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!!

Day # 5 -- Beach Day

 Morning coffee and Ben with his breakfast on the patio, enjoying the morning sun

 another gorgeous day at the beach

 our sand sculptors hard at work

Matanzas Inlet

 Gramma and Kate on the ferry

We had some extra time before our ferry ride out to the Fort to enjoy a little nature hike and our picnic lunch. 

Day#6 Tuesday - Fort Matanzas

 Officer's quarters - very cool to see how they lived and slept while in the Fort.

Had a great day exploring Fort Matanzas. Matanzas Inlet was the scene of crucial events in Spanish colonial history. The massacre of French soldiers here in 1565 was Spain's opening move in establishing a colony in Florida.  The construction of Fort Matanzas in 1740-42 was Spain's last effort to ward off British encroachments on St. Augustine. 

Last Day -- Ice Cream and Bingo

 The ice cream at Cone heads is delicious and we stop here almost as much as we do the putt-putt golf course! 

 Favorite flavors this year were the captain's butterscotch for Kate and birthday cake for Ben

 We all had a GREAT time playing bingo at the community center with Papa, Gramma and their friends for our last night. We played 10 different games, watching 3 cards each game. It was so fun and Gramma even won $30!

What a fabulous week of family time we had. It was so relaxing.....yes, even with all of the driving (Doug was a rock star)!! Dick and Celie (Papa and Gramma) are the most gracious hosts and we LOVE the time that we have gotten to spend in Florida with them......priceless memories!!  Love you both and thank-you so much for all of your hospitality  ~~ XOXOXOX

Visitors for the weekend

 Ben and Brooks

Miss Scarlett

 Nanny, Kate, Ben and Papa Suhr

Papa, Nanny, Aunt Wendi and our four legged cousins (Scarlett and Brooks) all came to visit this weekend. Ben of course was in "dog heaven". We had such a great time and the weather was amazing for the first weekend in March.  We kept them entertained with Ben's indoor soccer match, state basketball games, the school carnival (which we were very lucky winners at -- YIPPEE!!) and then church on Sunday morning before they all headed back to Nebraska. We LOVED having them here, thanks for coming over everyone, and Aunt Wendi -we will get your picture next time, I promise (not sure how you got out of that one  (-;  )

Ash Wednesday

As a family we decided to participate in the "HUNGER CHALLENGE" with Kate's confirmation class. The kids were given the option of purchasing the Meal that we packaged, eating it for dinner after they had fasted all day to remind them of the sacrifice that God has given up for us.  Doug, Kate and I all prayed about it and during the day, said verses to keep us strong (even though our tummies were growling -- but such a great reflection on how easily we take for granted the plentiful amount of food that we have available for us) We ate our meal, and then attended Ash Wednesday services together that evening..."Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return".

we needed a separate picture of our photographer (and the photo bomber in the back -- real funny Kate! )