And so....

We are here in Florida. Sally's back was out, and so we postponed that part of our trip to the end of the vacation-- post-Germany, which will actually work out well, as we will get to meet Jean and her family. For now, we are at Canal Drive, where we have had a relaxing very three days (despite Kevin's fever and trip to the Urgent Care for antibiotics), and we move into our rental today at 4.

So far, we have done a bit of beaching--one day where the kids body boarded with their new friend, Daniel from Devonshire, England, and another where they build castles in the sand due to a riptide and red flags on the beach. Last night, we did the Winghouse (?- but honestly, a delicious buffalo chicken sandwich was had by Patrick) and then today we did Perkins breakfast, a bit of shopping and then to Borders and the farmers' market in Sarasota. Andrew and Gabby come in tonight.

AND...most of exciting of all....we booked tickets last night to take the kids to Ireland at the end of the summer after summer camp and before school starts! The round trip tickets for the 4 of us came only to $1800 and so the time felt right. It is very exciting and a lot of absorb....just bought 2 Ireland tour books to read on this vacation, which is before and after my German mini- vacation.....wow! I am truly blessed. And very adventurous. :)