April Showers...

If April showers bring May Flowers, then what do April SNOW showers bring?

............

............

The answer?

Crabby people!

As I looked out my window this morning, I was hoping that the meteorologist on last night's news broadcast would be incorrect.  Unfortunately my wishful thinking was just that... wishful thinking.  The alarm went off at 4:40 and I crawled out of bed, got dressed and ready to go to the health club.  I was looking forward to starting my day with a good hard run.  I bounded down the stairs and looked out the foyer window.  Much to my dismay, the ground was covered with white stuff.  You know that word that turns into a 4 letter word somewhere mid winter ~ SNOW.   There it was just sitting on the lawn, glistening beneath the street lamps.  The side walks don't need to be shoveled, but they are quite slippery.  The clincher, we are expected to get another 3-5 inches on top of that today.

So, since the weather is cloudy, gloomy and cold, I thought it would be a good day to share some vacation pictures and details.  So sit back, relax and jump on a virtual plane to Florida with me.....

Months ago 5 families (including mine) began planning for a big, group spring break trip.  We all have kids of similar ages ~ so between all of us, there were 10 adults and 12 kids between the ages of 4-12.  We all had our own condo's on St. Pete Beach.  It was so nice to get away!

Here is a little (or big ~ as in lots of pictures!) snapshot for you:

First time on the beach after arriving

It was cool and foggy, but that didn't stop the kids from checking out the water

Another cool, foggy day on the beach ~ shell seeking, sand castle making and fun was still to be had!

The big girls and little girls walking back to the condo after some beach side dining

The next day we headed to Clearwater to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium

For those of you that don't know, this is the Aquarium where Winter the dolphin, from the movie 

"A Dolphin's Tale" makes her home.  Much of the movie was filmed at the actual aquarium so it was fun to wander around.

Different dolphin tail prosthetics

"Winter"

Watching "Hope" the dolphin

The following day was the day for Bush Gardens.  Unfortunately I stayed back at the condo with a sick little girl ~ I think she threw up 10 times throughout the night and more during the day.  So our day looked mostly like this

but we snuck out for about 10 minutes to collect some shells, then retreated back to the condo to relax some more.

The following day we snuck in a baseball game.  While the game was good and we both of the teams that played were two of our favorites, the highlight of the day had to be when this group of high school boys (all of the ones in the fluorescent tank tops).

Stood up, turned around and sang "Happy Birthday" to Sassy (her birthday was the following day and I asked one of her friends to ask them to sing as throughout the game they would sing random songs ~ they actually sang "Lips of an Angel" by Hinder to the left fielder!  They were quite entertaining!  And as you can see, Sassy was quite embarrassed :)

Besides Parasailing

(That's Me on the Left and Sassy on the Right)

(Action is on the right)

and a bit of shopping aka, goofing off

Much of our time was spent enjoying the pool and the beach ~ morning, noon and night.  We saw the most beautiful sunsets, had a wonderful time and made many fantastic memories!

And now, I sit and await more snow.........

Come on Mother Nature ~ cooperate :)