FL trip!!

After a long car ride, we made it just in time for dinner with Forest's parents. We ended up finding a rental house on the internet that had enough rooms and an enclosed pool and patio for the week for cheaper than a hotel room. It was great to be able to invite all the family to use the pool and outdoor eating area and hang out in a different place while the children were able to take regular naps.

As you can see from pictures on our photo page, we spent the whole week in the pool, and loved it. Nathanael loved to use just his swim-ring to swim around in the pool and jump in off the steps. Though he learned a quick lesson to always have his swim ring or make sure Daddy heard him before he jumps in, Miss Kristen, Uncle Mike's fiance, was quick to pull him up.

Hannah liked the water too, sometimes she was content to ride the pool toys. Her favorite pool toy was the panda bear that she called "Oso" because he looked like a cartoon bear on Disney named Oso. Sometimes she got adventurous and played on the steps (though she got a couple of lessons on being still on the steps too, with Daddy right there to help her upright again). Mostly she liked playing with the water out of the pool.

Talitha liked the water for a little while, but mostly she liked to be near Mommy and Daddy. She enjoyed all the extra attention from all the aunts and uncles and grandmas and her grandpa. Also, there were so many big kids to watch, with five older cousins around.

Forest and Laura even got an afternoon at the beach by themselves (thanks, Mom) and Forest introduced her to the wave-runner. What an experience! Forest likes to go fast and try to catch some air. Laura spent most of the time holding on to his life-vest for dear life, except the two times she was thrown off and just couldn't hold on any longer. When she tried driving the wave-runner, she found even more water in her face than when she hid behind Forest's back. Laura did have fun riding the waves with her husband. The oddest thing happened too--as they were renting it, another couple was renting at the same time, and they were from Louisville too! On the way to the beach showers, Forest had a surprise waiting for him, though he was totally unsuspecting. A bird came down behind him and attacked his back!! They later learned while watching other unsuspecting victims (with others who had been attacked) that the attacking birds were protecting an injured baby bird on the ground near the sidewalk.

The Lord was gracious and gave us a great time of fellowship and fun with family and friends in Florida and even more merciful during our travels. We look forward to our next trip down.