Please see the link below for pictures from our annual trip to Florida. The girls and I had a great time visiting Grandma Dee and Grandpa Don on Anna Maria Island. We realized this trip that this was Megan's SIXTH time to the island (or seventh if you count the time she traveled with me in my belly) - the gal is pretty worldly for a kindergartner! On that note, this was the first time that we had to worry about traveling around her school schedule (well, as "worried" as you can be about falling behind academically in kindergarten), but we chose to more or less contain the trip to her Spring Break, and thus found ourselves in Florida for Easter this year!
http://purdyfamilyest2005.shutterfly.com/pictures/632
Our first couple of days there were pretty chilly (well, by Florida standards. It was still snowing in Michigan at the time so we were fairly comfortable in our new surroundings). The cooler temps did not, however, stop my children from enjoying the beach...in their swimsuits...which were damp from swimming in the 66 degree water. (Has anybody reported me to Child Protective Services yet?) We did enjoy the beach on Day 1, but took a break on Day 2 and used the cooler temps as an excuse to do some non-beach activities - we played mini golf at this cute place on the island (we went for the first time last year and it really stuck with Megan - she asked us probably 100 times from the point of our arrival when we could go back), and then went to the local aquarium, where we enjoyed seeing the manatees, dolphins, sea turtles and a super adorable sea lion show.
By the weekend, however, we were enjoying PERFECT beach weather (this actually didn't happen too often in Florida this year, so we got pretty lucky). We spent Good Friday on the beach with our Florida cousins, Lauren and Logan, and had a wonderful visit. On Saturday the girls had not one, but two, Easter egg hunts. The first one was on the beach (do you know how awesome that is for Michigan kids?!?), and was followed by a great Easter party in Anna Maria, complete with parade, Easter egg roll and face-painting. The second one was in Grandma and Grandpa's neighborhood, and featured an Easter hat contest for both kids and adults. Megan won the kid's contest, but she sort of swung the votes, because her face was already painted like a rabbit from our festivities earlier in the morning, making her virtually unbeatable.
Going into the trip, I was somewhat concerned (read: vaguely thought about for two seconds) about the kids having a non-traditional Easter, but around the time they had collected their third basket of Easter goodies from random strangers, I realized they were going to be just fine. We even found time to color Easter eggs while we were there! And not only was the Easter bunny able to locate them at Grandma's house and fill baskets for them on Easter morning with all kinds of treats, but we also got to have an amazing Easter dinner at Lauren & Logan's house - and go swimming...OUTSIDE! (I repeat: do you know how awesome that is for Michigan kids?!?) It was a great holiday all-around!
We returned to beach life, and perfect weather, on Monday, as well as preparations for a SURPRISE first birthday party for Oliver. A special bonus of this trip was that we got to visit (albeit briefly) with Aunt Kimmy, Uncle Ryan and baby Oliver, who arrived the next day. Oliver turned 1 on April 18th, and since Grandma Dee and I were unable to make it to his completely, ridiculously adorable mustache-themed party in Virginia, we decided to throw him a surprise beach-themed party in Florida while we were all together. It was a ton of fun, and a big surprise for Mom & Dad. The girls had a great time helping me prepare, as well as playing with their tiny cousin. He is quite possibly the most adorable little dude on the face of the planet.
We returned to Daddy on Wednesday after 8 days in the sunshine state. It was an awesome time, and both kids are already asking about next year's trip. Of course, we owe a HUGE thank you to Grandma Dee and Grandpa Don for spoiling us with awesome beach accommodations and airport transportation - this trip means the world to us Purdy ladies and is one of the biggest highlights of our year. One day, we vow to drag Daddy along with us, too!
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