Monday, December 1, 2008

Thanksgiving in the Sunshine State

Wednesday afternoon my dad took Garth and I to the airport. Surprisingly, it was not crowded at all! We got right through security and had over an hour to kill before our flight. So we went to a restaurant for a drink.
Our plane was on time and we were off to Florida!!!

We were a half hour early, SCORE! We picked up our rental car and were off to my grandparents. It was an amazing reunion! We haven't seen them in over a year so it was fabulous to be reunited.
My grandma had dinner ready when we arrived and we ate and talked until past midnight. We woke up early Thanksgiving morning to watch the parade and enjoyed Grandma's pancakes and bacon breakfast.
Afer the parade Garth and I went for a long walk and enjoyed the sunny, 70 degree weather! Then we hopped in the golf cart for a grand tour of the retirement community. It's no ordinary retirement community though. It's full of beautiful homes, golf courses, lakes, pools, and beautiful downtowns in various themese - Spanish and nautical. There are so many restuarants I couldn't possibly name them all! And transportation is this community is by golf cart! Love it! Garth and I have decided this is where we will retire. It's full of things to do and people in your life stage.
At 3:00 the neighbors arrived and we had our Thanksgiving feast. I did not get a picture of all the yummy food, but here is a shot of us with the grandparents after dinner:

After our feast we learned a new card game (Hand and Foot) and instantly became addicted and played every. single. night. Ha!
Friday we headed to Daytona Beach. When you're only an hour away from the ocean you need to see it. It's good for the soul.

After a great time enjoying the view, walking in the sand, and picking out shells we headed home to my favorite restaurant, Pasta Faire.

Next, Garth and I headed downtown for a concert and dancing in the square.

We also enjoyed checking out fancy golf carts like this one:
And we found Santa!
Here is our lovely little rental PT:
My handsome hubby and I on our way home for more card games:
Saturday my grandparents took us to Sumpter Landing (the nautical downtown). Soooo pretty.

Pretty bird:Garth was afraid we were going to run into a gator, so it was this ongoing joke the whole trip. When we spotted this gator statue we couldn't resist getting our pictures with it:

My family has been going to visit my grandparents since they moved down19 years ago. A long time tradition has been to take a picture at the street sign where my grandparents live (it's my name! Cool, no?) So, Garth and I continued the tradition!

We headed to the pool for the rest of the day and enjoyed the warm sunshine and the nice water. Bliss!

Sunday we woke up way too early to catch our flight back. This was quite possibly the worst flight EVER. First, Garth and I weren't sitting remotely close to each other. Second, a large man sat next to me and took up his seat and most of mine. Third, a large man in front of me put his seat back giving me less room. Fourth, I was in the isle and people kept hitting me as they walked past to use the restroom. Fifth, the flight was so bumpy and we kept dropping suddenly causing my stomach to drop as well. It was like an hour long roller coaster ride. Sixth, I'm getting sick and my ears wouldn't pop which caused my ears to hurt so bad I thought I would cry.

I survived the flight and, most importantly, we're home safe and sound. My parents picked us up and we ate dinner with my WHOLE family. My youngest brother was home from college and stayed to see us, yay!

We came home, unpacked and relaxed. It was so quiet and so good to be home. We found ourselves missing my grandparents though! We got along so well with them and had so. much. fun. together.

We also learned some valuable lessons from them. They have been married 64 years so it was fun watching them interact, hear their experiences, and watch them communicate. We also realized just how important it is to stay healthy! My grandparents are both 84 and they are so active - they are more active than people 10 years younger than them! INCREDIBLE! It really shows you how important it is to eat healthy, exercise, and have community with friends.

We had a wonderful holiday and will always cherish this first Thanksgiving as a married couple. And thank you, Michigan, for the lovely snow storm to welcome us back home.;)

38 comments:

Sassy Engineer said...

It looks like you had a great holiday! Your grandparents are so cute :) Now back to the real world - sadly. Have a good Monday!

Rachel said...

Awww what a great time!

And what a wonderful marriage your grandparents have; it's great to be able to have them around to spend time with! I miss my grammy!

