Sarasota, Florida

This is a taste of our trip to Sarasota, Florida. Daniel's Brother and sister-in-law live there, so we took a trip to visit them and the ocean. Ben LOVED the ocean. The loved to pick up sand and shells and throw them into the water. He would chase the waves when they would go out and run away when they came back up on the shore! A little old lady gave him this special shell and he promptly threw in back into the water, so I put it away for later. He loved his shovel and bucket. He would put sand in and out and had a ball. I put on sun block, but somehow I still got burned. Daniel did too, but I still have some of it left today! Saturday was the day we went to the save-the-sea birds. It is a n organization that takes in wounded birds and nurses them back to health. I guess people can be mean and hurt the birds down there. Ben loved the birds and was non stop making the sign for bird and squealing. For dinner we all went to The Old Salty Dog. It was featured on the travel channels "Man vs Food". We all ordered a salty dog, except for Sarah my sister in law-she got a burger. It was really good! It is a deep fried hot dog with all the trimmings. Very good! THe next day we rented beach cruiser bikes and a buggy for Ben and we rode around Siesta Key beach (the #2 beach in the U.S.-Hawaii is #1). I totally want one now! Then it started to rain so Ben, Daniel, and I went to the Mote aquarium. He loved it and had so much fun looking at fishes. Monday it was raining again so we went shopping in a circle called St. Armands. It had such great stores and wonderful things to see! Later that day the boys went to the beach - but it was way too busy for us girls and Ben, so we went back to St. Armands and ate Italian Gelato. Yummy! I had Hazelnut. Tuesday we went to Oscar Scherer State Park. Ben had so much fun playing with sticks and looking at nature. Then we went and checked out Matthew and Sarah's new house and a friends house that is gorgeous! I had so much fun in Florida and we can't wait to go back!