This year, we left for Florida on December 24. We were meant to take a trip with a stop but we got to the airport super early to switch to the non stop…which was then delayed by like 5 hours. Our tickets were then canceled when we didn’t board the original plane we were supposed to switch to in Atlanta…but they got us back on the still delayed flight. We bonded with the other people on our plane, including a lady who told us her son went to the school my kids go to and then introduced us to someone who is brothers with someone the kids are friendly with, although we never knew this brother existed! So after all of that, we ended up landing in Florida around midnight. We arranged to stay in a hotel that night so we didn’t keep any of our parents awake and waiting for us. So it was a hectic beginning to the trip.
On our first real day in Florida, the boys started the day with donuts. Donuts are a traditional Hanukkah food, so a few were eaten during the trip!
We then went to Hollywood Beach to walk around a bit, since we were still nearby.
We watched this kid on the wave riding thing, he is not one of mine!
I’ve always liked this mural.
Simon indulged me in taking his picture in the same spot I had in the past…
From there, we headed to my parents’ house. This year, we split up where we stayed. Dave and I stayed at my parents while the boys stayed at Dave’s parents. (When Gabbie joined us, she stayed with my parents too.) At my parents’ house, we watched the Chiefs game and entertained ourselves by looking at my dad’s high school yearbook. Then we went to Dave’s parents for dinner. We had ordered food that night which we all shared, hence this variety filled plate.
It was also the first night of Hanukkah.
The next morning, I took a walk with my mom, as I did every morning we were there. When the boys got there, we went to the pool.
On the way back, we saw this bird.
For lunch, we went to a newly opened kosher supermarket not for from my parents. As we were walking in, I was saying that my friend’s parents were in Florida for the winter. As we approached the door of the supermarket, I saw two young girls pointing at the boys and laughing. I asked if the boys knew them, and we realized that it was my friend’s daughter and niece! Her parents were there with her daughter and three of their other grandkids, who we also know! So we had to take a group photo.
We had lunch at the store and I got poke.
We went back to my parents’ and then for dinner, we went out with Dave’s parents. It was our anniversary and we share our anniversary with his parents as well.
Dave and I split our meals and sides, so this plate shows all of what we ate!
(non dairy mac and cheese)
Anniversary dessert:
The roses Dave’s sister sent their parents:
And night two of Hanukkah:
On Friday morning, Dave took forever getting the boys and getting back to my parents’ house and things there were stressful. Dave brought me a salad for lunch and then we walked over to the family fun day that they have in my parents’ neighborhood.
Friday night and Saturday were spent with Dave’s parents. Saturday night was night 4 of Hanukkah:
And we went to Carvel:
That covers the first few days of the trip and I’ll continue next time with part 2!