A Belle and her Beau said...

that fancy golf cart is awesome!

I am glad you had such a good time!

Unknown said...

SO CUTEEE!!!!Yay Family!!

AmyT said...

sounds like a awesome trip! with the exception of the flight home! I love living in Florida!!! I love the warm weather!!! Glad you had a great time!

Sweetbabs said...

Looks like a great Holiday!!! You two are just to dang cute together!!! You have been given an award stop on by to pick it up.

Mojito Maven said...

looks like you had a great time and I am so jealous it was so nice that you could wear a sun dress!!!!!!

Mrs. Nurse said...

aaaa! The beach.. I am soooo jealous :)

LyndsAU said...

what a great trip :) i am so glad yall had fun! the pics are awesome and you look great!

Emily said...

looks like you two had a great thanksgiving! nice weather:) im jealous!

Kaitlyn said...

Oh my goodness, it looks like you had a wonderful time! So sorry that the return trip was not the best. Glad your Thanksgiving was lovely ;)

Kim @ NewlyWoodwards said...

That sounds like a fabulous trip! How fun!

I love Hand and Foot too, I haven't played in ages.

Anonymous said...

Looks like you 2 had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am so glad you got to get away for some time with family and fun in the sun!

THE Stephanie said...

OMG!!! Hand and Foot??? I.LOVE.That.Game. It's my all time favorite! It's so addicting! Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun - minus the trip home :)

Jennifer said...

So jealous of your warm Thanksgiving. Looks like you had a lot of fun!

ashley said...

awww.. your grandparents are adorable! i just love when older people still have the drive to get out and live it up!

Lisa said...

OMG...all that warm weather for Thanksgiving. I wouldn't know what to do with myself! What a great way to celebrate the holiday :).

New Girl on Post said...

What a wonderful Thanksgiving, minus the return flight.

Oh and how cute are your grandparents?!

Whitney said...

Looks like you had a FANTASTIC time! Wowza - next year, invite me! :)

Bekah said...

wow that looks like you had a blast!!! gosh how cute are your grandparents!?!

Kristin said...

I love Hand and Foot! My grandparents taught me how to play that game a few years ago!

I'm glad you had a great Thanksgiving! California is a sunny state too, but it actually rained on Thanksgiving! Crazy!

Tasha said...

Your grandparents are so cute! Their retirement community sounds awesome... can I move there now? I'm 29- so I'm guessing this won't qualify? The beach looks beautiful!

leah @maritalbless said...

You're in shorts and look cute, while I'm pasty and completely clothed. This isn't fair!

Pleasant Living said...

Love the pics! I think it's hysterical that Garth looks exactly the same in every single picture! Your grandparents are precious!

Robyn said...

Looks like you guys had a great trip and some great weather!

L.C.T. said...

Hey. Thanks for dropping by! Glad you enjoyed it!

Sarah said...

Grandma is so cute!!! I am glad you had a great time. I am very jealous!

Unknown said...

Your grandparents are too stinkin' cute!!! I'm glad you had a fun time with them.

I'm slightly jealous you were sporting shorts :)

And that street sign is priceless. Keep that traditon up!

Unknown said...

Sounds like a wonderful holiday! I'm so glad you had that special time with your grandparents!

Lorie said...

Sounds like a great THanksgiving! Your grandparents are too cute for words!

Shell in your Pocket said...

How fun! What cute grandparents..so sweet! So glad your first was so full of memories and love..wishing you many more!
-sandy toes

Mommy In Pink said...

Ahhh...I love the beach..glad you had fun!

JennyLee said...

your grandparents are so cute! what a great trip!

Whitney said...

Sounds(and looks) like so much fun!
I'm glad your Thanksgiving was great!

Maria said...

How awesome to be at the beach for Thanksgiving!!

morewineplease said...

Sounds and looks awesome! I bet your grandparents loved every minute of it!

Newlywed Next Door said...

So jealous! I left a warm sunny state to spend Thanksgiving in the rain and cold!

Anonymous said...

Your grandparents are just darling!
I'm glad you guys had an awesome time!