Our Florida Getaway

Last week, Greta and I were able to take a last minute vacation to Tampa/Clearwater for 4 days complete with Mama and Papa Ward and Mom and Dad Renstrom. We stayed at Chip and Sharon's, Adam's aunt and uncle's beautiful house in Clearwater and seriously had the BEST time. Mimi and Papa Renstrom, Adam's grandparents on the Renstrom side, live in Tampa and we were able to visit them for a couple of days also. Everything worked out so perfectly and Greta did better than expected on her 4th plane trip. How bad could it be in first class? That's right ladies and gentlemen, I said first class. :)Our first day, G and I hung out on our own with a little walk through the neighborhood and a cut-through to Walmart. Mama and Papa Ward and Mom R. drove down and met us in FL Monday afternoon.Trees like this are everywhere. I love how spooky they look with all of that moss.

Ahhhh, life is good!She just looks so GQ (girl version) in this picture.


Here's lookin' at you kid.Tuesday, we went for a walk in downtown Clearwater over this big beautiful new bridge. It was so windy, but such a pretty walk.Gal Pal hates to be strapped into anything so being the nice mom I am, I let her dangle dangerously out of the stroller. :) I actually didn't realize Greta was THIS reclined. I'm always afraid she'll slip right out under the tray as you can see why...Much better!Mama and Papa were such a HUGE help to me last week. They took every opportunity to relieve my arms and hold Greta when she was being fragile or fussy.In fact, all four of the above were my baby-sitters during the week. I took naps, read magazines, rode in first class.... :)Now, if you get a little starstruck like me then you will appreciate what I'm about to tell you. To the right, in the brighter patch of green grass is Hulk Hogan's property where he lives. Kyle, Adam's cousin is friends with their neighbor's to the left. Mom R., Sharon and I extended our walk a little bit further and came back to find this. Looks cozy doesn't it?G and Mama just enjoying the view.Since it was a bit windy, Greta's headband turned into an ear muff. It looked like a sweatband and with her bright neon colors and ankle socks, she reminded me a bit of Richard Simmons. David and Emily got her that shirt last summer which I did love on her though.The view of downtown Clearwater behind us Later that day, Greta was able to meet her great-grandparents, Mimi and Papa Renstrom, for the first time.

Greta and her Papa Renstrom playing pat-a-cake.

My favorite part of their house were the fruit trees in their backyard. They had a grapefruit tree and 2 orange trees.Greta under the grapefruit treeQuality controlWe picked and picked to our heart's content. Actually, I think I would've picked them bare if I could've but Mimi and Papa like to share with their neighbors and so we left a few for them. :)G did a little picking herself.The next morning we drank fresh squeezed orange and grapefruit juice. It was heavenly.I love this pic.


On Wednesday we all got some Harly rides on Chip's new ride. He and I went out for about an hour and he took me to the exact place where Adam proposed to me! Honeymoon Island. It was so neat, I called Adam from the beach. I only got a picture with my cell phone camera as I didn't have my other camera with me.
You could often find sweet Papa and Greta like this throughout the week. Greta loves her Papa Ward.
She also loved her Harley ride too. :) That was about as close as she got. We also went to this very cool town, Tarpon Springs, Wednesday afternoon. It's an old Greek community where they make their money from a natural sponge industry. They have divers that go deep down to get all sorts of sea sponges for cleaning, decorations, washing your face, etc. We had the best time going in and out of all the little shops and enjoyed an authentic Greek meal for lunch.Greta got a little sunbonnet from Tarpon Springs. She used it for her poolside read of The Night Before Christmas. :)
Knowing how she does NOT like her carseat, Sharon and Mama and Papa Ward bought Greta a little monkey that plays a song. It was our "secret weapon" to keep her occupied. That and of course an all-time favorite....the cellphone. They also bought her this adorable Grecian dress for our beach vacation this summer. We picked out a purple one for Bennett.
Thursday afternoon, before we flew out, the whole gang got together for lunch including Bruce and Valerie, Adam's aunt and uncle on the Renstrom side. They were in town for a few days and we were so happy to be able to cross paths with them. I had met them once before and this was Greta's first time to meet them.Here is Greta with her little Alabama jumper on posing with her favorite Alabama people.