Why Can't All The Famiy Live In Florida?

Every time I go to Florida, I always come home fantasizing a life enjoying the beautiful days there. As my parents say, "Just another day in paradise!" There are so many stories to tell that this blog will mostly be pics. And sorry but i had some fantastic videos but for some reason they won't post!
The real reason we come to Florida - the beautiful beach. Four visits in one week. And i'm just kidding M&D - we come for the food too :)
Eli started off a little nervous about the waves but was soon slamming into them with glee on his face. It made dad laugh a lot and grandma a nervous wreck!
Ava learned how to boogie-board fast! It wasn't too long until she would sit upon the board out in the ocean and let the waves just rock her back and forth. Looked like a surfer.
Here she is catching a good wave!
The one thing i will say about the ocean is that it wears the kids out! BTW doesn't Ava have such a "I'm thinking of bad things to do" look on her face?
You want proof that the kids were awesome for the trip? 30 hours in a car and tons of sugar-filled activities and this was the only time out done by either child. (And if you know me you know i'm not shy about doling them out when deserved - Roman Ruins and Irish Pubs to name a few have all felt their noses!)
Playing a great new game - hide the hoola-hoops!
We took another trip to the Jacksonville Zoo. There is supposed to be a video of Ava the snake charmer here but Google doesn't like me at this moment. (It's mutual.) But there was this Komodo Dragon.
Even zoos feel the need for rock walls these days!
The silverback must have been put on Prozac since our winter visit because he seemed quite calm. (See that blog for the reference.)
The big attraction for the zoo these days - a 3 week old giraffe!
Look at that tongue! Almost makes shelling out $4 for two twigs worth it. Almost.
Grandpa and grandma ... still lookin' good.
Both kids got the opportunity to buy one toy. They got matching snakes - Ava's is green. I'm sure mom was thrilled!
Here Ava and grandpa are designing a new ... something. I never caught onto what it was :)
Eli has mastered the art of monkey-barring.
The story of the magic ring. A shell that perfectly fit and had the ability to remove the pain of monkey-bar caused blisters that hurt in the ocean. This ring is the only reason Ava got into the water!
Eli and I flew a kite!
And so did Ava. Funny story - While Eli and I were swimming and his kite was tied off a teenager accidentally knocked it loose. Rather than letting it go, she got her boyfriend to go off into the sticks and finally chased it down. Renews my faith in youth somewhat. And Eli got a nice little hug from the girl when he thanked her :)
For those who don't know ... Eli has turned into the master of Stratego. He handily beat grandma 3 times and regularly beats mom. Dad's still a challenge though.
Ness was so nice to arrange a trip to a water park for the kids. Due to a ... let us say malfunction ... most of the pics are missing. But here's the wave pool!
And here's the kids saying good-bye. It was a great day for all and a huge thanks goes out to Ness - the best mother i know :) (BTW - ask Ava about the "White Ride" and think "vertical drop" when you do.)
But though it all ... the kids couldn't wait to see mom again. And i think the feeling was mutual.
On a side note, thanks also goes out to Codey and Julie for letting us crash their house on the way back. It's common for good friends to separate and lose touch but we just keep on truckin'. And our kids got the opportunity to hang for the first time in almost 4 years!

Ava and Xavier have been arranged for marriage since she was born and they hit it off nicely. I almost think I saw flirting :) And tell me if you have ever seen a better smile on Eli's face.