washes the sunscreen into his eyes... Yeah. I don't like it when that happens, either.

Chad was such a life-saver! He would take Lance out into the deeper water and to the sandbar to play. Lance ate it up.

Stephen, Bethany, Kailey, and Amy relaxing on the beach.

The family on the beach next to us had a net and caught a bunch of little fish. Lance spent a good deal of time playing with the other kids and trying to catch the fish and look at them. He thought it was great, although I doubt the fish could say the same thing.

After the beach, we swam some in the pool and then said good-bye to Chad. It's been so fun spending time with him here in Florida. I miss him already.

Later that afternoon, Aunt Linda took me, Amy, Christy, Kailey, and Bethany to meet an old friend of hers that was going to teach us how to surf! We were so excited!

We saw a gopher on our way there. He was moving pretty fast and eating the grass along side the parking lot next to the beach.

Yay for surfing!

(Me, Kailey, Amy, Christy, and Bethany)

Trying to manage the long board for a photo...

Finally... Amy and me

So, we each got to go out on the long board and I think everyone even stood up at least once! I only stood up for a split second, but it was fun to try and surf again.

Amy did a great job, too! Unfortunately my camera died before she stood up, so I missed the shot.

After surfing, we all went to WalMart to get some supplies for Disney the next day! 

Florida--Day 10

Morning sunbeams

Lance and Jason blowing bubbles Sunday morning before Church

Sunday started out like any other Sunday--got up, got dressed, tried to get to Church on time but ultimately pulled up a few minutes late. The services were nice and afterwards we all went back to the condo. My cousin Maria was getting married at 4 p.m., so the rest of the family left for that and George packed so we could take him to the airport. 

George had disappeared and I finally found him with Jude taking a nap. I love that Jude sleeps with is little bottom in the air.

After a quick nap for George and Jude, the boys and I loaded up and we were on our way, sad to be taking Daddy back so quickly.

We were about 10 minutes up I-95 when the scariest thing happened. It's a two-lane highway and I had started drifting toward the line that separates the two lanes (I was in the left lane and just wasn't paying attention). I notice fairly quickly and look in my mirror as I try to correct. There is a pick-up truck sitting on my tail so I go to change lanes, but we end up trying to change lanes at the same time. I go back to the left lane, thinking he'll continue to change lanes into the right lane and simply go around me. He does not and instead I see him come in extremely close to my rear bumper, being very aggressive. I'm really scared at this point and gun it, changing lanes and trying to put some distance and a few cars between me and this angry person. There is traffic and even though I'm changing lanes and trying to move, the truck and I stay close. It had just started raining a few minutes before and the road is starting to glisten. Finally, a semi in the left lane changes to the right and the cars in that lane pick up the pace. I figure this is my chance and change to the left lane and start making my way past the semi, with the pick-up still in the right lane. I'm about to pass the semi when all of the sudden I see the pick-up zoom so fast past us on the right that we cannot even see who is driving and swerves in front of us, missing our car by literal inches. We are going 70 miles per hour, he has to be going at least 80. I don't even have time to hit the brakes when I watch this truck that is directly in front of us lose control, veer off the shoulder and smash into the trees in the median. He was going so fast that he actually hit the trees before we passed. As soon as I come out of the stupor I'm in, I look in the mirror and all I can see is half the bed of the truck sticking out of the trees, the truck on it's side. People were already pulling over. We are too far ahead to stop, and I didn't want to pull over on the side of a busy interstate with the boys in the car, so we continue on our way to the airport. I spend the next 20 minutes of the drive crying off and on, thanking Heavenly Father that we were protected, and being simultaneously angry at the driver for endangering our lives and concerned for him and whoever else may have been in the truck with him. 

The rest of the drive in uneventful, unless you count the crazy rain that made it difficult to see. George gets to the airport safely and the boys and I make the 80 minute drive back to the condo. The whole time I'm scared and still a little in shock. I can't help thinking about the truck and how close I came to losing everything that is important to me. If that truck had nicked our front bumper when it pulled out in front of us, we would have followed him into the trees. At that speed, I really don't have much hope that we would have survived. When we came back to the condo, Lance and I knelt down and said a prayer of gratitude for our safety. I truly feel like we were protected as we traveled. 

This is the sky as the rain clouds gave way to clear sky after we came home. I took a picture because it was a perfect representation of how my heart felt. Being with my family, realizing we were safe, that George made it to his parent's house safely. It was as if the fear and horror at our close call was slowly being washed away with the rain clouds, leave in it's wake a stronger testimony and a greater appreciation for my family.

Anyway, long story. Our family got back from the wedding shortly after we did and we had a good time playing games and being together. George got home to Virginia safely after a brief delay in Orlando because of the lightning. 

Mom, Glenn, Chad, Jason, Kailey, and I all went for a walk on the beach after it stopped raining. It was very dark because of the clouds, but there was a breeze and the rain had cooled everything off. It was a lot of fun! Chad was giving Jason and Kailey dating advice while I talked to George on the phone for a bit and then joined the conversation. I really love being with my family!

Florida--Day 9

Saturday was our one and only full day with George. We tried to make the most of it. After a late breakfast with Aunt Nellie, Wayne, Renee, and Ramona, the boys and I headed to the beach with the rest of my family. George had a great time playing with Jude and Lance in the water.

Jude is still a little suspicious of the water, but we coaxed a few smiles from him.

George had salt water in his eyes.

Our family

George is trying to convince Jude the beach is a fun place. I think it worked. Jude actually smiled and laughed in the water on Friday (the day before) when I took him out there for a few minutes.

One of the smiles I was talking about.

My boys. 

Lance loves this shovel that Amy bought and used it to dig all kinds of holes "looking for crabs".

Lance has become an amazing swimmer and practiced his skills in the waves (or lack there-of). 

He saw the adults body surfing and wanted to try his hand at it. It was really cute watching him try and catch the waves. This child is fearless!

Laura!

Amy built this neat sand castle and most of us helped make the little turrets. 

Stephen, Amy, and Kailey working on the sand castle.

Lance is such a ham!

Jude liked the sand best and enjoyed resting in the shade of the umbrellas.

Lance was getting good at catching the waves on his boogie board. He didn't want any help (probably because the few times I've helped him, most of those times he was dumped off into the wave).

George pulling Lance through the water (at Lance's request).

Mom and Glenn

I love this picture because you can see how clear the water is. It looks like Lance is catching some air, but he's really just sitting on very clear water.

Lance helping with the sand castle.

On the beach where we are, when the tide goes out it creates these great tide pools, perfect for kids... or all the adults. 

Lance found a tiny crab's claw and wanted to show me. I love the look on his face.

My mom and all her kids. 

After the beach, we rinsed off and went to the pool. Lance and Jude both love the pool, especially because it's warm enough to be bathwater. Yum.

Jude and George

Lance is behind them hanging on.

Precious baby. He's a fish and can't get enough of the water.

My boys.

The glory of having a nice older brother around to take pictures. I actually get to be in them!

Lance was swimming out to me from the stairs and side. He's getting really good at swimming on the bottom of the pool. He can even do two somersaults in a row!

Chicken fight!

Uncle Chad throwing Lance.

That night we tie-dyed shirts for those of us going to Disney and everyone else played games. I was wasted from playing all day in the sun and fell asleep fairly early.

Tie-dye fun!

I'm trying to figure out how to roll/bunch/wrap the shirt to get the design I wanted. Not the easiest thing.

Playing "Fast Scrabble", a family favorite. I think Evan dominated, although when I played I gave him a run for his money.

Chad and Heidi trimming Laura's hair.