Dear Santa, We Are in St Augustine.

The thing with this family is we have a hard time staying in our own zip code for too long.  A few weekends before the big guy was scheduled to arrive we took a short drive to St Augustine for two nights of sun, sand and twinkle lights to help us get into the holiday spirit.  I find it incredible how long the girls can be entertained with sand and shells without ever having to step foot into the water.  We spent two days building sand castles, finding all kinds of wild life and truly just enjoying each others company.  This trip also reminded me that Grant reads way too much useless information on the internet, because his sea life trivia skills were pretty good or at least he knew enough to make him look good when it came to teaching the girls a few science tips.

 There had to be evening activities too, unfortunately for Penelope that meant actually wearing a coat while sitting in a carseat which did not go over well.  Yet another way to identify my true Florida girls.

 The timing of our weekend lined up perfectly with seeing the boat parade and being able to spend time with some of our favorite friends.  Thank goodness we were there as a group because I don't think this crew would have found the Holly Jolly Trolley all that jolly after our two hour wait.

I wouldn't give up our weekends away for anything in the world especially when it includes sand and these sweet little faces.  

Yes, we were all on the beach in our pajamas that morning.

We Love the Jags

Just because our team can't seem to win doesn't mean it will stop us from going to the game.  I'm not sure if Adelaide or Grant gets the most enjoyment out of the day.  P wasn't real interested in the day until all of the cheerleaders started playing with her and wanting to take pictures with her. 

Jacksonville made some crazy additions to the stadium this year including swimming pools and the biggest jumbotron you can find.  I'm still not sure who wants to be on a jumbotron in their bathing suit, but that's just me.  

Mayor Alvin Brown

Mom, you are interrupting the game.  

Ho Ho Ho and Away We Go

Fleming Island is a town that has mastered spreading the holiday spirit, every time we turned around Santa seemed to be there.  It didn't matter if you were trying to buy a can of paint or going to the gym there he was again.  Thankfully the girls seem to be content with the explanation that all of these Santas were helpers and that we can never meet the real Santa or else his magic might go away.  Tis the season for stretching the truth.

Home Depot Santa

Wish list shopping for P.

When I was a kid one of my favorite Christmas traditions was when my Aunt Jackie would take me to a live nativity where we would drink hot chocolate and then drive around and look at the Christmas lights.  Lets just say that the live nativity scenes aren't the same anymore.  Christ Church puts on an incredible tour of Bethlehem which includes live animals, a petting zoo and most importantly we were able to see the magnificent Ms. Stacy sing and there was time to run around with our friends.

Oh these two.

Ms. Stacy s in there somewhere.

 Just when one day ends you wake up to another festival.  A few hours of train rides, bounce houses, an Elsa sighting, games, snacks, photo booths and of course another Santa sighting.