Venice, Florida

 We were lucky enough to score an amazing vacation thanks to Leia's, my sis in law, family.  Her mom and dad bought a sweet home in Venice, Florida and asked if we wanted to borrow it.  It was a perfect house and close to a lot of fun places to visit.  We hit every beach in the area, went to the pool and met up with old friends and family.  It was a pretty easy, laid back vacation.

The cute little house

A drink in Siesta Key

The house had toys all over.  Emma was psyched.

Checking out the Florida gators in Myaaka State Park

Grady caught a Gopher Tortoise

Grady is really into fish right now.  We found a cool "mom and pop" fish shop.

Josh's dad drove down to see us.  Orlando was only 2 hours away.  He stayed for a few night and let Josh and I go out.  It was awesome.

Sushi Nachos.  They were delicious.

Next to the house was a YMCA.  We are members at home so we could go and use the pool.  Every. Single. Day.  They even had a diving board which kept the kids busy.

Josh getting into the action.

Grady

Myles

Siesta Key. The sand was white and the water clear.

Emma made friends with the Racket ball coach at the Y.  She got two free lessons that week.

Emma ran into this plant every time she walked into the house.  She told me to tell Cindy and Dan to "put police tape around it".

The neighborhood had no shortage of parks/playgrounds

Shark Tooth's beach

Myaaka State Park

We went to a horrible road side zoo that was called a "sanctuary".  I was horrified and we didn't stay long.  Never, never visit the "Big Cat Sanctuary".  It was one of the saddest thing ever.  Gross.

Look at all the sharks teeth we found.

We met up with Jenny, one of my besties from high school.  It was so much fun to catch up and let our kids play.

While Emma chased grasshoppers

Mackenzie

The boys

Emma's racketball coach gave us some fresh fish her friend caught.

The trees were amazing.  Over all, it was a great vacation.