Holiday recap #2!

Our new tradition is to rent a tandem bike and ride around Anna Maria Island one day of our trip!



After we picked up our bike we grabbed a bite to eat at the Anna Maria General Store with my parents!



It's a cute little place with lots of goodies!





We have soooooo much fun riding around and stopping in the shops! It's just so much fun to be together! All of the bikes have a parrot horn!



I bought a turtle for my bike! I can't wait to use it on the trail!

After a quick bite we headed to our favorite spot (notice my concentration)...the point!



The point was gorgeous! It's where the Gulf of Mexico and the Bay meet!





Immediately we started shelling!



Dynamo is such a good sport helping me to hunt for shells! Like I need more huh?

We found lots of sand dollars! Little ones!



It was like we were meant to find them! My most favorite shell of all and we must have found almost 20 of them. They were all officially dead (white) so don't worry!

We walked and walked and found some cool sand sculptures like this turtle...



And, an alligator!



People are very creative!



Another self portrait!



On our way back to the bikes we noticed a Great Blue Heron! He was very interested in being photographed!



And, off on our bikes for more adventures... (Dynamo took these pics while driving the bike)





We ended our day at the waterfront near the pier!





Back at Beach Bums we waited for our ride...



We had a comfortable seat while we waited!



Notice we were hitchhiking!

Happy New Year! We're back!

We're back! We took a trip to sunny Florida to see Dynamo's parents! Yes, we ALL went. My parents, Charlie, Dynamo, and I! This was Charlie's first big trip! And, he did GREAT in the car for over 13 hours both ways! He likes to sit in Grandpa's lap to see out the window!



We made a few stops along the way to break up the trip for everyone!



We got in really late the Thursday before Christmas, but the children were so excited to meet for the first time!



They were moving so fast I couldn't get any pics! Dynamo's parents have a dog (Tasha) and a cat (Kali). Charlie had never seen a kitty before!

We got up on Friday and ventured out!



Our first lunch together! Mom and Dad Chieppa and my mom!



And, us and my dad!



Charlie was having a blast. Dynamo's parents live in a planned community with sidewalks (something we don't know about in the country).



There was a big lake with thick grass. He took every opportunity to roll around in it. I couldn't even get him moving for his walk!



I mean...look at this ham!



I thought he was going to roll into the lake!



He said, "Mom, this stuff is amazing!"



Like he's never seen grass before!



It was a little chilly for the moms!



But, not Charlie! This was his kind of weather!



Charlie checked out every tree, shrub, mailbox, and blade of grass in that neighborhood! He had never seen a neighborhood before!



And, on Saturday we all went to the big Farmers' Market in Sarasota!

Even Charlie!



He did pretty good considering! It's much bigger than the Petersburg Market. Lots and lots of people and dogs!



Eventually he just found himself a sunny spot to chill!



Right in a walkway! Like he owned the place!



The goodies at the market were amazing!!!



Just gorgeous in color!





The displays were lovely!



Anything you could want right at your fingertips!





Did I mention there were lots of dogs?



Such a fun way to spend a morning! Markets are so great!



And, we ventured to Anna Maria Island (our favorite) to eat at Ginny's and Jane e's!



A super cute, eclectic shop and eatery!



We hit the beach as soon as we could after checking in my parents at their condo!



Shell time!



Yes, it was chilly!





We even checked out the new Publix grocery store on Longboat Key! We were in awe at the wall of nuts! (Yes, I know the Richmond stores have these, but everytime we see one it's just so much fun)



I found my new favorite trail mix there!



The night was complete with dinner at the Beachhouse on Anna Maria! Yum!



More on the trip in the next post...