If you live in the Midwest, I don't need to tell you - it's chilly.

Luckily, we didn't get as much snow as "they" were calling for.  (what do "they" know anyway?)

It has been windy.  It's got a nasty bite.

My dog, the only one I am claiming today, didn't want to go out this morning...or this afternoon.

She finally caved, knowing she didn't want to relieve herself on her new, pretty bed...but that is another story.

We have been lucky to have mild days the last two weeks - filled with sunshine even.  All of that came to an end yesterday.

We knew it would.

A couple of months ago, my two oldest and I went to Florida for a family wedding.

It was beautiful.

Today I was looking at some of the pictures I captured on my phone while we were there

and decided that was where I was going to let my mind go today.

 

 

To say my kids were excited to see the beach was an understatement.  This little beach at Boca Grande was our own beach during our stay.  We only had to share...and I use that word lightly...with a woman laying out, reading a book one day.  It was wonderful.

 

Can we get in?????

 

 

I almost forgot we shared the beach for a moment with two other friends.

 

 

There is something wonderful about dogs in water that love the water.  There is a sense that they can't contain themselves to stay away from getting in for one second longer than necessary.

 

My kids thought it was cool.  We only get to see dogs in water when we fill the kiddie pool in the summer time and our dogs get in to cool off.

 

 

On our last day at the beach, we also shared our cove with these dainty birds.  They wet their feet as they pecked for food at the shore.  It looked as though some rain was going to roll in.

 

We decided to get off the beach before we were rained on, and hurried to the local ice cream shop before they closed.

I think it was there that I got one of my favorite photos of the whole trip.

 

 

Oh my!  Are those genuine smiles?  They are!

I am not sure if I have a photo where my kids look like they are having a better time than what I captured here.

 

Now as I get ready to turn in for the night, I hope to have dreams of warm days to be had.

 

Happy Weekend!

Stay warm out there!