Memorial Day Weekend Family News

We had a week of fun recently.

Bonnie, Patrick, and Ellie stayed with us for a few days.

Bright and early on May 22nd, Patrick performed a piano piece at the Sacred Music Florida competition.

At lunch, we explored the Gaylord Palms Resort. This photo is under the waterfall. When we turned the corner, gators and turtles were sunning in a pond. Ellie talked about the turtles for two days.

The next day, Bonnie went to a homeschool convention with Ellie. Patrick went with Mike in the morning to the JESUS Film Project tour. In the afternoon, he had fun with Mike’s old Spirograph set.

On Saturday, we headed to Jacksonville to be with all the family. On Sunday, we went to the children’s church service to hear Patrick give the sermon for the kids. Patrick has said since he was very small that he wants to be a pastor.

On Memorial Day, we were celebrating Ben’s 40^th birthday. We drove up to Fernandina Beach, Florida, and took a boat tour with Amelia River Cruises.

On the boat trip, we saw Fort Clinch, quite a few dolphins, and wild horses on Cumberland Island in Georgia. I’ve ALWAYS wanted to see these horses!

On the way back, the captain said we were motoring through a significant breeding area for hammerhead sharks. He then asked the kids on board if they wanted to “pilot the boat through shark-infested waters.” They all lined up. The oldest five (of Ben’s six kids) had a turn.

Back on shore, we briefly explored the quaint downtown shops.

Tuesday morning, we celebrated Adriana’s 10th birthday before heading home. (In June, Patrick will be 13.)

It was a busy and fun time celebrating milestones.