Florida. Easter. Grannie Annie's 80th!

Off to Florida we went, meeting up with all the family over Easter weekend, to celebrate my Grannie Annie's 80th birthday!!!

It was a long ride to get to Val P Florida... Flight #1 from Denver to Atlanta. A couple hour layover and dinner @ Chili's. Flight #2 from Atlanta to Pensacola. Gathering the luggage and rental before the one hour drive over the hill and thru the woods to Grandma's.

We rolled in really late... half an hour after Cooper falls asleep, he wakes up wheezing and barely breathing.... trip to the ER it was. One breathing treatment, two steroid shots, three very unneccessary chest xrays, and several endless hours later.... we made it to bed at 4am.

It was croup.

Although it was a long day and restless night, we started off the next morning by boat, and it was grand!

Unfortunately, Cooper was exhausted. Fortunately his croup symptoms were gone. One good nap later, and he was back on track.

Captain. In his element.

Right about here, dad was trying to convince me to make my seagull call.... once upon a time, it was a talent of mine. But once upon a time was a lifetime ago, and I feared I'd lost it....So I didn't gamble the embarrassment. Sorry dad :)

It's a bird. It's a plane. It's John-John!

Yep. Still tired. But getting Gma love.

Eventually, the elements of beach, water and throwing sand put Cooper back into his playful groove.

Yep. I was there!

You'll notice none of my family opted to pack their swimsuits....




My big brother is such a good dad.

Girl's daddy? or Daddy's girl? Which came first, I wonder?

Yep. Girl's daddy :)

My other brother :)

uncle love....

Bags. Shoes. ... Baby.

We celebrated Easter with a traditional easter egg hunt for the kiddos.... florida sytle.

Poppy somehow only "found" the pink ones.

Cooper ate his candy as he went.

Jackie... going for the eggs John threw on the beach. Clever.

...the easter candy goodness...... mom ate most of it ;)

Rested and dressed.... it was time to celebrate 80 years! Family photos first...

Grannie Annie and her three sons.

... and their spawn...

.... and the spawn's others....

(only missing cousin Amelia and Aunt Jeannette)

sister. nephew.

"Poppy. Hug your cousins..."

"Daddy. What is their deal?!"

OK~ Grannie Annie!!!!!

Stunning. Beautiful. My Favorite.

And her incredible tasteful elegant private fancy dinner put together and organized by the incredible tasteful knows-whats-he's-doing Uncle Scott...

@ one of my Grannie Annie's favorite restaurants.

(yes. I'm aware you can't read the menu. sorry... blame it on the low light)

Toast to all things wonderful about her.

Yep. I tried some of that! Chalk one up on Jessie's brave board :)

A gift.

A treasure box FILLED with scrolls of written memories and messages of love.

.... laughs and tears filled the room.

Several of us each took our turn reading some of them to her.

Fantastic night! Fantastic trip!!

*

Yep. Fantastic pair of redheads!!!

I love you Grannie Annie!