Well, our last hurrah before school started was a trip down to the Florida Keys! It's quite the drive, but we stayed a full week and it was wonderful!! Even with a non-functioning pool (which was a real let down) we had an awesome time. Spent most of our days on the boat, lobstering, snorkeling, fishing, swimming, sun-bathing, snacking and enjoying everything about the warm Florida sunshine.
Upon arrival, this kiddo caught a baby iguana. There were several around our place.
Our first full day was Sunday so we drove down to Key West (about 25 minutes from Cudjoe Key) and attended church.
While we were down south we drove past the southernmost point and decided against waiting in line for a picture (it isn't even really the southernmost point). Instead, we headed back, had lunch and then took a leisure boat ride with all the kids.
Monday we headed out to lobster!! Didn't take long to hit our limit! The kids got all kinds of fancy with those lobsters. Yuck!
We fished that first afternoon but the seas were ROUGH!! The next day we lobstered some more... had more success and then hit a nice little sandbar to relax at for a little bit. Then enjoyed a nice dinner out. The girls looked so cute in their matching suits.
The third day the boys decided to get up early and go offshore fishing. The girls and the littles decided to sleep in and then just hit the beach. We went to Smather's Beach in Key West and it was fair. Maybe it was the red tide but it had a lot of stuff along the sand, it was mucky in the water and it smelled. The little ones enjoyed it but the older girls were ready to roll out after a couple hours.
We knew the boys would be out fishing for awhile so we hit an ice cream shop in Key West, ate chocolate covered Key Lime Pie and took pictures of the kids with mannequins at their request.
When the boys got back that evening they had caught a lot of fish!!! Daniel had fought what he was hoping was a fish of a lifetime for 3 hours. Ended up being a 10+ foot shark. Yikes!!
The next day we were back at it... lobstering and fishing. Probably our best day out on the boats. Daniel and I had an awesome time down on the 3rd lung and only came back to the boat because we couldn't fit any more lobster in our net. After we limited we found a honey-hole fishing spot and were pulling fish up at every cast. The water was calm, the weather was perfect and we just didn't want to leave!!
Love seeing those three little ones riding the Crewship.
Panoramic of the fishing escapades.
Sure enjoyed my late afternoon snuggles with Benny. The boat ride back put him to sleep every time.
Our last night we celebrated in Key West. Maddie and Shanda's birthdays! First stop at Kermit's for more chocolate dipped Key Lime Pie of every kind, then dinner, then ice cream for dessert.
Also fun to note... nighttime shenanigans with the whole crew. Always a good time.
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