• Our family getaway to Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, was the perfect escape we needed to unwind and recharge. It was a trip filled with relaxation, simple joys, and plenty of “doing nothing”—and we loved every minute of it.

    Each morning began slowly with a cup of coffee in hand, enjoying the calm of our peaceful rental. On our first morning, we were greeted by a special surprise—dolphins swimming right from our dock! It was the perfect start to what would be an incredibly relaxing vacation. After breakfast, we would pack some snacks and stroll to the beach, where the kids eagerly searched for seashells and jumped in the waves. Noah, Bodhi and Willow tried boogie boarding and had so much fun tackling the surf.

    Lunchtime meant walking back to our rental, where we’d jump into the heated pool and enjoy sandwiches while soaking up the sun. Leo loved the pool and enjoyed his time doing “swimming lessons” and diving for pool toys. Blake and I usually sneaked away for a peaceful afternoon kayak ride while the kids took a break, which gave us a chance to quietly appreciate the beauty of the area.

    After showers, we’d walk to a nearby restaurant for dinner. Seafood and fun drinks were at the top of everyone’s list, though Noah had a simpler request each night: a cheeseburger and ice cream. We couldn’t resist a few sunsets on the beach, and there was something magical about watching the sky change colors together.

    On our last day, we ventured out for a dolphin cruise and had a fun afternoon exploring the busier Clearwater Beach, where we shopped for souvenirs. But, honestly, we were all eager to return to our quiet rental, where we could relax without the crowds.

    Sometimes, the best vacations are the ones where you do the least, and this one was absolutely unforgettable.

  • Leo had an unforgettable 6th birthday this year, stretching the celebrations over a whole weekend! It all began on the 14th, when he kicked off the festivities by bringing donuts to school to share with his friends. That evening, he continued the fun with a birthday party at Allevity, surrounded by his best buddies: Kaiser, Theo, Gavin, Liam, Braxton, Bryson, John, and Axel. The excitement didn’t stop there—Leo was thrilled to have the “big boys,” Bodhi, Justin, and Hudson, there to help all the littles play laser tag!

    The theme of the party this year was Minions, and while some of his friends thought it was pretty silly, they all agreed it was a lot of fun.

    On Saturday, Leo woke up to the big day—his actual 6th birthday! He requested pancakes for breakfast and McDonald’s for lunch, a perfect way to start his special day. The family celebration was pretty wonderful and Leo opened a pile of fun presents. The three items at the top of his birthday wish list were the marshmallows from Lucky Charms, a model airplane or rocket, and a kite. We even got to take the kites outside and watch them soar in the afternoon sun, capping off the day in the best way possible.

    From donuts at school to laser tag with friends and a family celebration with presents and outdoor fun, it was a weekend Leo will always remember. Happy 6th birthday, Leo! 🎉🎈