Visit with Grandma Pauline

KC's Grandma Pauline had hip surgery in June, and KC's mom came to stay for a week- so we made the trip down to see them.  (We probably should have been unpacking boxes, but that can wait for another time!)  Jake's back had been bothering him last week, but he was able to make the 2.5 hour drive down to Cape Coral.

Grandma Pauline's recovery was amazing.  She was up and moving around already.  We were able to catch up, and have some good conversations.  For dinner, we grilled steaks on a gas grill- something we haven't done since we were in MN!   They were delicious (as was the cheese sauce KC's mom made to go with it).

Saturday night Grandma Pauline went to bed early, and we went for a swim in her pool.  Then, KC's mom cut her hair to fix a botched job from rushing in to an unknown Great Clips for a trim.  It's a lot better now!  We also spent time reviewing genealogy information on KC's grandpa's side.  The information goes back seven generations!

Pool and view

Lovely outdoor living area

Sunday we ate breakfast, read the newspaper in English, and chatted.  It was so nice to see Grandma Pauline, KC's mom and Bella.

Sorry Grandma Pauline- I couldn't take out your compression stockings- that would have cut out Bella! 

This bridge is something we'll never get used to on our trips to Cape Coral- it's a free roller coaster ride on our drive! ;)

4th of July Weekend

We got our last shipment of boxes from the post office.  Every box made it, and in much better condition than when we shipped  in December.  Moral of the story: Don't ship things during the Christmas rush!

The unpacking has started, but will probably be a slow, gradual process over the next few weeks...

We tried Moe's Southwest Grill...  Ehh...  Not too impressed.  Sort of like Chipotle with a salsa bar, but Chipotle is better.   (Or we're biased because that's what we're used to.)

Another Florida factoid: It rains every day in the summer.  At some point, a cloud or two will turn into rain- and not light rain, a downpour!

Count on it to rain when you need to bring in a load of groceries, or really any time you need to walk between two buildings outside...

Jake just a little wet

Friday night we attended our first Clearwater Threshers game.  The game was slow (only 3 runs scored), and it was VERY humid, but we helped set the Threshers attendance record at 9,996.

After the game, there was an awesome firework show set to music to celebrate the fourth.  It was the best firework show we have ever seen! :) 

Below are some pictures of the Cove Cay grounds where we're staying.  The complex is fairly large, and has a golf course in it.

Our holiday weekend had another "bang" besides the fireworks- Jake's toe...  Not fun!

Florida: Week 1

Week One Florida Facts

• It's the little things we're enjoying about Florida...  Running this baby for the first time was awesome!  Thank goodness for dishwashers!

• Target!  Oh, how we missed you in Puerto Rico...  Kmart just didn't compare.  Especially when the super Target now has fruits and veggies.  We bought a lot of veggies just because they were there, organic, and easily accessible!

• Our first trip to Publix.  Seriously, we have so much shopping within a ten minute drive- sometimes it's a little overwhelming...

• Our second trip to the USPS.  Only one shipment of boxes left!  It's so much easier to get these boxes into our place with an elevator!  In Puerto Rico we had to carry everything up three flights of stairs.

First Floridian Weekend

Friday morning we checked out a few different condos.  Then, we went to lunch at Papa's BBQ.  The line was out the door!  Jake had been there before, and they're so popular that they sell out every day!  We were happy to be surrounded by English, and also got food.   So, it was a win!

Line out the door

After lunch, we got a P.O. Box, and picked up our first shipment of boxes.  We barely fit them all into the rental car, but managed to, and then brought them up to our hotel room.  Things were a little tight!

We decided on the first condo, so we called the realtor and filled out all the paperwork.  They called us back a few hours later, so we went and got the key.  We were so tired we stayed in the hotel one more night.

Saturday we moved in.  A few pictures of our new place are below.

Master bedroom

Guest bedroom

Living room and porch

View from the porch

Our suitcases, and a few boxes

 After moving in we went food shopping! :)  We were able to go to three places, and make it home in a few hours.  Never ever would we be able to do that in Puerto Rico!  We soaked up the convenience and talking with everyone.  KC was able to shop her little organic heart out!!

For dinner, we loved our Chipotle!  Chipotle was the one restaurant we really missed going to in Puerto Rico.  We're thankful to have all of these places within our reach!

Sunday we had haircuts, and stopped at Starbucks for a treat!  It was a busy weekend, but we accomplished a lot!