Miscellaneous Florida Pictures

We packed in summer fun every chance we got. Well, when we weren't checking our e-mail or playing on the DS...

Dinner at Schooner's the night before we left. This restaurant is within walking distance of their house.


It was really hard to have to go home. I tried to put it off. All I had to do was say the magic words, "Kathryn, do you want me to paint your toenails?" and she ran over and plopped her foot on the table. But then it really was time to leave.


And this is what we came home to. Boo.

Girls' Day Out

After spending so much time with the wild Meissner boys, Megan, Kathryn, and I decided we needed to go out for some shopping.

I tried really hard, and I almost had her convinced, but Kathryn decided against getting her ears pierced. She did find some beautiful magnetic dangly earrings though. These are definitely auntie-approved!

Lunch outside! The shopping mall is outside!

Meanwhile, Matt, Steve, and Karl were shaking the rust off their baseball skills.

Dolphin Cruise

It's strange to think, as I look out the window and see snow all over the place, that a week ago today we were still in Florida and went on a dolphin cruise. We did see a lot of dolphins jumping around the boat, but they are too speedy to get pictures. You'll just have to believe me.

Before we got on the boat, this pirate made a balloon-sword for Karl.


We each got a bag of popcorn to feed the seagulls. Although a few people were brave enough to have them swoop down and eat from their hands, we took the "throw it out to the water and have them catch it in the air" approach.


We went on a sunset cruise. It was SO beautiful.


Karl even got to drive the boat for a while!

Baytowne Wharf

Our Florida adventure continues!

Monday morning Matt and I went for a walk around the neighborhood. This is the marina near Steve and Megan's house.

Little Mack also got a haircut that day. Here's his "before" picture:

And here he is after his puppy pampering:

The boys played some basketball before we headed to Destin.

Then we went to Baytowne Wharf, a little mini-town with tons of restaurants, play areas, and… a zip line!

Karl and the scary gelato man


Karl and Nate plotting their antics...


zip line time!


Matt


Karl


Steve

Beach Bums

The first day at the beach, Matt stayed under a big umbrella, slathered in sunblock. Unfortunately that wasn't enough to keep his skin from burning, so he got a pass on the beach the next day. Good thing the rest of us were happy to go! It was a fabulous day of basking, splashing, and playing in the sand.



Megan and I spent a lot of time discussing just how in the world those Meissner brothers got lucky enough to marry us.


This is Kathryn sneakily eating some Smarties that she found in the beach bag.


Nate and Karl spent a long time building a huge, dense, sandpile. Then they left to go play on the playground.

After they left, a guy playing frisbee took advantage of their creation, using it for a beer-holder.

After 3 ½ hours, we were pretty wiped out. It was a good evening to go out to Outback Steakhouse.