Spring Break in Florida

Well, we finally did it. We went on the traditional spring break camping trip to Florida and had a blast! It was the first time camping for our little family. I enjoy camping, Shawn does not - but was kind enough to come along for the ride!  We left Tuesday night and drove 4 1/2 hours to Bainbridge, GA and got a hotel for the night.  We were then only 2 1/2 hours away from our final destination - St. Joseph's Peninsula State Park!  We got there just in time for lunch - so we got the girls chairs out and gave them a snack so we could get camp set up!

Have I told you how much I LOVE our tent?  It's a Coleman Instant Tent - that sets up in one minute.  We walked by a camp our last night there and someone was just pulling in.  We were walking back from watching the sunset on the beach and the poor family had the tent laid out, trying to find the matching polls and figure out which way they went in.  They were running out of daylight and it didn't look like they were getting their tent up soon!  I again fell in love with our tent.  Pull it out of the bag, push up the legs and hammer in the stakes.  Ta-da!  Instant tent, in less then one minute!

Caleb was ready for a nap and so Shawn stayed and worked on his dissertation while the girls and I venture out to the beach.  It was very windy and somewhat cold the first day!  It only reached mid-60's.  We had a great time playing in the sand though.

After a few hours of fun, we went on a walk to explore the campground.  We found a long sleek black snake (sorry mom, no picture).  The walk was a little long for Ali - but we all made it.  It was a good family outing.

That night, it was to be mid-40's so we bundled everyone up!  Caleb and I shared a sleeping bag - he slept the whole night, wrapped in my arms.  I could hold him all day!  It was a VERY cold night - but the kids seemed warm - Shawn was wishing he had a ski cap.  He was nice enough to let me wear his hoodie.  All of the other nights were just fine!

Adalyn wanted to snuggle with Shawn.

Andie in her cute little visor.

Staying out of the wind in the morning.  It eventually calmed down and Shawn took the girls to the beach, while I stayed and camped with Caleb.  I was glad I found my ear warmers in the van!

After our nap, we decided to take everyone a snack and some water.  Bundle up - it was still only mid-60's.  That's cold for us southerners!

It didn't keep the girls from having a good time though.  They had their buckets full of water and loved making sand castles, mud and whatever else you do.  As you can see, there little hands were purple.  The water wasn't quiet warm yet!

Who says you can't camp on the beach in coats and jeans? 

Waiting for breakfast the next morning.  I got up and made the fires in the morning.  The girls were impressed with my "log house" on this particular morning.  I even used the pine needles to make the roof - then set it all on fire.  :)  It was fun.

Adalyn enjoying a yogurt before her pancakes and eggs.

Caleb and Mom, hanging out by the fire.

Wait...could this be the same trip?  YES!  It reach upper 70's on Friday - it was beautiful and perfect.  I even got burned as red as a lobster.  The girls had a great time at the beach.

Our little sailor boy!

We even saw Dolphins today! 

Then we watched the sunset that night.  It was beautiful!

The kids thought it was so cool to watch the sun dive down into the ocean!  Good Night Sun!

We had a great time and I would definitely camp again!  However, you might get a different story, depending on who you talk to.  Shawn thought the food was good, but the drive was long.  Like I said, he's not a camper.

Andie had a great time but "only likes Disney World in Florida."  I asked her why she didn't like the rest of Florida and she said, "I don't like the fires and the smoke!"  I told her that wasn't Florida, that was part of camping.  She then said, "Oh, then I don't like camping!"  She had a fun time, and really liked roasting marshmallows and starburst around the fire.

When we first saw the ocean, with the palm trees, Ali exclaimed, "WE'RE IN HAWAII!!!"  We wish!  But Florida will do.  She had a great time and LOVED the beach and the water, even though it was cold - it didn't bother her.

Adalyn gained a new sense of independence.  "I need to go potty, bye" and she would head off on the trail to the bathroom.  "No, Adalyn, you need to take someone with you."  Or, when it was time for bed, and we would not lay down, she would calmly say, "Mom, I'm fine, goodnight."  As in, leave me alone - I'll go to bed when I want.

Caleb loved the outdoors and the scenery.  He didn't feel to good on the drive down and ran a fever that afternoon and night.  Wednesday, he woke up with his 3rd tooth poking through.

Shawn, got little work done, but spent great time with the family - for which we were very grateful for.  Hopefully it was a good little break for him.

Me, I had a wonderful time and would do it again tomorrow.  The only down side was that I lost my wedding band at the beach.  I didn't notice it was missing for a day - and so, by the time we went back to look, we had that crazy night of wind and others playing in the sand.  I'm so sad, but VERY thankful I didn't have my main diamond ring on.  :(  However, at church today, when we were in Relief Society, we had a great lesson from the book, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow and we were on Lesson 6: "Becoming Perfect before the Lord: 'A Little Better Day by Day'"  I had to set aside the sadness of losing my ring and remember the purpose of our lives here on earth.  There was a great quote that helped me realize and remember that my heart should be set on "things above"  It says, "There is no necessity for Latter-day Saints to worry over the things of this world. They will all pass away. Our hearts should be set on things above; to strive after that perfection which was in Christ Jesus, who was perfectly obedient in all things unto the Father, and so obtained His great exaltation and became a pattern unto His brethren. Why should we fret and worry over these temporal things when our destiny is so grand and glorious? If we will cleave unto the Lord, keep His commandments, pattern after His perfections and reach out unto the eternal realities of His heavenly kingdom, all will be well with us and we shall triumph and obtain the victory in the end.<sup>"

What a great quote and what a great way to put things into perspective.  I love the end, "If we will cleave unto the Lord, keep His commandments, pattern after His perfections and reach out unto the eternal realities of His heavenly kingdom, ALL WILL BE WELL WITH US and we shall triumph and obtain the victory in the end."  Doesn't that just make you want to be better every day and cleave unto the commandments of our loving Heavenly Father.  Of course, I can be sad about my ring and I will never have it again, but in an eternal perspective, it's okay - because, that's not what really matters.  What matters most, is what I still have - my beautiful family.  We had a wonderful time together - we laughed together and enjoyed each others company.  The second day we were there, Ali said at one point, "Mom, it is kind of better, without the TV and radio!"  Our of the mouths of little babes - my 4 year old, voluntarily recognizes and realizes the importance of unplugging and spending quality time together as a family.  Could I ask for anything better?

I love my family - I love the gospel - and I loved this little vacation.  It was just what I needed to rejuvenate and keep on pushing forward.  The Lord is ever mindful of our situation, our needs, our desires and our abilities.  He will bless us - and I look forward with eyes full of faith - anxious to see what our future holds!</sup>