Memorial Day weekend at Longboat Key

All three of us have been so busy with work/school and desperately felt the need to get away and focus on each other and just relaxing for a long weekend. Maddy graduated 10th grade on Friday so we headed out that night for our little beach getaway for Memorial Day weekend:).

We stayed at an adorable place called the Wicker Inn right on the beach in Longboat Key. It couldn't have been more perfect...

The beach was so quiet and sea turtle nesting season has just begun so all beachside properties are required to have their lights off at night so that the hatching babies can find the water by the light of the moon.

 

Every morning volunteers walk the beach and mark any new nests - this one was just outside our room...

We woke up early on the first day and enjoyed a lovely walk together...

There were tons of bird photo opportunities to try out my fabulous new camera - I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying my new hobby!

And of course I can take such pretty pictures of her...

...with him...:)

Mike and Maddy bought some fancy new snorkeling gear and had a blast playing around in the water as usual :)

In the evenings the sunsets were so beautiful...

It wouldn't be an Early trip if we didn't sneak off for some offbeat tourist sight seeing too. We found out about Sarasota Jungle Gardens on the Roadside America app. I got to feed flamingos!

And we saw this 79-year old cockatoo ride the very same unicycle as he had on the Ed Sullivan show back in the 70s!

We also found the 'Unconditional Surrender' statue in downtown Sarasota...

And got a round of applause from a crowd of strangers for this shot :)

 

And we couldn't resist a trip to the Amish/Mennonite community of Pinecraft. 3,000 people vacation here every year from Ohio/Pennysylvania and it was really interesting to see their community and get a feel for how they live. We ate at Yoder's restaurant, made famous by their appearance on Man vs.Food (clip here!)

 

 

The food was amazing :). 

It was a completely perfect weekend and just what we needed. I feel so grateful for my family and this amazing place that we live in. And on this Memorial Day, I feel especially grateful for the service and sacrifice of those that have safeguarded our freedom. Life is good:)

A Fantastic Memorial Day Weekend!

Mike and Maddy went over to see family while Lu and I started out the weekend with a paint run in Tampa. It was soooo much fun! (running stuff here!)

 

 

On Sunday, we went over to see Jen, Rich, Mya, Sue and Richard who were staying on Lake Harris in the camper...

 

 

After a couple of hours by the pool...

 

 

...and some snacks (!)...

 

We decided to do a bit of exploring in Mount Dora which was just 10 miles down the road. I had heard it was really pretty and full of antique and craft stores. It is such a gorgeous little town, full of character and right on the water. It reminded me a lot of St. Augustine...:)

 

Lake Dora...

 

 

Lunch was fantastic...

 

I have a new obsession with water towers for some reason. I just love them...:)

 

The sunset on the way home over Lake Harris was beautiful...

 

We saw an osprey and chick in their nest...

On Monday we had friends over and spent some time entertaining at home which was a perfect way to round off the weekend. Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Memorial Day weekend!

It was a busy Memorial Day weekend. I started out the weekend at Epcot catching up with the gorgeous Nichols family :)

Mike's family gathered at The Villages and were really surprised that Pete flew in to spend the day with everyone!

The girls were so happy to catch up with their cousins...

They love their Nana!

Happy Birthday Dave!

Memorial Day family weekend!

We had a perfect Early family Memorial Day weekend! On Saturday morning Mike completed his third triathlon at Crystal River...(more pics and stuff on the running blog here!). Congratulations Mike!!!!

Afterwards, we headed over to the hotel and met lil' Gregory for the first time. I don't think I've ever seen a baby look as much like his father. In fact he looks more like Greg than Greg did as a baby!

We spent the afternoon relaxing by the pool. Here's Greg, Jen, Eyeball and Rita...

Mya, Lynda, Greg and Maddy in the pool :)...

Then we got ready and went for dinner. Dave and Matt were in rare form ;)

Liz and baby Declan...

Rich, Jen and Mya!

Maddy and Mya...

Lynda and Greg...

And us...

In the morning the hotel receptionist took a look at Mike and got all excited for a moment when she thought Anthony Bourdain was staying at the hotel. This isn't the first time and I don't really watch his show so I found a couple of pics online so that you can judge for yourself.

 

Just to clarify, Mike is the one on the left...Happy Memorial Day!!!