Florida Vacation - Part III - Days 1 & 2 - Clearwater Beach, FL

Being that we are due with Baby #2 in mid-July, we decided to take our family vacation this year a bit earlier than usual.  And since we had SO MUCH FUN last year on the one day we spent at Disney, we thought it would be a great idea to combine our family vacation and do a semi-Big Sister trip for Kate at the most magical place on Earth!  And just that we did!

Initially we were planning on headed to Disney for the entire vacation, but the hotel we were staying at was booked for the first two nights, so we decided to head down to the gulf coast and stay in Clearwater for the first two days!  Mary and Tom, Brian's parents, joined us on our vacation this year and we started the trip on Saturday, April 18th.

We met Mary and Tom at the airport and flew down to Tampa, FL together.  We then rented a car and drove to Clearwater Beach, FL where we stayed at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort on Saturday and Sunday.  We fit in pool time, beach time (of which I should mention Kate is NOT a huge fan of at the moment...she said the water was too scary...), more pool time, and got ready for our trip to Disney!

(I'll have to admit that Disney was on the top of all of our lists, so while we were excited to be in Florida together, we were REALLY excited to head to Disney soon!)

At the airport and ready to board!

The Hendu 3.5 getting in some pool time!

Kate loved playing in the pool!  It's been a while since we've seen or
felt temperatures this warm!

An attempt at a family photo...  #twothirdscounts

Jumping into the pool from the ledge!  One of the
highlights at the pool!

Kate loved being able to run from our room right next
door to Mimi and Papaw's room!  Here she is on their
side goofing off with Papaw!

Our attempt at the beach.  I mean, I think we were there
for 15 minutes.  I think...

Daddy and Kate test the waters!

Mimi and Papaw!

My heart.  (I believe she was explaining to me why
she wanted to go back to the pool and leave the beach.)

No family vacation is complete without a stop for
ice cream!

In Kate's world, no DAY is complete without a stop
for ice cream!

Just taking a little bite from Papaw!

All in all, we enjoyed being at Clearwater.  I would say the overall attitude was that everything was 'ok'.  And by, 'ok', I mean we were all extremely excited to be on vacation, in Florida, with warm temperatures, beach-y sands, and pools.  The hotel was a bit outdated and old, but it was a place to sleep.  And had we not compared it to the hotel we stayed at just a couple nights later at Disney, it would've fit the bill for what a hotel really serves.

Next up, Disney!