Spring Break trip day # 1

 staying entertained watching a movie - I have no idea why one looks happier than the other??

 a little foggy as we were leaving O'Fallon,  IL Thursday morning

 Welcome to Kentucky

 downtown Nashville, TN

 loved the spontaneous waterfalls that just come down the side of those beautiful Appalachian Mountain ranges

the Ohio River

To change things up a bit, we decided to drive to Florida for Spring Break this year. I must admit, I was a bit apprehensive about how we would all do in the car for the 20+ hour road trip, but it went very well! We were able to leave on Wednesday after the kids got out of school and drove to O'Fallon, IL for the first night (knocking 5 hours off of our trip already). Thursday our goal was to make it to Chattanooga, TN to be able to take in a few sites before dark. On our way there we drove through downtown Nashville, the kids loved seeing how much the terrain changes from the Midwest into the Southeastern mountains. Beautiful country!

Look out Mountain

 Family road trip "selfie"

 Ben's glass bottle coke souvenir

 the Tennessee River winding thru Chattanooga

 lookout Mountain "family selfie"

Ruby Falls

various stalactites and stalagmites

 the light show of the falls

It was very close, narrow quarters on our walk through look-out mountain to Ruby falls but we made it and it was beautiful!  The falls measure at 145 feet tall, and the power and sound coming from the water was remarkable. We were not able to head up to the top of lookout mountain due to the rain that started, but we did have a fun evening enjoying dinner at a local pizzeria (Mr. T's), plus ice cream for dessert and then went back to the hotel to cheer our ISU cyclones onto another basketball tournament victory -- YEAH!!!

Day#2 - Florida here we come!

As soon as we arrived we headed to the beach.  Kate thought the water was a bit chilly at first, but then they both got into a rhythm with the boogie boards.

 the first sand art had to be for our CYCLONES -- GO STATE!!

The rest of our drive went smoothly besides minor slowdowns with the CRAZY traffic in Atlanta and rain off and on the in the morning.   A fun surprise at the hotel that morning was when we ran into one of my powerlife girls (Dayna) and her family at the hotel. They were driving to Florida also, what a small world!!  Leaving Chattanooga that morning, it was 50 degrees and we enjoyed a warm up to 86' when we arrived at Papa and Gramma Cairney's condo. around 4:30 Friday afternoon. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and I was anxious to see the ocean so we headed straight for the beach. Celie made a wonderful pasta meal that evening and we ended the night watching more Iowa State Men's basketball -- another win!

Putt-Putt of course.....almost EVERY DAY!!

 Immediately, Kate and Ben began asking "When can we go to Fiesta Falls?" and we managed to go there almost every day. They love to challenge Gramma Cairney and she beat them almost every time! 

 Proud of their many hole in ones

Day # 3 - Saturday

Papa and Kate - relaxing and watching some basketball

Beautiful Saturday morning here in Florida. While the kids slept in, I went to the Farmer's Market with Celie and her friend Jan, then spent the afternoon enjoying the sunshine at the beach...a little too long for me (my poor little feet paid the price for sun exposure ---- they got a little toasted )-;  ) I was so concerned about getting enough sunscreen on the kiddo's, I forgot about my feet.....typical Mom right??  We played shuffle board that afternoon, watched more basketball, took the kids to the park to play baseball and basketball, and of course, went to Fiesta Falls....AGAIN!

Sunrise

I could never tire of these beatiful sunrises -- so majestic ~~ God is an AMAZING ARTIST!!!

Day #4 Sunday ~ fun day

 Ben helping Gramma make waffles

 a shuffle board showdown

 showing off our friend Larry's starfish....it is so rare and amazing!  16" wide with 9 arms

 Miss Kate

A nice relaxing Sunday. Our day began with Mass and the kids were even treated to donuts after ( it truly is the little things in life (-;  )  then some beach time, putt-putt golf, a trip to the ice cream shop, and watching the NCAA selection show that night. Wonderful day..........appreciating our many blessings!!