Spring Break - Clearwater Part 1

We were all super excited for vacation this Spring Break.  Things are definitely better here in the south when it comes to covid restrictions, and we have been getting out and doing things, but we were all ready to get back to our love of traveling.  We opted for the beach in hopes that we'd be spending most of our time outside and away from crowds.  We decided to go to Clearwater Beach because it was a little further south, and hopefully it had warmer water.  Marc and I went a few years ago, and we loved it.  We were excited to take the girls. Apparently a lot of people planned on spring breaking it in Clearwater.  It was more crowded than I would have liked, but we still had a great time.

Our first stop was the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The girls enjoyed seeing Winter and the other animals.

We did a fun virtual reality experience of swimming with the dolphins.

Seafood is not a choice any of the girls will make.  Seafood is always a choice that Marc and I will make. The enjoyed this fish, however!

Exhausted already!

The girls, and this one in particular, love the beach.

This has been the perfect start to a much needed family vacation.

Easter 2021

 We were so excited to be back at church for Easter this year.

Family came over for lunch and hunting eggs.

The day was beautiful, and we all enjoyed time worshiping at church and then being with family. We have so much to be thankful for this year, but nothing compares to the thankfulness we have for our Savior.

Surprise Visitors

 After the storm last fall that knocked out our power for 3 days, we knew it was time to take down some of these pine trees.  They just move too much in the wind, an they are too close to our house.

We all enjoyed watching them through this process. They are fast. They are well-trained. And some of them are just plain crazy.  One man would climb to the top, cut off the branches and top of the tree, and then swing, yes swing, onto another tree.

 

When one of the trees fell down a squirrel scurried across the driveway. One of the crew members showed us that there was a squirrel's nest in that tree.  It must have been mama squirrel running off.  There were two babies that couldn't have been more than a couple of weeks old because their eyes were still shut. Once the girls knew it was safe to hold them, these two babies had some foster mamas.

Meet Rito and Frito.

After some research we learned that mama squirrels are very good mamas.  They will find their babies and take them back to a safe place.  Macy checked the nest every few hours, and then finally mama came and took them to a new home. What an adventure we've had with these trees coming down!

Wrapping Up March

 Brooke got her braces on this year. Thankfully we found an orthodontist that said he could straighten her teeth without pulling permanent ones.

50's Day in 5th Grade

We're having some pine trees taken down and extending our yard. It's crazy how much bigger it looks when the overgrowth is mowed down.

This is always a chore.  She gets so many hand-me-downs and it was beyond time to tackle her closet. She wasn't too excited to do it with me, but she was excited to see how much more room she has in her closet. Although I would have donated a lot more than she was willing to part with.

Macy loves herself some French toast!

These two add to their fort any chance they get.

Tacky Tourist Day in Middle School

Who  messed up my bed?

I guess she knew where she wanted to be.