Vacation {part 1}

Are you ready for vacation post after vacation post? Well, get ready because I have lots to tell you about!!

Let's start at the beginning: in my mind vacation started as soon as I left work on Friday, March 16th...BUT technically we did not leave until 3:30am on Saturday the 17th. We spent Friday evening packing and doing last minute things around the house. I enjoyed it because I sometimes like the anticipation of vacation more than the actually vacation-does that make sense? Anyways, I was getting excited and wasn't sure if I would be able to sleep that night. We went to be pretty late but we both did get some shut eye. Thankfully!

The drive south was easy...especially for me since Stephen drove the entire way (he is the best husband ever, by the way!). Louie slept in his kennel while it was dark out and moved to my lap a little after breakfast. Stephen and I both agreed that he was excellent in the car. I am such a worrier sometimes and I was worried about him being off schedule; you know with eating and drinking. Thankfully he did not seem too bothered by the change in routine and did great!

Here are some pictures from our long (16.5 hour) drive to Florida:

As long as he was in his bed, kennel or on my lap he was a happy puppy.

 He slept A LOT!

Driving through the mountains in Tennessee is so pretty. It always makes me think of a vacation I took in Jr. High with my Grandma and Grandpa...good memories!

Potty and stretch break...it's been long day already at this point!

This is my "we are almost there and I am SO ready" face. You gotta love it!

We had great weather for driving, but we did drive through a few rain showers. Nothing serious or bad though, which was nice. Stephen spotted this rainbow when we were pretty close to our destination and it was beautiful. I don't know that I have ever seen a rainbow so bright or been able to photograph it. So pretty!

When we arrived at my Grandma's house practically the whole family was there waiting for us with Sonny's BBQ for dinner. Oh.My.Yum! Let me just say that I LOVE Sonny's and almost all BBQ for that matter. Indiana really needs to jump on the BBQ bandwagon. It was a delicious dinner that we really appreciated! After dinner and later that night we made our first run to Rita's Ice too. It was so yummy...I would not mind if Indiana jumped onto that bandwagon either...nope, no complains here!

Sunday we slept in a bit to make up for the long day before. We went to Stephen's favorite place for breakfast- Honey Bee's Cafe. Gram had never been there before so she enjoyed it as well! Honey Bee's is similar to an older place that closed down years ago in Orange Park called the Sisters Tea Room. I believe it is owned by the same family and I know they use many of the same recipes. If you ever get a chance to go there you must order their chocolate peanut butter pie! I promise it's to die for!

That's a little piece of heaven right there....YUM!

After breakfast we spent some time and money shopping, which I loved! Shopping with Gram isn't something I get to do often so it was a treat. I think she liked it too, even though she told us to take her back home since she didn't want to "hold us back" by making us push her around. Nonsense, Gram! We had a great day together!

For dinner we went to MoJo's BBQ with some other family members. I know I might offend some family members when I say this, but...I think I like MoJo's better than Sonny's! (gasp!!!) It was so good!

Stephen, Me and Danny (cousin & single ladies!)

The BEST BBQ Turkey Salad!

Naomi (cousin), Me & Gram

After dinner we ran to Wal-Mart for a couple necessities. Since I ate so much at dinner it was nice to walk it off! We ended up getting the few things we needed plus a Keurig for my Grandma as an early Mother's Day present. She was SO excited and really enjoyed her coffee the next morning! We benefited from this purchase as well because we really enjoyed our coffee too!

Stay tuned for Part 2...it should publish tomorrow.

Until then...goodbye!