Day 6: Pre-Wedding Pool Time

The day of the wedding had finally arrived. We spent the morning in the pool, just lounging around. Knowing it was going to be a long night we headed back to the hotel room late morning so the boys could take a nap. While Nate held the fort down I went with Sue and Amy (who got their hair done)and the Iffland girls to get a pedicure.

Day 5: Sun, Sand, and More Fun

Day 5 landed us at the beach. The boys as usual enjoyed playing in the sand. Our evening ended with dinner at a restuarant that Troy, Nate's brother used to work at while he lived in Florida. This was also the first night the boys slept in the same bed. Before we left for Florida we reserved a pack and play at the hotel for Sutton. When we arrived we were told that they didn't have any one for us. Our room had 2 double beds, so we made the best of it each night.

Day 4: Caterpillars, Conversation, and More Sandal Shopping

Day 4 ended our stay with Nate's Aunt Carol and began our journey to Naples for his brothers wedding. Aunt Carol drove us back to the Tampa airport where we picked our Dodge Charger rental car. On the way we stopped for lunch at Wendy's. While Nate was getting the food Leland decided to strike up a conversation with a lady sitting a couple tables over. Leland and Sutton were both wearing John Deere ball caps, so the conversation started with how Leland was going to be a farmer and what he was going to have on his farm. This went on for awhile and then the conversation shifted to 4-wheelers and all of his famous questions: do you have a dog, what is its name, etc. When this lady left they said good bye and Leland waved out the window as she walked by. When we returned to the car there was a caterpillar on the door that caught Sutton's attention and he was not getting back in the car until he had touched it. We then made our way to the outlet mall that was behind Wendy's. Again I left empty handed!! By this time we had to get moving because Nate still needed to pick up his tux and we needed to be in Naples for the rehearsal dinner. The boys were able to catch up on some much needed rest on our drive. Our evening ended with the wedding rehearsal followed by dinner at Joe's Crab Shack (I forgot my camera for these events, so I have no pictures).

Day 3: pics continued

Day 3: Sun And Steak So Tender You Can Cut It With A Fork

Our third day started out as usual with a breakfast of cinnamon raisin toast. Then we headed for the beach. Once at the beach we discovered that we probably should have gotten a little earlier of a start, there were was not one parking spot to be found!! We headed just down the road a bit to the other side of the same beach and were able to find a spot to park. The kids enjoyed digging and playing. That night we were treated to a fabulous dinner by Nate's dad and step-mom at Yamato Japanese Steak House. Nate and I had never been to a Japanese steak house. The food was excellent!!! The boys were not quite sure what to think, especially after the first "fire" that the cook created, Sutton cried and crawled into my lap. Then I think the cook didn't know what to think either as he responded "little boys don't like fires". Leland watched as he put each item on the grill to cook. The man at the end of our table ordered tuna steak. When the tuna hit the grill Leland said "he is cooking watermelon". Everybody had a good laugh, but he was right it did look like a big piece of watermelon.

Day 2: pictures continued

I need to figure out how to add more than 5 photos to a post!! So here is part 2 of day 2 pictures.

Day 2: Sandals, Fish, and Burgers

Our second day started out with a trip to a near by mall in search of a pair of black sandals for me. I had looked at home, but had no luck. I quickly learned that I wasn't having much luck in Florida either. But being the fearless shopper that I am we stopped at most every mall in search of the black sandals. After an empty handed shopping trip we headed to the Tampa Aquarium with Nate's aunt Carol and her friend Shelia. The aquarium was great!!! The boys had a great time looking at all the great fish, turtles, octopus, lobsters, crabs, sharks, etc. They also got to touch lots of neat things, sting rays, star fish, etc. Even though we were only at day 2 the boys were already experiencing sleep deprivation. The instant we got in the car both of them would sleep with heads falling forward and a stream of drool flowing from their mouth. We then headed to a burger joint that Nathan is still raving about today. If it wasn't enough that I ate a double cheeseburger (Nate ordered for me) we went to a wonderful ice cream place. Once back at the ranch (Aunt Carol's house) the boys just didn't think it would be right to end the day without a swim in the pool.