Sunday, August 28, 2016

Orlando, Florida

Well, we did it!  We are experiencing Florida in the summer.  After spending the 4th of July in the Outer Banks, we headed to Thousand Trails Orlando for a spell!  Some of our traveling friends were here at the same time, so we were able to reconnect with some of our buddies!  There was fishing and kayaking at the lake for Braden. There were also two pools, the playground, Pokemon Go and Rec Center fun for both boys and their friends.  Bryan and I discovered the twisted game of Cards Against Humanity with four other FTF couples (and celebrated Louie's birthday!)  The boys experienced summer camp, SkyZone style and made some new friends and got tons of exercise!  Bryan and I were able to get back to our exercise routine (this park is really walking and biking friendly!)  Here's a little of what we did in Clermont...      

Summer in Florida means a great selection of campsites to choose from!

We loved our little slice of the Florida wilderness...until the ants invaded!

We discovered this deliciousness...Naan bread pizza (grilled with white sauce and mozzarella cheese)

All the things the boys love, all rolled into a week long camp! One of their FTF friends, Aidan, joined them for the week!  

Check out these fancy new socks!


Quick Meet and Greet at the Pool!  Summer in Florida means that the storms roll in just about the time you want to go to the pool :-)

Another view of our wooded campsite hideaway!


Our campsite in Section D of the campground is close to the lake... where the kids like to fish, where we can watch the sun set and watch fireworks that Disney puts off every night!

You never know when you're going to see a UFO!

They have hot air balloon rides just down the road in Orlando!

The resident alligator

Another view of the lake at the campground

The campground crew, fishing at dusk...

It was a beautiful moon....

Our FTF friends!  We enjoy spending time with this crew when our paths cross...and we make sure they cross often!!!

This picture makes me so happy!  Look at that face!!!!!
NEXT STOP....THE FLORIDA KEYS FOR MINI SEASON!!!!


Thursday, August 25, 2016

Outer Banks, NC

One of our favorite places to visit is the Outer Banks.  This was our next stop on the Thomas Family Road Trip... Outer Banks, here we come.... Wishing for FUN, SUN and SAND!!!



The beach is our happy place :-)

Our campground was just beyond the sand dunes...

Braden, age 14

Aaron, age 13



Picture perfect

Bully on the beach

He loves to frolic at the water's edge

Our little family Summer 2016

Happy, Happy

Our campground

My guys

So tickled by our new beach "cabana"!

We love that Bodie is welcome on the beach here in North Carolina!


Bodie is a salty, happy pooch!

He IS the lifeguard!

Baywatch?

Our campsite

We took the boys to see The Lost Colony in Manteo.  This outdoor play told the story of Sir Walter Raleigh's attempts to establish a permanent colony on Roanoke Island.

It was very educational and entertaining!

#summerschool







Our family LOVES ice cream!  Dairy Queen gives a free Pup Cup to the furry family members!  Let's just say we went to DQ more than once while we were in the Outer Banks! 

The good life

A little skimboarding

Bryan and I took our morning walks on the beach

The campground had a fun game room...Braden has always LOVED playing pool!

The retro video gaming duo!

My favorite fish at the NC Aquarium



Larry the Spiny Lobster

SHARK!

We could have watched the fish swim by all day...



The aquarium had a small sea turtle rehabilitation center that we toured... 



Soooo funny!  I though this was such a great picture and then I noticed the face Aaron was making :-)  He gets it from his mom!

Interesting...

The boys and I had to stop at Oregon Inlet to see all the boats...and to get Bry a t-shirt and new coffee mug!

Wishing he was fishing







Next Stop....Kenly, North Carolina to get our generator fixed!  

It was an expensive stay in a parking lot...but at least they had electric, a dump station, and most importantly - we were together!!!

Bodie and SpongeBob!!!  Ready to keep on rolling to Florida!