We've been back since late Saturday night.. but I am just now feeling like I am "recovered" from the whirlwind four day adventure.  It was awesome.  I am so thankful that we got to spend Thanksgiving with family.  Being in the military, it isn't always possible... and I am completely aware of that and grateful.

Wednesday night when Rob got off work at noon we rolled out... decided we would take the back roads until just crossing into Florida.  Which was a fun little adventure.  Some podunk little towns, old fashioned gas stations and tons of car passing later we made it to Florida and the interstate.  My cell phone battery was happy... my husband was happy for the three lanes of traffic!  However we did meet up with some crazy butt drivers that we were not too impressed with.  I mean, who are you trying to kill?  By 8 we were in Tampa!  Which is actually pretty early.. but when you are headed to a campground on an air force base, the nighttime routine is a smidge different.  As in they go to bed by 8!  It was dead.  Weird... we walked around for a bit which included walking the beach by moonlight.  I'm jealous of Rob's grandparents who get to be near that bit of gorgeous EVERYDAY.  By 10 we were exhausted and headed to our own little trailer they rented for the time we were there.

Traveling in style.. we lost the suction cups to the radar detector, so masking tape it was!

Thursday started off bright and early as Rob was off to golf with his grandpa and uncle and I was headed over to help as much as possible with the feast preparations.  Some mimosas, Puerto Rican music and talking later everyone was arriving for the festivities.  Considering the majority of the meal was cooked in a camper kitchen, we had a fabulous oversized meal of turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, deviled eggs and coleslaw.  I was impressed.. so was everyone else.. Rob's grandparents, uncle, neighbor friends and grandmother's nephew and girlfriend.  It was a party.  Drinking, dancing, talking.  Then the sun went down and it got chilly (hey Florida, you aren't supposed to get cold!  Or so this Kansas native thought...) and we moved the party indoors.  It was such a great relaxing day that I wouldn't trade for the world.

Rob's grandparents camper!

The view from in front of their camper.... the beach is right there at the end of the road.

The beach on Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving day sunset.  That's St. Petersburg in the distance.

Friday we started off early again as we were headed out to sight see.  Drove past some amazing houses including Jill Kelley's (as in the one in the current scandal!), drove through downtown, drove across the bay some.  Stopped for some awesome pictures.  Headed out to St. Petersburg where we ate lunch on the beach.  Which was great minus the crazy ocean birds trying to steal food like crazy!  Terrifying.  I was scared senseless seeing as how in Kansas you just have to worry about flies!  Still an experience.. especially when you can see the water.. stingrays swimming off the shore and the sun is shining.  After lunch we went to the pier.  Some shopping, more pictures and walking later we were headed back for a break at the campground.  Who knew sight seeing could be so exhausting?!  I napped.. some TV was watched then we got ready to head out to Tampa for the evening.  Wow, downtown Tampa sure delivered.  We were pointed to this cool little bar district (reminiscent of Westport if you are a KC friend of mine!) and there were TONS of people.  All kinds of people too... we went to a few bars. Finally ended up shutting one of the bars down. The bartender was so nice.. and she's an ex-military wife!  So since I was the DD I had someone to talk to that understood!  Was so fun.. finally headed home about 3.  Rob and his uncle had a great time drinking and I had a great time hanging out with them.  It was a late night though.. and ended just a little bit messy, so we were all ready for bed by the time we got back around 4.  Which hello, that's what time little retired military people get up!  What?!  Unheard of!

Where we stopped for pictures during the day.

The view from where we ate lunch at.

Picture time = OVER. :D

Before heading out to downtown Tampa.

Saturday we got up and cleaned and checked out of the camper.  Then went and got some lunch before heading out.  We had a very important stop to make in Macon as my husband was NEEDING to go to Bass Pro.  Or so you'd think there was a need the way he talked. ;) About 9 we left Macon, GA and we were home by 11.. completely exhausted.

Leaving MacDill Air Force Base.

But I love the fact that we got to spend Thanksgiving with family in Florida.  Although it was drastically different than the Thanksgiving I am used to in Western Kansas, it was fabulous.

Plus we had 4 almost 5 days off from the dogs. ;) Not that I am counting or anything!

Hope everyone had a fabulous holiday weekend as well!!!

We've been back since late Saturday night.. but I am just now feeling like I am "recovered" from the whirlwind four day advent...

We've escaped for a few days to Tampa to see Rob's grandparents and uncle for this special holiday.  I know we are extremely fortunate to have family within decent driving distance to spend time with, especially with the military.  We plan on eating a lot, watching football and taking in Florida.  Somewhere I've never been.

Some things I am thankful for...
... my husband being as motivated as he is to go far in life.
... my amazing soft oversized bed.
... the roof over my head.
... the opportunity to go to school and get an education.
... to know what love is.
... my right to vote.
... America, the land of the free.
... to know what warm feels like.. and have the luxury of heat.
... full days in the middle of the week spent with my husband.
... gorgeous weather, to include 70 plus degrees in the middle of November.
... veterans.. past, present and future.
... my own motivation to clean and maintain our awesome house.
... the wonderful people that make up the blog world.
... cards.. Christmas, birthday, anniversary.. cards rule y'all.
... being a leftie with awesome handwriting!
... being able to laugh and wrestle with my husband, my best friend.
... our ability to spoil others with love, presents and random acts of kindness.
... good weekends with my sweet sweet boys.
... my amazing friends from Kansas... I'm seriously lucky.
... my family. Both near and far.
... my boys.. my fur babies.. my little cuddlers.
and last but not least...
... my amazing husband.  Without him.. I'd be lost.

We've escaped for a few days to Tampa to see Rob's grandparents and uncle for this special holiday.  I know we are extremely fortuna...