Atkinson Family Life: Spring Break 2013

We just got home from a really fun and special Spring Break in Florida. My parents moved to The Villages, FL in November so this was our first chance to go visit them and see their new place! We drove to Florida and it was a loooooooong trip, but the boys were champs and we had approximately 50 DVD’s (seriously) to keep them entertained for hours and hours.

Quick break at Cracker Barrel, enjoying the rocking chairs.

Our first stop was Chattanooga, TN and we made it just in time to see the Buckeyes win their game. All four of us sleeping in the same room proved to be interesting, but eventually we all fell asleep. ;) The next morning we were up early to finish the trip. Chris was a road warrior and he only let me drive for a few hours (most of which were stop and go construction) so I think I contributed about 30-40 miles of driving to the entire trip.

A chilly 37 when we left Chattanooga, and a warm 73 when we crossed the Florida line. Not bad for a day’s drive!

Once we crossed into Florida the air was warm and we joined the masses to sample some free orange juice, stretch our legs, and use the restrooms at the Florida welcome center.

A few hours later and we arrived in The Villages, Florida!!

Somehow we pulled in about 10 minutes before my sister and her family who had flown. Good timing!! The kids all wanted to check out Papa’s golf cart right away.

We spent the next few days just enjoying the GORGEOUS weather, swimming in the pools, riding around in golf carts, eating out, shopping, playing at Nana and Papa’s house, celebrating Easter, a day trip to the ocean, and even a Gator boat tour. It was SO much fun, the weather was perfect, and it was just really great to see my parent’s new home and see their cute town!

First Stop: Lake Sumter Village Square for shopping, eating, and walking around…

My nieces are the world’s best ‘big cousins’ – they have four little boy cousins and they are SO patient with them; always willing to play with them, help out, or give a lift!

The guys hanging out on a bench while us girls did a little shopping.

Checking out the boardwalk, and thankfully NOT spotting any gators… yet.

We were SO SO SO blessed with great weather. It has been cool in Florida this spring, but the temperatures heated up for us and it was sunshine and blue skies for our time in the Villages.

Nana and Papa with some of their grandkids!

Chris and Asher heading to the pool…

Nana and the boys in Lake Sumter Square

The Villages is a golf retirement community so there are golf carts everywhere. Some people get pretty fancy ones, too. We had fun checking them out!

Our favorite!! How cool is that??

Easter was the first Sunday we were in The Villages so the kids had fun searching for eggs outside in short sleeves. I could totally handle Easter and Palm Trees every year!!

We all got to join my mom and dad at their church. It’s a church with just retirees, so there “is” a nursery – but no one actually works in it, or puts children in it… it’s just a physical room. We made it through the music with the boys, but Jesse was getting restless so we snuck out before the Pastor started preaching. We met back up with everyone for yummy Easter brunch back at my parents and another relaxing day in paradise.