Dave always has the time between Christmas and New Years off so we decided that since I also was able to get the time off we would go to Florida. We left (with all the other snowbirds) the day after Christmas and drove half way to Atlanta. We were not certain how Brody would do in the car for such a long travel time so we decided to split the drive up between two days. We both were shocked at how well he traveled and we really couldn't have asked him to be much better.
In Atlanta on day two of our adventure we had breakfast and then spent the early part of the day visiting the Atlanta Children's Museum. Brody had a great time and tuckered out and napped for the first part of our second leg of the drive.
We finally arrived at the condo in Jacksonville by 8pm, where we met up with Nana and Clark. We spent that evening nursing Brody who had a fevers and eventually just went to bed.
Our first day we were blessed with really warm weather and actually were able to swim in the heated pool at the beach clubhouse. Brody loved playing with the other kids on the steps of the pool and ridding his bike around the beach deck.
The next few days we made a trip to the zoo and we played on the beach. Dave and I were really excited to take Brody to the zoo but the day we decided to go he didn't feel so well and it turned out to be a pretty miserable time for all. He spent most of that day sleeping in the stroller or crying. The few other days we had were we played in the beach were much better. The ocean was pretty chilly so we stayed out of the water but he loved exploring all around the beach club. We played with sea shells, built sand castles, and enjoyed yummy food while watching the waves crash into the beach.
Dave's best friend from grade school lives 15 min from my parents condo so we always visit him and his fiance while we are in town. They took us to a local hole in the wall diner/bar where we had the most amazing fresh catch dinner. We always have such a blast with them and we are very much looking forward to their wedding this June. A special thanks goes out to Nana and Clark for keeping Brody in one of his bad attitude days so we could spend the evening with them.
I guess I should also mention that while in Florida Dave and I "celebrated" our 9 year wedding anniversary. We spent that evening watching a movie with my parents. It's always a difficult time to have yet another celebration coming right after the Holidays. The day often gets overlooked.
The trip was a huge success and a perfect way to end the year. I believe that we are going to make it a new tradition.
