Sunday was one of the only days we didn't see our boys at all. They had fun with the Ginders, doing various things like riding a golf cart around Gasparilla Island and going to the playground, etc.
And while I missed them like crazy, Sunday was probably my favorite day of the trip (not really a coincidence - we had some of the nicest weather, we didn't have to pack for going home yet, etc.)
I had originally said I'd like to check out a church down there, but once we got going in the morning, we decided to head toward the beach instead. We looked at a couple open houses along the way. My favorite house of the whole trip was in West Gate Bay or something like that (could have been West Palm something, too). The model home was open at $1.5 million and it was gorgeous! Then we looked at a private residence that was pretty ugly in layout and decor. The realtor there told us that she would love to show us another one for sale right down the street - she lived in the neighborhood and was extremely nice. The one down the street was beautiful and had never been lived in; the people had bought it speculating that prices would go up and since have plummeted. It was a 5 br, 4 ba house with a gorgeous screened in pool; and the amenities of the community were amazing with private beach access and restaurant, fitness center, playground, clubhouse, etc. Plus, a lot of folks there were younger, which was rare for Florida! We enjoyed the tour.
Next we looked at some cheaper condos on the lake in a different planned community, which were decorated very coastal and cute. They seemed small but perfect for a vacation home or starter home. The HOA fees were about the same, and they also featured the same type of fitness center, restaurant, movie theater, etc.
Then we were off to Fort Myers Beach, which we thought was truly awesome. While we had been to the gulf beaches before, we had never gone as far south as Fort Myers Beach. It was a good mix of a lot of younger folks and older generations. Some people had started on their spring break already, but the mix was nice. We didn't feel out of place whatsoever. The buildings were cute, and the sunshine was amazing. It was pretty chilly, though, with the wind off the gulf. So, we kept our sweatshirts on and walked in our flip-flops along the sand.
We ate lunch at a place called Pete's Parrot or Pirate's Parrot or something like that. It was in the absolute perfect location on the bay. We saw all the ships and got all the sun, but part of the building blocked all the wind. So, it felt like the most gorgeous weather possible. I ordered another shrimp wrap while Shawn got chicken fingers, and we basked in the sun. Afterward, we went for a walk to look at all the grandiose boats. Some of the smaller ones were for sale for a couple hundred thousand, so we couldn't imagine what the bigger ones must cost!!! At the end of the boat area was a real pirate ship (decorated to the nine's) that you could rent for birthday parties and what not. It was really cute. On the way up the little boardwalk, this bird came flying toward me and made this obnoxious sound. I screamed and jumped into Shawn's arms, who cracked up. The bird was as small as a canary once it landed, and it's 'tweet' was a lot louder than it's look. It didn't actually get me, but it scared me half to death and made good comedy for Shawn.
We drove around a little bit that afternoon, and I don't really remember what we did, truthfully. It was just nice to be together and not have any real responsibility like kids or jobs or anything to worry about.
While we were walking on the beach, Shawn tried to take a picture of us. A passer by noticed and offered to take a couple for us, which I thought was really nice.
Here's me & my love. Seven years ago on this date, we would have been getting ready for our rehearsal dinner around this time. Amazing how the time flies. Two houses and two kids later, I'm still madly in love with him. :)
My favorite part of the evening was eating dinner on top of the Lanai Kai Hotel. It was really tall, and the restaurant was outside the top floor. The eating area was these little swing sets. We weren't sure what the price would be, but we decided to try it and splurge for our special occasion. Shawn snapped a picture of me before our food came.
And I took one of the amazing view. It was gorgeous!
Then I took a couple pictures of my best friend, my husband. We talked about our trip and our life, etc. It was a fun time. And the restaurant wasn't pricey at all and served amazing food. It wasn't all seafood like some restaurants (which Shawn really doesn't like) and the service was good. We had a really nice dinner and a fantastic view.
We sat there after we had finished eating (yet another shrimp wrap - they were so good down there! and Shawn had pizza) just enjoying each other's company and the view. We could also hear the little beach bar below, and the DJ was playing some really good tunes.
There's just something about the sun over the ocean - God sure knows how to create beauty!
After we decided to leave the restaurant, we went down to the little beach bar, which was the most happening area of the whole town. Shawn got to hear the end of the US vs. Canada Olympic hockey game, and we both had a drink while we sat with our toes in the sand. I also highly enjoyed watching all those folks who were presumably drunk dancing away to the good music. We didn't hear a bad song the whole night! We eventually headed home since I was getting sleepy and a little chilly. We saw a guy in the elevator on the way up to our room who looked to be in his 90s tell me that the night was young. Haaa!!! I think I've officially gotten old. :) :) :)
The kids probably outlasted us that night. They enjoyed snacks in their jammies at Mamaw & Papaw's house. Caleb especially loved this little table and would go there often for Mamaw to give him a snack. It really is the perfect height for them. 
Caleb must have taken turns snuggling with the family at night. Here he is on Papaw's lap, followed by 'rock-a-by's' with Aunt "Ah-rky" as he lovingly called her.
But the true story of the weekend was how Joshua wouldn't leave Papaw's side. I think he must have worn him out - I thought this picture was precious of them sleeping together. :)
And thus ended our Sunday in the sunshine!
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