Florida Vacation - Day 5 and Wrap-up

Our last full day of vacation was July 4th. We started the day early and were at the beach before 9:00 am. We spent most of the morning at the beach and then went back to our hotel for lunch. After lunch, we took a quick trip over to Walmart to get some T-shirts and then we headed back to the hotel for naps before our evening of festivities. We drove over to Pier Park around 4:30 PM and had an early supper at Olive Garden (and got a good parking spot). Then we walked around, listened to live bands, and shopped until the fireworks show started at 9:00 PM. The fireworks show lasted about 20 minutes and was one of the best I have ever witnessed. After the show, it took us about an hour to get back to our hotel room even with the great parking spot. On Tuesday, we left Panama City Beach around 9:30 AM and made it home by 6:45 PM. It was definetely an awesome family vacation and we had a great time sharing it with the Edwards!

Josiah helping Neal dig a hole.

Josiah in the hole we dug.

Josiah trying to sweet talk Sarah out of her juice box.
Josiah, Sarah, Ella, and Emily getting their last beach time in.

Josiah watching the fireworks. He loves them!

Video of Josiah watching the fireworks.

Robin with Josiah on the Beach (from Day 2)

Neal with Josiah on the Beach (from Day - 2)

Florida Vacation - Day 4

Today had fewer events, but we still had plenty of fun. It also was a very tiring day. We took it easy this morning. We had breakfast, went to Target, and then had an early lunch. We then spent most of the afternoon on a boat cruise to Shell Island where we got to look for sea shells. On the ride back we got to see dolphins (part of the cruise). After this we were pretty much worn out so we did not do much besides a little swimming in the hotel swimming pool.

These sea gulls would fly up to the boat and get Cheetos out of your hand.

Josiah and Neal at the beginning of the boat ride.

Neal, Robin, and Josiah on the boat ride.

Michael, Stacy, Emily, Ella, and Sarah on the boat ride.

Josiah and Robin. Josiah was having a water break from shell hunting.

Josiah enjoyed the shell hunting.

Neal, Robin, and Josiah on Shell Island

Michael, Stacy, Emily, Ella, and Sarah on Shell Island

Dolphins beginning to surface.

Dolphins again...

Neal and Josiah looking for sea shells.

Neal trying to convince Josiah to run through the fountains.

Josiah finally started going through the fountains.

He really did enjoy them once he got use to them.

Some more swim time.

A video of Josiah at the fountains.

Josiah dancing to the music on the ride over to Shell Island

Florida Vacation - Day 3

Today was another great day of vacation. After breakfast we got ready early so we could get to the beach earlier. We got to the beach around 10:00 and stayed until around 1:00. We then headed back to the hotel so we could take some naps for a couple of hours. We then met the Edwards at Bayou Bill's Seafood Restaurant and had some great seafood. Josiah got to pet a baby alligator at the restaurant (actually we all did). He was a little unsure of touching the alligator and this may stem from his watching Swamp People on TV. After supper, we went back over to the Edwards' condo for some playtime on the playground and a few rounds of horse shoes. We also went down to the hotel tonight to let Josiah finally go to the pool. He has been eying the pool since we got here and we have not had a chance to take him. Below are some of the pictures from today.

Robin chaperoning the little love birds.

Josiah showing off for the ladies......

Neal and Josiah after venturing a little too far out into the surf. They got smacked by a huge wave and Josiah did not like it much.

Josiah having a good time at the playground.

He is like a little monkey and will climb anything.

Going down the slide to Neal!

Even Josiah knows a 10 is a high score.

Robin and Josiah having a mommy-son moment.

Neal showing off his near perfect horseshoe form against Michael and Emily.

Back at the hotel pool. Although Josiah was intrigued by the fountains, he did not want to venture into them.

Josiah and Neal taking a dip in the hotel pool.