My Weekend Florida Adventures

** So, I'm a bit overdue for a blog post...and by a bit overdue, I mean waaaaaaaay overdue! I know the weekend ended a few days ago, but this week has been very busy, to say the least! I am hoping to get back to blogging regularly and renew my love of writing! :) **

I was lucky enough to get a long weekend off from work to enjoy the b-e-a-UTIFUL Florida weather with my family! My parents recently bought a beautiful condo in southern Florida, and I am more than excited and thankful to call it my home away from home. I am so blessed and thankful to have such amazing parents who work incredibly hard to provide more than enough for our family, I don’t know what I’d do without their love and support!

Here is a brief recap of the awesome weekend!

Thursday started pretty early for me, and since I worked super late the night before, I was running on three hours of sleep and pretty tired! After landing in Florida, I met my parents at the airport and we immediately hit up one of my favorite stores to pick up some things for the new place: Marshall’s! I ended up getting two pairs of super cute, high waisted shorts, a belted maxi skirt (finally!!!), and a pair of brown gladiator-like sandals! I also tried these yummy blueberry rice-cake treats - gluten-free and vegan! I wasn’t sure what to think at first, but they are really yummy, and a great, healthy snack!

After getting the grand tour of the condo the fam and I hung out at the pool for a little bit, discussing potential afternoon plans, and what everyone wanted to do the next day. We ended up running out to do some extra errands at Bed Bath & Beyond, and ended with a yummy dinner at Bahama Breeze! Afterwards we spent some quality family time on the lanai at the condo! :)

On Friday we spent quite a bit of time at the beach on Captiva Island. I walked the shoreline for a while with my little brother and dad, picking up some cool shells along the way and admiring the turtle nests - from afar of course! After getting just enough sun (for a ginger), we drove to a nearby resort, where we were tourists for the afternoon on a wild manatee and dolphin spotting cruise.

The manatees had marks on their backs from being
hit by boaters going too fast in the canals.

IT WAS SO COOL!!

We saw a bunch of wild dolphins while out on the water, and spotted a few manatees while at the docks. It was so cool to see the wild dolphins so up close, and it was funny how they kept jumping and trying to splash us on the boat! The pod of dolphins that followed us had a calf (a baby dolphin) with them, it was cute how it was trying to jump as high as the others! 

I've always had a love for dolphins. Whenever we would go to the zoo near my home in Minnesota, I would spend as much time as I was allowed watching the dolphins. Becoming a dolphin trainer or marine biologist was my dream! I still love them, and I get overly excited any time I see them, preferably in the wild instead of in captivity. This occasion was definitely one where I wanted to squeal with the excitement level of a little girl! :)

After the cruise we went back home to hang out, have a few drinks and some leftovers for dinner. Afterwards, Michael and I ran to the nearby Coldstone Creamery (it's SO nice living close to the malls and little eateries, unlike where we live in Minnesota!), to grab some dessert for everyone!

Saturday was a bit more relaxed. I got to sleep in a little bit, then I waited for some furniture to be delivered while Mom, Dad, and Michael ran to the store to grab some things and take Michael to the doctor. After they returned, Mom, Dad and I ran out to check out the nearby mall, Coconut Point, and did a little bit of shopping. It is so much fun exploring the nearby area, it’s so different from back home in Minnesota, and to think that I could live here full-time if I water to!!

Sunday was pretty great as well. We started out the day by heading out to Ft. Myer's beach and bumming it in the sun. Afterwards, my parents dropped my little brother and I off at the airport with kisses and hugs to fly back to Minnesota. I had a ton of fun in Florida, and I can’t wait to go back for even more adventures!

How was your weekend?! Let me know

in the comments below! :)

<3 AnnaMarie