Wilbers in Florida May 2008

We just got back from Florida last week and I think we all have post-vacation depression. We had such a great time. We drove and everyone seemed to think we were crazy for driving 14 hours with a 5-year-old and 2-year-old. Ed and I weren't concerned at all and the girls proved us right. They are such great travelers! On the way down we picked them up from daycare around six, got some dinner and drove until about 1:30. Then we left about 8:30 on Saturday and got to Indian Shores Beach (near Clearwater) around 4:30. The whole trip and we only stopped for gas and food.

We spent most of the time on the beach and it was so nice to have a week off to just relax as a family. Julie came up from Miami on Saturday and stayed until Tuesday. It was great to see her and the girls loved monopolizing all of Aunt Julie's time.

It was Abigail's first trip to the beach and she LOVED the sand and the ocean. When she first stepped onto the beach she loved the way the sand felt on her feet and we could barely get her to keep going toward the ocean. Next, she found the shells in the sand and plopped herself down to begin her collection. We eventually had to pick her up and carry her to the ocean so she could experience that as well. She loved the water. The first day Ed took her all the way out to where he could barely touch and she loved it. Of course, I had to insist he bring her back to the shore so she could at least wear her water wings just in case Ed got knocked over and dropped her. She loved going out past where the waves crash and just ride the waves. She is definitely our little daredevil.

Ashley loves the beach but isn't as wild about the ocean. She likes the water but didn't want to venture out as far as her little sister. Her favorite thing to do was to find neat shells and make sandcastles. She is getting so big I just can't stand it. She really had fun with Julie. The condo where we stayed had a pool and it took a little bit for her to remember how to swim but then she amazed us. She is usually a little timid with the water but she was swimming on her own going pretty far.

Julie left on Tuesday and we went to Orlando to visit Uncle Paul. We went out on his boat and had dinner with Art and his wife. It was nice to catch up a bit with our Florida relatives. On Wednesday morning we went to Disney World and Art let us in at the front gates. We are so lucky to have such a great relative who lets us in to Disney for free whenever we are in Florida!!
The girls had a great time. Since when do I have a child old enough to ride Space Mountain!! That was Ashley's favortie ride. Abigail loved seeing all the princesses. She loves Cinderella and Snow White and was in awe that she could see them in person. She got to meet and talk to Cinderella, Belle and Sleeping Beauty and the picture are priceless because she is completely amazed to be sitting next to them. Ashley got to see them all when we were in Disney World last year but Abigail was sleeping.

Wednesday night we went back to Indian Shores and spent the next several days on the beach and in the pool. Friday night was our last night and we went on a sunset dolphin cruise which was a lot of fun. I am going to post a seperate blog about Ashley's drowning puppy webkinz. It was quite the event!!!

On the way home the girls proved us right again. We left Indian Shores at 11:30 AM and planned to stop halfway home but they were doing so well we drove straight through and got home at 1:30 AM. Again we only stopped for gas, lunch and dinner. We are driving to South Dakota in July and were a little nervous but now I know we will all be OK. After all, who can afford airfare these days for a family of four!!