Florida in the Fall

This year we took our annual pilgrimage to Florida in the fall. My parents assured me that Florida was "cooler" in October. Um, I don't believe them! We had a great week with them in the hot sun though!

Sunset our first night in town

Saturday we went to Pensacola for their Seafood Festival.

Sunday we hung out by the pool after church. My goal was to be pruny from so much time in my favorite floaty - I succeeded.

During the week, Mom and I headed over to the Commons for some shopping in the golf cart.
They were all decked out for fall already!

We didn't spend a ton of time at the beach this trip, as the red time came in a few days and kept us coughing when we went down to the beach. The surf was also pretty strong a few days, making it challenging to stay upright in the water (and it was too hot to stay out of the water!).

We headed out on the boat in the middle of the week, cruised the Destin harbor, and then headed out west to paddle board and explore some intercostal waterways and islands.

The week was so relaxing and hanging out with my parents.

Saw a heron, while out shopping for dinner

Reading and relaxing (once I stabilized myself) in the hammock

Mom's bird of paradise blooming

Friday, we went for a leisurely ride and lunch in the neighborhoods of Watercolor and Seaside. They are such quaint towns!

That evening was Destin's Seafood Festival, so we had dinner in the harbor area, and walked around the festival afterwards.

Delicious fisherman's tea

Our last day in town, we went back out on the boat, and spent most of the day at Crab Island. I succeeded in becoming a prune again from so much time in the floaty - but I also succeeded in forgetting to reply sunscreen and got a bit sunburnt!

Andrew took a flight on a Searay floatplane!

Jelly fish!

It was a wonderful relaxing week with my folks, and we got out just in time to beat Hurricane Michael to the Florida panhandle. Thankfully, Michael missed Destin and my parents and their home were fine.

**All photography on this blog are property of the user.**

A Day in Lawrence

While in Kansas for my grandpa's funeral, we were able to take a day to explore Lawrence. Our first stop was the Booth Family Hall of Athletics (Kansas Jayhawks museum), which houses The DeBruce Center where the original rules of basketball reside. Dad and I were in heaven!

Dad and I with Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball

Dad and I with Phog Allen, the father of basketball coaching

After much Kansas Basketball history, we headed over to Freestate Brewing Company for lunch and to see Uncle George off. We walked around Massachusetts Avenue in downtown Lawrence for a bit, and then headed back to campus.

Freestate Brewing Company

Our first stop on campus was the Kansas Union, and the bookstore - we, uh, spent some money there... 😆

Hanging with a Jayhawk in front of the Kansas Union

Entrance to the bookstore = empty wallet for Amber...

Big Jay and I - he knows what's what, he drinks Pepsi products!

After the bookstore, we went to Oread Hotel and looked out on the area around Lawrence from the top of Mount Oread. It was a beautiful hot, sunny day! Then we drove around some sunflower farms and toured Eudora  bait more before heading back to our hotel for the night.

Remembering Grandpa Andy

Last month, my Grandpa Andy passed away. I was lucky enough to be able to fly down to Kansas for the funeral and spend some time with my dad's family.

The afternoon I flew in, a handful of us gathered for dinner near our hotel in Kansas City, MO.

My sister and I

The next day was the visitation, funeral and luncheon in Eudora. It was a nice time with family and friends remember Grandpa Andy.

After the visitation and burial, we walked over the the church hall for a nice luncheon.

Grandma Andy's memorial window in the church hall.

The Andersons

My parents, sister, uncle, and I

Siblings

Cousins

After the luncheon, and a quick tour of the town my dad grew up in, we all headed back to the hotel and spent some time looking through old family pictures. We then headed out to a big family dinner, while everyone was still in town.

Toasting Grandpa Andy

My cousins' kids hugging their Uncle Fireball

The next day we spent the day in nearby Lawrence, and we all headed home the next day. While we miss Grandpa Andy, we are happy he is with Grandma now - and that we were all able to spend some extra time together.