Last week

We went on a week-long trip from Virginia to Florida and back. My mom, dad, Dynamo, the Steed, and I ventured by Toyota 4 Runner to visit Mr. and Mrs. C (Dynamo's parents) in Bradenton, Florida! It was a fun-filled trip that included lots of adventures! I bet you didn't even know we were gone did ya?

On our way down we stopped for a brief time in Jacksonville, Florida, to visit with Dynamo's niece, Stephanie! Dynamo hadn't seen Stephanie in about 10 years or more and I had never met her! She just turned 21! Isn't she beautiful?!?!!

I was so excited to finally meet my niece! Dynamo hadn't seen her since she was about 10 years old. Wow! They do grow up! She is a wonderful and beautiful young lady and I'm so glad to finally have met her!

After our short dinner, we headed onward across the state to the Chieppas. We made it to their house in one very long day! We wanted to be sure to get the most of our time. Why waste it in a hotel! We had lots to do once we got to Bradenton, so we decided to keep driving.

Here's a photo of my parents and Dynamo's parents together on our first day together before we headed to Sarasota to the Farmers' Market/Craft Festival.

It might seem odd to you that my parents and Dynamo's parents are friends, but I think it's pretty cool! Our parents hadn't seen one another in a couple of years, so there was a lot to catch up on! It was really funny because our parents referred to us as "the kids" all week long. It just shows that no matter how old you are you're still your parents' babies!

Our week was so full! We went to a street festival on Anna Maria Island and saw this woman with her pet iguana (sp?) named M.G. She told us that M.G. stood for Mini Godzilla. I couldn't believe she was strolling through the festival with this thing on her head. M.G. was a beautiful thing! I even got to pet her. Notice the man in the background with a confused look on his face!

We also saw this crazy clown in the street. What a costume? He appeared to be riding an elephant! Cool idea!

Of course we did lots of eating...after all...we were on vacation! Here we are at a local restaurant called TooJay's! Yummy brunch!!

Here are the Chieppas on one side of the booth...

Think they look like family?

And, here are the Morrises (I'm a Chieppa now)...

I guess one could say that we look alike too right?

During the week we did lots of shopping and shell hunting. We hunted and hunted and hunted for perfect shells! One could say we were obsessed!

Dynamo and I even got goggles for our last day there, but the water was really choppy and the wind was chilly, so all I found was a mouth full of saltwater! But...I tried!

All in all it was a great week! We had a wonderful time! So did Lexi!

She just loved to look outside and see the Florida weather and the ducks on the pond. She was licking her chops! Mr. and Mrs. C's dog, Tasha, was worn out from all of the playtime she got. Their cat, Kali, was so glad Lexi went home and left her alone...finally. I'm sure Mr. C is really glad to only have one dog to walk now!

Speaking of Mr. C...here we are together...

Oh, and here is a pic of the very famous sculpture/statue in Sarasota. It's quite grand! Read about it here.

More on our second leg of the trip tomorrow. But, I'll leave you with this photo of Dynamo, my love, and I at the beach! Ah....Florida....