Home Here We Come

We had a nice slow start in the morning before we headed out from our beach week!

The kids took another ride in the golf cart....

and we got some great quality conversation time with Cliff.

Some last minute pictures in their prayer garden.

So thankful for family and blessed by their amazing hospitality.

Zoe had been wanting to get boba tea all week and we had not had the chance.  We made a point to find a place on the way home, though!

They had a beautiful lake behind the shop that we checked out while we waited.

And even found some ducks nesting in the potted plants.

I get a decent uniquely flavored coffee..

and a waffle sandwich for us to share.

The kids were all very happy about their boba drinks!

We didn't make as many stops this go around, as the parents were ready to be home and there was more traffic.  We did hit just a couple of short ones on the way, though.

Peace World right off the interstate also had goats interestingly enough.

Shiloh loves them so!

Ezra sported the glasses he had found at a park 😂 while listening to his audiobook.

Last stop with beautiful trees!

No one was up for taking pictures with them so I just took a selfie.

Beyond thankful for such an amazing week with family and truly treasured our time together!  Can't wait to go back next year!

Donuts, Dolphins, & Visiting Family! (Day 7)

The next morning we managed to clean up with not to much stress and even get out of the house early.  We had a couple of yummy stops on the way for motivation.

Parlor Donuts were up first!

They even had some gluten free and keto ones that Beach and I enjoyed.  Much smaller but still a great treat.

Next up, some coffee at a local chain we had wanted to check out.  The kids were not as thrilled for this one for us...

Had to try their pies they are known for.

Then we were off to spot some dolphins.  My parents and my family exchanged our rained out sunset tour for this tour instead.

The weather couldn't be more perfect this go around!

We attempted to take a picture.....and realized we got photobombed....

so we tried again....only to have another child do so 😜

Pretty soon we were up and moving!

Love my girls!

So many beautiful things to see along the water which was fabulous in itself, but I did pray that we would also get to see some dolphins.

God was so gracious in answering that.  After boating around for awhile we found a huge school of them, including babies.  We hung out for a while and, at one point, they came all around our boat.  It felt magical.

We all had such a great time!!

Then we were on the road headed back north.  We didn't have to long before we had a stop at Beach's aunt and uncle's house for the night.

We brought some Loveland swag...

The kids got some precious items as well!

We toured all the beach treasures around their house that they have found, including a meteorite. 

Then we headed out to the pool in their neighborhood!

We all had a great time.

Back home we got cleaned up and Zoe enjoyed hearing Cliff play...

and playing their "Cliffhanger" yard game.

Ezra caught a tree frog.

Caught Zoe laughing...

and, also, a normal one.

Such a special dinner!

My favorite part, though, was visiting their local beach together!

We all found shark teeth, a first for most of the kids...

Double the Love(land)!

The beach had so many shells, but most of them were not intact.

Selfies with my boys!

Then the Lord gave us the most beautiful sunset!

Their clubhouse that drew them to the area looked even more stunning!

It was closed so Cliff gave the kids a peek at the pool.  It had been several years since we had been their so they wanted to see it!

Once getting back to her house, Marie was very gracious to the kids and let them take home more shells from her collection.

To top off such an amazing day s'more making!

The kids were excited about such!

This was such a blessed fantastic day to top off our beach week!  We will carry so many memories in our heart as we head home the following day!