Our Last Night and Coming Home!


Friday was out last day at Lido Beach, FL and we all decided we need to celebrate in style. So - it was out to the local Spanish establishment "Columbia" for Tapas and Sangria! The food was excellent and the Sangria even better.



After dinner, we walked around St. Armand's Circle one last time and then back to the hotel to start the task of packing.







Saturday - well - that was the day we decided that some how, the amount of stuff we brought down with us had multiplied and no longer fit in the van! So, a quick dip in the pool, one last search for seashells, somehow figured out how to pack (or shove) all of our stuff back in the van and we were off headed for home. It was definately sad to say farewell to our friends the Marcus' but our next trip is already under plans - hopefully for a time in the winter when Savannah can experience real "snow"! And, while it was a long drive, we all handled the 12 hours well (thanks to a few stops and the play yard at McDonald's in Southern GA.



So - all in all - the week complete, well rested, tan and a few pounds heavier - we start back in our routine tomorrow of work and school. The week was much to short and I feel like I need a vacation from vacation!!!

Enjoy the last few pictures from our vacation. Hope you all enjoyed the trip!

Unil the next post.....

Michael (How many more miles 'til home?), Ann Marie (Harry Potter Lives!!!) and Savannah (Where's Zoe and Gracie??)

Thursday....

Today was another lazy, restful day at the beach. Again, our routine has been up at 7am, to the pool by 8am, beach by 9am. Beach until lunch time. Then, it's naptime for the little one, Harry Potter reading for Mom and Dad and Paul on a quest to get to the Tiki Bar down the beach!

Other than dinner at a local resturant, a quick excursion to the local silversmith for some unique jewerly, the day was rather uneventful and wonderful so - enjoy the pictures!

Until Friday....

Mike (excuse me sir, I ordered a Mia Tia but they brought me a Pina Colada), Ann Marie (Who knew there could be so much shopping in this little circle!) and Savannah (did someone say Mac n Cheese?) Kennedy

Wednesday...

The day started as it has all week so far - off to the pool for a dip and swim and then - off to the beach to play in the surf, sand and sun. Savannah still does not like to go into the surf by herself but she loves the beach and digging in the sand. After a couple hours of fun in the sun (and Ann Marie working), it was off to St. Armand's Circle for a bite of lunch, frosty beverages for the adults and a bit of shopping by the whole crew.

There is a tropical storm in the gulf off the coast of Texas and we can definately see the increase in the surf here in FL. So - what does that mean??? Why boogie boarding- what else!!! After playing in the surf, it was a restful evening on the porch with steaks on the grill and the girls running around in the sand. A quick walk on the beach to look at the multiple turtle nests (May to October is turtle nesting season on the Gulf Coast), sand pipers in the surf and the sun setting completed the evening.

















Other than that, not much else to report so enjoy the pictures!

Until the next post tomorrow.....

Mike (What day is it?), Ann Marie (I will finish Harry Potter!!!) and Savannah (Mommy - Pool!)

Seashells for Everyone!

Late on Monday Mommy, Daddy and Savannah went out to look for seashells before the sun went down. We strolled down the beach with Savannah filling her bucket with shells to share with her friends at daycare. It was a real joy listening to the giggle come out every time she found a nice specimen!


Two Families, Two Places!

The mode for today was all about gender based fun. The boys went to golf and the girls hit the aquarium so we all came home happy!

First, Paul and I went over to Lakewood Ranch and the Legacy Golf Course (http://www.legacygolfclub.com/) where John Deere tests all of our new equipment. Deere has been testing at this particular course for years as it is only a few miles from our main test site on the Lakewood Ranch proprety which is owned and managed by the Uihlein family, founders of Schlitz Brewing Company. All I can say is that a good time was had even with the high temps and humidity, but we were disappointed by the lack of a beer cart and the foursome of slow pokes that held us up!


The girls took the afternoon to visit the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in Sarasota (http://www.mote.org/) after lunch and a nap. Savannah was immediately drawn to "Dory" and "Nemo" along with all the wonderful starfish, sharks, sting rays, dolphins and of course - who could leave Florida without seeing the Manatee Rescue and Turtle Rehabilitation Center!!! And then, where else did all the girls end up - back at the POOL for a cool down and a bit of relaxing before getting all the children off to bed after a very busy day.

Till our next adventure tomorrow.....

Mike (Could we PLEASE play through?), Ann Marie (I am 100 pages into Harry Potter - leave me alone!) and Savannah (Look Mommy - Nemo!!!)

The end of the day....

Well, another day is in the books at Lido Beach and we are enjoying some much needed rest. It is easy to see how people with money enjoy the good life as the boats and houses down here make Nags Head and Carolina Beach look like the low rent section of town, but then again we have a simple way of life in North Carolina that cannot be duplicated with all the money in the world! After a great lunch at the Old Salty Dog on Sunday where the Mahi Mahi and Grouper came on a warm bun with a cold beer we headed back to the beach to enjoy the sun. A early dinner in the downstairs abode consisting of a great Cobb Salad and Carrot Cake we had a round of Frozen Beverages to cap off an excellent day. A late night thunderstorm over the Gulf of Mexico provided the evening fireworks closing out the day in fine fashion. We will check back in on Tuesday to let you take a virtual vacation with us! Till then....

Mike (What do you mean only 4 oz. of Rum?), Ann Marie (Can we go shopping now?), and Savannah (Pool Time!) Kennedy

A long time coming....

Okay, we know its been a while but this post will get us a little out of order. You see, we are on vacation right now in the Sunshine State, better known as Florida, with our friends the Marcus's and having a blast! We wanted to post a few quick photos so family and friends could see how much Savannah is enjoying her first trip to the beach! So sit back and enjoy, but we promise to update the BLOG with a full blown recap of the Kennedy's coming and goings really soon! Till then....

Michael (Why do stupid people get to drive?), Ann Marie (When do we get to mix drinks?), and Savannah (Are we there yet?) Kennedy