Tuesday, July 15, 2008

More Florida Photos

 We arrived home from Florida last night.  I just wanted to share some more photos from our trip.  This is Shannon on the sand bar we went to on Anna Maria Island.  She is looking for shells and sand dollars.
Sunset over the Gulf of Mexico, west coast of Florida

  We had a wonderful two weeks visiting with my sisters and their families that we don't get to see often enough.  We spent a fews days at Anna Maria Island before we came home, thanks to Tom's mom letting us use her condos there.  Thanks so much, Marilyn!  We enjoyed spending time there and being so close to the wonderful beach on the Gulf of Mexico.  The sand was white and felt like powder, and the girls were thrilled that they could actually find shells there.  We took a boat ride (photo above) to a sand bar,where we got out of the boat and found lots of sand dollars in the shallow, clear water.

Shannon and her cousin, Kylie.  They had a blast playing in the sand and water together.

Playing in the soft, white sand was a favorite thing for Shannon.  This sand never seemed to get hot the way it does here.  The water in the Gulf was nice and warm, for those of us used to the cold Pacific Ocean.  We spent hours in the water.

This bird would come almost all the way up to our sliding back door at the condo.  He was looking for a snack.   He let the kids get pretty close to him.  This is taken from the back door of the condo.

One of the nice things about this vacation for Kelly was not having to think about doctor appts. and chemo treatments.  Unfortunately, we are back home and back to real life.  She had labs today and has chemo tomorrow morning at the infusion center.  It was a nice three weeks off, which is the longest she has ever gone between chemo treatments.  

Kevin is also leaving again tomorrow morning for another two months in Hawaii with Marine Forces Pacific. We will miss him.  We were getting used to having him around.

Kelly, Megan and Shannon leave Sunday for Camp Ronald McDonald in our local mountains.  It is for Oncology patients and their siblings.  They are looking forward to a week of fun.  Kelly has met quite a few kids that are also cancer patients and have situations similar to hers.  But Megan and Shannon don't know too many friends that are dealing with sisters having cancer.  I hope this will be good for them to be with other kids who understand what they are dealing with.  When a child has cancer, it definitely affects the entire family, including the siblings.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

For some reason, Tuesday's pics didn't show up for me but I'll keep checking back. I just wanted to stop by to wish the girls a wonderful time at camp! Kelly, I hope everything goes well with your treatment today and that it's a "no bucket day" for you. Hugs!!

Gabby's Mom said...

Hi Kelly!

When I was younger we went to the Gulf side of Florida and I was fascinated that the water and sand were so different from the Ocean side. It was much prettier and I am happy to hear it still is so beautiful! I am so glad y'all had a nice time!

Hugs,

Pat

Anonymous said...

Hi Guys,

Welcome back home! We missed you very much. Chloe only has a few appointments left at CHOC before me make the final move to Oregon. I sure hope we can get together before we move in Aug. Loved all the vacation pictures...what a blast!! Nice to "see" your smiling faces!
Prayers & Luvs, Karla, Chloe and Family

Anonymous said...

Oh WHAT FUN!!
I had no idea you guys were updating the site. Everytime I thought of you.. I remembered you guys were in Florida having a BLAST! I am so glad to see the sunshine and water combined! We have been swimming and enjoying the sunshine here too! What a great summer!
I am glad you had fun and enjoyed the time away. And yes.. coming home and back to treatments does suck!
Have fun at camp!

Sending hugs to all the camping vacationers!
Amy... Kasey's mom

Aunt Jenny & Uncle Bob, Kylie and Ryan ie & Ryan said...

Hi Everyone!

The house is very quiet and empty feeling without all of you here! We miss all our cousins, Aunts and Uncles (and my sisters!) :)

Kelly, we've been thinking of you today as you go through your chemo treatment. Hope you didn't have to have any buckets nearby and you're back home nice and comfy!

I know you all will have a great time at camp! I imagine it will be beautiful and fun there!

We had such a great time with all of you! Think we should start planning our next big get together!

Love to all,

Aunt Jenny, Uncle Bob, Kylie and Ryan

Tracy said...

Hi Kelly & Kath!
Sure hope chemo goes super smooth today so you can start getting ready for camp! Emily is scrambling around here getting ready for her next trip - good thing too, otherwise she would be missing you guys even more! She is definitely going through cousin withdrawals! Jake misses hanging out with you too Kelly - you guys were great buddies!

I agree with Aunt Jenny - start the planning! Is it my turn this time?!

Lots of love & hugs!
Aunt Tracy

P.S. How did your sand dollars make the trip home??

Anonymous said...

Dear Kelly,

Florida and Ronald McDonald Camp? Wow.

My wife Kathy and I are going to Long Island tomorrow to see my mother and my nephew and his family. They are visiting my sister and her husband from Florida (they live near Tampa). We don't get to see them that often.

I had a call from a cousin in Ireland today. Can you guess what he pays for gas? He did the math, and it came to a staggering $12.00 a gallon! Yikes!

Have a good recovery from chemo.

Henry

Gabby's Mom said...

Hi Kelly - I have my days this week all screwed up. Sorry for not writing yesterday. I hope chemo went better than it has and that there were no buckets. I am sure you, Megan and Shannon will all enjoy camp!

Hugs,

pat

Catalina Eddy said...

Aloha!
I hope you all reinforce the lessons that Uncle Bob taught you in Florida. You can become professional card players and support the family. Keep practicing.
Love,
Catalina Eddy

Gabby's Mom said...

Kelly, Megan and Shannon - I know you must really miss your Dad; it is a shame when he is home he does not post comments everyday because he is very very funny! Enjoy camp and Kathy, you will really be at loose ends!

Hugs,

pat

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great trip... and a week at camp should be a blast... weather looks to be good, and you can't beat that fresh mountain air!

Glad to hear everyone had a great time - Kevin to Hawaii?? oh poor baby what a horrible place to go.. :-) Hope he has fun and returns quickly and safely!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great trip... and a week at camp should be a blast... weather looks to be good, and you can't beat that fresh mountain air!

Glad to hear everyone had a great time - Kevin to Hawaii?? oh poor baby what a horrible place to go.. :-) Hope he has fun and returns quickly and safely!

Tracy said...

Have a wonderful time at Camp Ronald McDonald girls!! Can't wait to hear all about it! Kath, I hope you can enjoy time for yourself and not just miss everyone and all that you're used to doing for them!

Love & hugs!
Aunt Tracy