Florida book reviews...

We just spent a lot of time in the car. A lot. This meant that between not feeling well and having been married for almost a decade, we needed something to do besides speak to each other. HA! :) We decided to listen to a couple of audiobooks courteously provided via free download from my local library (I love technology). We picked the books mainly based on which one was available for download that instant. 

Jackson's favorite book of the trip

Chelsea Handler was seriously funny and we laughed our butts off. There were some uncomfortable part of the books (she's really obsessed with little people), but overall this is a good read and I'd recommend it. Jackson thought it was just hilarious and deemed it great- that's a huge deal coming from a non-reader!

Was the author in prison or were we?!

We've all heard about this NetFlix series OITNB so we thought the book might be good, too. We were so wrong. We slugged our way through this novel with the hopes that eventually it would improve. It did not. I have no idea how someone read this and turned it into a successful television show, but bravo to them for making something from nothing. We could not have been happier when this book finally ended. Don't bother with this one. Zzzzz...

My favorite of the trip

Confession: I have been on a little comedy streak recently reading Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Mindy Kaling's first book all in recent months. I was excited to see that Mindy had a new book out already even though her first book was my least favorite of this genre. This book was far better than her first and it made me laugh so hard quite a few times. It was more of a chick book than I had anticipated but Jackson still really enjoyed it. This one is certainly worth a read!

Recovering in Naples

Since we basically used our time in Naples as recovery time from the flu, not much exciting happened. It will only get one blog post because we were boring and I don't want to deal with explaining just how boring and lazy we were. :)

A gecko got in the condo and caused quite the stir.
Not pictured: me laughing my butt off

My Christmas surprise for Jackson: Garrett popcorn
delivered fresh from Chicago!

Our boat forgot us for sunset*
*Not really.

A gorgeous sunset

Mack got to join us for dinner at the Cove on the patio
She loved it.

"FOOD!" -MacK

Sitting like a good girl with Jackson- waiting for table scraps

MacKenzie finally got an actual walk one day

Another sunset

This child was terrorizing her family during their
attempt at beach photos
HILARIOUS

FINE- we watched a lot of sunsets.

The view looking up from our beach chairs...not bad!

Jackson braving the cold water for a swim

THE CUTEST DOG EVER

Outdoor Christmas Eve church service

Pretending to feel well enough to be in public

Ok, so the service was a little...different. We still enjoyed it.

3,000 people with candles

It was a pretty cool sight!

MacKenzie helping open stockings

MacKenzie VERY interested in her new treats!

"This is for me, Grammy?!"

Jackson amped about his gifts

Grammy got a new hairdryer! 

The goods and the puppy!

We brought a bike down for Susie and Jackson
"helped" her get going

Little Susie without training wheels!

My Christmas spot: Sun, sand and a great book = WIN

Gorgeous view from my Christmas spot

Jackson out for another dip

MacKenzie playing ball on Christmas

Jackson grilling our Christmas steaks

Christmas dinner!

Though we did not feel well for much of the week, we did get some serious beach time in and for that we are grateful. Thank you to Susie for hosting us! We made the drive back without incident and got home Sunday evening around 6 p.m. This week is back to work and reality for us. Tear.

Roadtrip!

A nasty flu wasn't going to keep us from vacation so we headed out on Friday with plenty of prescriptions and tissues at the ready. We made it to Franklin, Tennessee before calling it a night. The hotel we stayed in allowed pups and MacKenzie even got her own little bed. Lovely.

Pretty girl with a nice bed

Keeping sick poppa company

We went to bed early and tried to fit off Jackson's illness that way. It didn't work. We kept the road trip going anyway.

Dreaming of Space Camp

We stopped at the world's coolest rest stop in Alabama. I've loved this place since I was a little girl on trips to and from Florida with my family. One day I'll be there because I'm on my way to Space Camp. I believe. I believe.

Anyway, we continued our winding road trip so that we could visit the University of Alabama's campus in Tuscaloosa. We were impressed to see that the cemetery across the street from the stadium was the final resting place for some very serious fans.

Rest in peace, fans

Rama Jama's
A local legend

Get down on it!

We ate at the famed "Rama Jama" just to have the whole experience. It was not an impressive stop in my opinion, but it was my first experience with fried green tomatoes. Jackson thought the burger he ordered was pretty good.

The stadium was so small ;)

Nick Saban statue is a must!

We hung around campus for a bit exploring then stopped at the bookstore before getting back on the road. The campus was incredible really. I was beyond impressed. Generally state schools do not do it for me. This one did. We had another 5-6 hours on the road to our stop for the night in Tallahassee. Ugh. We saw more of rural Alabama than I ever cared to, honestly. We made one interesting stop at a gas station in Southern Alabama, but other than that there was no real excitement.

Another hotel bed

The next morning we quickly toured Florida State's campus since we were in town and root for hard for them during football season with our friend Kortnee.

Chief Osceola 

This was the coolest monument!

MacKenzie with her pop

It was too early for any bookstores to be open so we just popped around campus on a self-guided tour before getting back on the road to Naples.

No trip to Florida is complete without a stop at Sonny's BBQ

We made a quick stop for lunch at my favorite place and then kept going down I-75. 

"ARE WE THERE YET?!" -MacKenzie

We finally made it around 3 on Sunday afternoon. We were exhausted, I was now sick and we never wanted to see a car again. We made it, though. Hooray! We chilled for a bit and then got cleaned up and headed to the beach for sunset.

MacKenzie's first beach sunset

MacKenzie had never been to the beach before and she was just not sure about it. The sound of the waves coming in was just a little too much for her.

MacKenzie running from the waves

Lovely sunset

It was so nice to be at the beach, but we were both sick and exhausted so our stay was short.

MacKenzie made herself at home

We are looking forward to a quiet week of sun and sand.