Anna Maria Island!

We just got back from Florida this weekend. We went to Anna Maria Island. It is BEAUTIFUL!! Think Destin without all of the tourists. We go every other year with the Warren side of the family. The water is crystal blue and just the perfect temperature. The beaches are white powder and SO soft. This was Lila's first time at the beach and I think you can tell from her face in every photo, She loved it!! Thanks Grumps and Cha Cha for such a fun trip :) Long post, beware.

Day 1

Lila did GREAT on the flight. She slept the whole way. We flew into Tampa and got in our rental car and drove to the condo. Then once the rest of the family got there, we went out to dinner and had some delicious crab cakes. Everyone was tired from the travels, so we called it a night.

Day 2 (Father's Day)

We woke up bright and early and hit the beach.

Lila was in awe of the ocean.

She thought the waves were purely there for her enjoyment:)

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

We had a little pool of fresh water for her to splash around in. We had some big beach umbrellas with lots of shade and she was in hog heaven! We took our monitor and would take her up to the house to nap. It was nice to have some time for the grown ups to play in the water too. That night we played charades. I will never forget Grumps shaking it like a polaroid picture or Josh trying to be a bee :)

Day 3

The boys got up really early and went out with Capt. Greg to go Bay fishing. They caught some incredible fish. Grumps even caught a shark!!! Us ladies played out at the beach. (I really don't need anything else to make my vacay fun)

Lila and her cousin Mia had so much fun together.

She sported her TTU swimsuit that day. (Thanks Ally)

The three fisherman.

After dinner we went out to get some delicious Florida Ice cream. Why do all kids love the blue??

Day 4

The wind was out of control this morning at the beach, so Cha Cha found a great Bay Sea Cruise that we decided to go on. Lila was screaming at all the people on the boat. We saw some amazing animals, including several dolphins with their baby!

Day 5 (my birthday)

Josh took Lila this morning so I could sleep in. When I woke up he had made my favorite, blueberry pancakes! Then he told me he had booked a surprise trip. We went parasailing!! Josh is afraid of heights, but went anyway b/c it was my bday:)

Here we are with Roxann and Justin about to go out!

A tiny boat took us out from the bay side to the beach side of the island. It was scarier than the actual parasailing.

Here we are taking off!!!

There is Justin and Roxann way up in the sky.

We came back to these happy sunbathers.

That night we went to a great restaurant right on the beach. We saw the most amazing sunset. I couldn't get the pictures in the right order so they are coming up.

Day 6

This was the most beautiful day of them all. We just stayed and enjoyed the beach.

Happy Girl!

Here is that sunset.

On our last day, Mia met Santa Claus on the beach. She went up and asked him if that's who he was and he said yes. He said he was there on vacation too :)

I wish our video camera would have been charged so I could show you how happy she was and the CRAZY noises she made each time a wave came. I can't wait for many more trips to the island!

On the flight home Lila wasn't as well behaved. She needed entertainment for all 2 1/2 hours :)

Thank you Grumps and Cha Cha for the most wonderful, relaxing trip. We needed it. Now we are finishing packing and getting ready to move on Tuesday!!!