Florida, beaches, picnics, and summer fun!

Well, it is official - Shane has had his first airplane flight, his first vacation, and his first dip in the ocean! Florida was beautiful and Shane had a great time meeting his Uncle Jack and Aunt Tina! They spoiled him rotten with love and attention - not to mention the bag full of outfits Aunt Tina had waiting for him, the two lovies she got for Shane (one can be in the wash while one is being used), and the adorable monkey that hangs from Shane's car seat that Uncle Jack got for Shane at the zoo! However, the main reason for our visit was for Shane to meet his Great Aunt and Great Uncle. I grew up very close to my Great Aunts and Uncle and I did not have that many! Shane is blessed to have many Great Aunts and Uncles who adore him! He has his Aunt Joan on my side and on Dan's side he has Uncle Jack and Aunt Tina, Uncle Jerry and Aunt Geri, Uncle George and Aunt Marilyn, Aunt Bernadette, Aunt Margaret, and Aunt Sue. Almost everyone lives here, except for Uncle Jack and Aunt Tina in Florida and Uncle George and Aunt Marilyn in Arizona. We wanted Shane to have a chance to meet and bond with his out of town family so we planned the Florida trip. Dan and I are hoping we can make it out to Arizona soon!
Here is a photo of Shane with his Uncle Jack and Aunt Tina.

While in Florida we spent a lot of time swimming in Jack and Tina's pool - which was BEAUTIFUL!!! The water was warm and Shane loved it! They even had a rubber ducky that shane loved to watch floating around the pool.





Jack and Tina were AMAZING hosts! I felt like I was at Tina's cooking school! She prepared gourmet lunches and dinners every day and I watched and learned! I am making her salad already and will soon be making her filets! She is so fast and fun to watch in the kitchen! I got tons of ideas from her! Tina's good friend and neighbor, Michele, also made us delicious desserts and homemade lasagna! We were so spoiled! Jack and Tina also took us all around Naples and it is beautiful! On Tuesday we went to Marco Island and then spent time hanging out in the pool. On Wednesday we went to the Naples zoo which is small and allows for unique animal viewing! The primates all live on islands and they won't cross the water so no cages, gates or fences are used. You see the primates via boat. Here we are waiting to get on the boat! Look how cute Shane and his Uncle Jack look together! I am also including a picture of a lion laying right at the edge of his enclosure so you can see how intimate the zoo is!




On Thursday Aunt Tina watched Shane and Uncle Jack took Dan and I out on a boat. He is a member of a boat club and treated us to a day on the water! It was beautiful! He taught us the rules of the sea and showed us how the other half live!

Dan said he would buy me that house for my birthday! :-)
After the boat trip, Jack took us to his favorite place for a delicious burger, The Dock. It was yummy! It also allowed beautiful views of the water! Here is a photo of Dan and Jack at The Dock.

Meanwhile, back at the house, Tina and Shane spent a fun day together!

On Friday, we asked if we could go to the beach as we wanted to get Shane into the Gulf of Mexico. We went to Tiger Tail Beach and it was beautiful! When we got to the beach it just looked OK - nothing special. Then we started to notice people wading across the water - this was not on the ocean - it was an inlet and it was about 30 feet wide. After about the 50th person waded across, I sent Dan to investigate. He came back and said that they were waist high in water and that it did not matter where they were going because we had a stroller. However, the curiosity got to Dan and he asked the man who was renting out cabanas what was over there. The man said, "The Gulf of Mexico!" He offered to watch our stroller and we nervously carried Shane across the water to a path on the other side. Once we walked about 20 yards up the path we found ourselves on a beautiful white sand beach! It was so nice! The water was 85 degrees and so nice! We took Shane in and he had a ball! We were so concerned with applying and reapplying his sun block that I forgot to get my back and shoulders and I burned nicely! Shane, on the other hand, stayed lilly white! After the beach we went back to Jack and Tina's and relaxed. We went out to dinner that night. Here is a video and pictures of our adventure!







We had an amazing time in Florida and already miss Jack and Tina! Shane would start smiling as soon as he heard Tina's voice! We love them and thank them for a wonderful time!
We arrived home just in time for the Greenfield family picnic on Sunday. It was so nice to see everyone and introduce Shane to more family! Let me begin with a funny story. We had just arrived at the picnic and I wanted the camera to take pictures. I could not find it so I looked around for Dan, found him, and approached him. I put my hand on his shoulder - no matter what Geri says, I did not grab him - and said, "Hon, where is the camera?" Now you are probably wondering what is so funny about that? Well, nothing if it was Dan, but it was his cousin John. He said, "Me?????" You tell me, is there a resemblance? I don't think so!

In other picnic news, Shane hung out with Bill, Colleen, and Liam who so kindly stayed in our house to watch Thunder while we were in Florida. We are so happy that they were here! Shane really loves them all, but is so good for Bill!



Dan and Shane dressed alike for the event. Dan's shirt said, "I'm with the best son in the world." and Shane's said, "I'm with the best dad in the world."

When Shane started to fuss it was Uncle Jerry to the rescue! He had some rocking moves that calmed Shane right down and eventually put him to sleep!

Shane also hung out with his cousins Joey, Jack, and Sarah! Jack just started his first teaching job at a charter school in Chicago! We are so proud of him!!!!



When he was not hanging out with his cousins, or trying to steal Uncle Bob's beer (I guess he is a true Greenfield), he hung out with Grandma and Grandpa!


You may be wondering about that beer story. I guess it needs a bit more explanation. You see, Shane recognizes his bottle and lets us know he wants it by reaching for it and opening his mouth. He tried to do the same to Uncle Bob's beer. Thankfully, Uncle Bob did not give it to him! Besides begging everyone for beer, Shane also hung out with his cousin Margie - John's wife when he isn't married to me!

He also met his cousin, who is only 2 weeks older than him. He is Dan's cousin Jim's son.

After some time hanging with kids his age, Shane was back to hanging with the adults. He spent time with Dan's cousins Cathy and Kathy!


Before Shane went home for the night, he spent some time with his cousin Pat, a Cubs fan, so Shane felt right at home!

When it was time to go, Shane was unhappy! He let Aunt Sue know that he was not done having fun yet!

Next year Shane will be running around the picnic! It was a wonderful day! I am so glad that Dan's mom arranges it every year! Everything was great! The weather was perfect, the food was yummy, and the people were great!
On Monday we met up with Kristine and Connor for lunch! I forgot my camera, but Connor is getting cuter by the minute!
On Tuesday, Shane and I went to a Lap-sit class at the Joliet library with my new friend Cathy and Shane's new friend Alex. It was a lot of fun and Shane loved the songs! After class, we went for a nice walk in the preserve behind the library! Then, we met up with our dear friend Debbie at Oak Brook! Debbie's dad is very ill and we were so glad that she was able to take the time to meet up with us! She is a great friend!

Today is another busy day for us! We are off to Grandma Carolyn and Grandpa Bob's for a swim in their pool! Shane is a true water lover! Tomorrow, I will go to Jorie's school (they went to year round and she went back yesterday) to help her out! That is it for now!