Another first: Florida

I said a month ago I would post some pictures soon.  A month counts as soon right?

A couple of weeks ago Brent had a couple of days off school.  Since our time here in the south is coming to a close (more on that later...hopefully sooner than a month) we decided we wanted to go somewhere we hadn't been yet around here.  On Wednesday night we decided we would go to the panhandle of Florida, and right after school on Thursday we took off. This is not like us (or me to be more correct). We are boring, stay at home, save money kind of people.  But for some reason we did it and are so happy we did.  We built some great memories as a family. 

We started off by driving to Biloxi, MS and sight seeing around there.  Our first time to the Gulf of Mexico.  It threw us off a little when we realized we were still in Mississippi.  It was not like the part of Mississippi we love and are used to.  You know, there were things like stores there and nice houses too.  Yeah, Target and an outlet mall.  Happy day. 

The next day we drove to Panama City Beach, Florida.  Florida was one of just a few states that I haven't been to.  Brent and I got to cross a new state off our list together for a change.  Before our adventures in the south Brent had only been to a handful of states.  He is now turning out to be quite the world traveler.

Well I realize I am now dragging on. To keep it short from here.  We camped out...In a tent.  Apparently people don't camp in tents in the south.  They thought we were crazy. 

We swam a lot. The beaches were beautiful. The sand felt like powdered sugar. The waves were a little bit strange.  They were very small and didn't roll in in sets like they do in California, but were still powerful.

Elsie loved the beach.  Or she just loved finding all the little things in the sand and putting them in her mouth.  Lovely.  She wasn't quite so keen on going in the water though.  We are working on that.

This girl loved the water.  She has asked me if we can go to the beach almost everyday since.  Good thing we have a trip to California on the schedule for the summer. I can't wait until Elsie is old enough to play with her and keep her entertained so she doesn't have to try to steal toys from all the random people at the beach anymore.

On Sunday we visited one of Brent's mission companions and his wife and son. Her family owns a cattle ranch so we got to spend some time feeding the cattle and getting to know more about cattle weaning.  Funny as it sounds, it kind of made me want to own a cattle ranch.  Perhaps someday,. but probably not. Brinley was in love with their son.  She is a hand holder and he would hold her hand and drag her along.  She was in bliss.

And of course we saw an alligator.  You can't go to Florida without trying to see an alligator.  Brinley named her alli.  This poor little gator was missing a leg. Yet another thing Brinley asks for everyday.  "See alligator mom!"

I apologize if I dragged on.  I blame it on a mix between eating a bag of plantain chips and watching the firm.  We will see if this blogging thing becomes a habit.