The kids didn't finish school until June 9th, but we started with a bang and left on the 10th for our "first" vacation. We were headed to Leesburg for Gavyn and Logan's Baptisms. The Shields, Russ and Balagna families all converged in Leesburg for this special event. As my older brother, Hal, said we were like our own branch. It was fabulous (pics to follow sometime)!!!
Things began on Saturday, I went shopping for all the activities. I only had to use an electric cart for the fourth store and thank heavens Liz "happened" to be there when I needed some help. We made it back in time for a little rest and then time to PARTY. We celebrated at George and Liz' home with some water games, helium balloons, popsicles, jell-o cake and very green cupcakes! There were 12 cousins thru most of the party and 2 more showed up towards the end. We visited a little but most were exhausted from long drives. So we headed to different hotels and beds to meet up for Sunday.
Church was wonderful, cousins in Primary together, Moms and Sisters in RS and brothers......mostly in the hall talking :).
After lots of hot picture taking, we had a beautiful service and saw our special boys make a wonderful choice. I pause here to talk about our Gavyn. He is a very energetic, all-boy boy. We've had our moments learning how to be his parents and we have a long way to go, but we are so proud of who he is. He has such a tender heart. He has a testimony of his own. He likes to joke and is constantly moving, but he ponders the gospel and has some profound insights. We are excited to see him grow and develop into who the Lord already knows he is. His powerful spirit and body have important work to do here. It's a blessing to be his Mom.
We enjoyed yummy refreshments and visiting at the church and then once again headed off in our many directions. Monday, most families went to amusement parks....us, we headed to Gainesville to see my chiropractor. Happy news there was that my atlas had stayed in place for 5 weeks. That hadn't happened in over 9 months. The prolo must be working :).
We drove on to Daytona Monday evening and played in the pool and lazy river in the dark with Becky and her kiddos. Tuesday was Shields Family day at the Beach. We played at all the Oceanwalk pools, slides, lazy river, etc. We played at the beach, caught fish, dug in the sand and smiled lots and lots getting to see cousins play at the beach together for the first time. It was wonderful. We headed up to Becky's condo for pizza, more visiting and tired kiddos (love the sun and water for how it quiets down kids).
Wed was more water, pool & beach. Bryan and Devin took the kids to the pier where they buried them in the sand, we watched a kid get arrested for jumping of the closed pier, and walked back s-l-o-w-l-y through the amusement park area, where we made plans for our return in August with the Russ family.
Thursday was packing and driving for more Doctors, another prolo treatment and then driving back to Naples. Mom and Devin got there within minutes of us. It was cool. They spent another few days with us. We enjoyed Barefoot Beach twice, once trying to be cool and stay through a rainstorm and then running back to the car freezing cold. Awesome memories! We celebrated Father's day and Devin's 19th Birthday and just had a great time.
What a way to start a summer!
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