TWO weeks ago today: Bradenton

Before we began the Disney part of our Florida trip, we spent some time with my Auntie Ann in Bradenton. We had a wonderful visit with her and met her new guy, "Mr. Ray." (That's what my girls called him anyway- and boy, did he charm them! Although I think the feeling might have been mutual!)

Ann took great care of us. She gave the girls Disney Princess dolls for bathtime- you can see them in some of the pictures below. She has a beautiful home perfect for company, and she fed us very well! In fact, when we left, she sent so many groceries with us that we didn't need to buy anything but milk when we got to our condo in Orlando. Sunday morning she made the girls her famous Mickey Mouse pancakes (okay, Daddy & I ate one too). I took a picture of them, but it must have been with my mom's camera. I'll share one of these days...

After breakfast, we all loaded up and drove about fifteen minutes to the beach.

Even though it was cooler than normal in Florida, sometimes you just have to get some sand between your toes.

Big Sister even wanted to get her toes wet.

She ended up with wet pants, but never complained about being cold. Or about her Elton John sunglasses. On the way home from the beach I bought her some Jasmine shades at CVS. She wore them to Epcot and no one has seen them since. But these purple & pink beauties have been around for years. We can't even lose them on purpose...

Little Sister enjoyed finding shells

And then throwing them. Since it was so windy, this was just a little dangerous.

But cute.

It was nice to just listen to the waves and the gulls and watch my girls enjoying themselves.

The beach is the best therapy I know. Just looking at these pictures makes me happy and relaxed.

If only it were closer.