Florida Vacation Here We Come (Florida Trip 2018 Part 1)

The kids have been waiting years for this vacation and we were so excited that our family was finally able to plan this trip. In January we told them it should happen in 2018 and then for various reasons we eventually ended up letting them know it would be in May, but we kept the actual day a secret because a) its fun and b) Lorelei tends to get anxious for trips, even though she doesn't want to be!

Our flight didn't leave very early, so we let the kids get ready for school before we told them. (Again, I'm not sure I will intentionally miss the last week of school again because it makes already-chaotic May even crazier, but it was our choice for this time!)

Surprise!

Brad and I had carry-on envy this trip. Aunt Heather got the kids carry-on luggage for Christmas and boy was that awesome. So amazing having two kids old enough to have their own bags at the airport. Carry-on is the only way we will fly from now on after too many times of airlines loosing luggage!

They watched Dolphin Tale on the flight there.

We were in the bottom part
of this house named "Lower Deck"

We found a sweet beach house that was built around 1928. Although it was not decorated to its full potential, it is all about the location, which was awesome. 100-150 steps from the ocean was just perfect for us. I absolutely loved the patio for all our meals.

Our walk to the beach from the house.

Couldn't resist getting this when we shopped. :)

We had to grocery shop right after flying in, so we quickly picked up pizza for supper and then couldn't resist a quick visit to the beach before bedtime. We got to experience the ocean with a rainbow, which was a first for all of us!

Her happy place.

Getting a start on his shell collection the first night.

The people who owned the rentals had a couple of cats who wondered around the area.
Of course the kids were elated about this. :)