Our Vero Beach Vacation

Our vacation to Vero Beach was perfect! We had such a great time and were able to relax and just enjoy our time as a family.

We stayed at the Disney Vacation Club resort. This was our second time there. The last time we were here, in 2009, it rained all week long! We had much better weather this time.

We checked in on Saturday afternoon and went straight to the pool. There was a little pirate ship toddler play area, but Michael preferred the the big pool and the big water slide. 

Pirate Ship Fun!

Michael loved the Big Slide! He rode it more than any of us!

The ocean was way too rough for Michael to play in, but he loved to look at the ocean, and watch the big waves.

 We ate some wonderful meals on vacation. On Sunday morning we went to brunch buffer and we all ate our fill. On Monday evening was the pirate dinner with Goofy and Donald. Michael loved the characters from a distance, but once they got close, he got really shy. Of course, he does that with people he knows too. 

 We ate off property one night at Squid Lips. It was really good food, with a great view!

Saturday morning was Goofy's Breakfast buffet with Goofy and Donald.

We didn't do anything too exciting on vacation. It was just nice to get away and relax for 8 days!

Michael loved the playground!
He also loved the alligator and shark 

Mommy and Michael by the pool, Michael in front of the
DVC Resorts sign, Sunset at Squid Lips, Sun Rise over the Ocean,
Daddy and Michael in the pool

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Vacation - Day 8

We woke up Saturday to more rain, which made it a lot easier to leave. We were checked out and the car was loaded by 10:15. We walked around the resort a little bit more, and then we were on the road by 10:30. We were meeting my friend, Kathleen, for Brunch at 11:00. She lives in Palm Bay, Florida, which is only about 20 miles from our resort. We would have met with her a lot sooner in the week, but she was in Boston looking for apartments. Her and her husband are moving to Boston in June, so he can attend Law School. It was so good to catch up with her. After brunch, we were on our way to Orlando, to spend the day at Disney. As we were driving, the sky was just so beautiful, I had to take a picture. We went straight to our resort and checked in. Our room was ready, so we went to check it out. It was lovely, and we had a nice view of the golf course. Our dinner reservations were for 4:00 at the Coral Reef Restaurant in Epcot. (I know, that is really early) We got on a bus, and made our way to Epcot. So far, no rain in Orlando.

We went on a few "attractions" before dinner, and then made our way to the restaurant.

We got to sit right next to the aquarium, which was very cool.

Here are just a few pictures of what swam by while we ate.

Dinner was wonderful, and the dessert was fantastic.
After dinner, we went to the Animal Kingdom Lodge to look at the new Vacation Club Villas they just opened up. They were beautiful, and the room we got to see was a Savannah view, so there were zebras and giraffes just hanging out right outside the room. The sky was getting darker, and you could hear the thunder in the distance, but that didn't stop us from going to the Magic Kingdom. As we were getting off the Monorail in front of the Magic Kingdom, it started to sprinkle, and then the sky opened up and it poured...for 45 minutes. We waited it out under the "Security Baggage Check" tent. Once it let up enough, we made a run for it, and went into the park. We walked around the stores while the rain continued. The rain did eventually stop, and we were able to walk around the park. We had hoped that they would still do fireworks, and at 10:00, we watched the fireworks from the Middle of Main Street. I love the fireworks at Disney. They really do a good job.
By the time we got back to the resort, it was 11:00, and we were both exhausted.

Overall, our vacation was very relaxing, and a great time away. I only wish the weather would have been better.

Vacation - Day 7

**Sorry, I didn't take a single picture today.***
I woke up this morning to blue skies! So I quickly got my bathing suite on headed to the pool. It was absolutely gorgeous until about 2:00. Then it got dark, and stormy, and the rain was back. We did have a great morning enjoying the sunshine. When the rain started, we went back to our room, but I refused to take my bathing suite off. I just knew the storm would blow over and I would be back at the pool in no time. Well, the longer I waited, the worse it got. But I was still holding out. Finally when it looked like there was no possibility of it clearing up, I begged Andrew to go to the beach with me and swim in the ocean. We hadn't been in the Ocean at all this week, and the waves are so big, I really wanted to go play in them. Andrew wasn't too keen on the idea of swimming in the ocean, but he said he would go for just a little bit. It was still raining, but this was my last chance to go, since we are leaving tomorrow. We played in the waves for about 20 minutes, and then Andrew had had enough. I actually got pulled out a little too far by the waves, and was a little scared at one point. I managed to make it back to the shore, but was exhausted from swimming so hard. I have never seen the ocean look like this. The waves were huge. The rest of the afternoon was spent in the room. Andrew watched a few movies, and I finished up my 2nd book of the week, Marley and Me. I had seen the movie, but heard that the book was better. I wouldn't say it was better, just different. The book gave a lot more detail about the life of Marley. They did have one major thing in common, I cried at the end of the book and the movie. It really made me miss my puppies, and makes me so sad to think about the day when they will no longer be with us. Anyway...back to my day. We ate dinner at the resort again. Andrew got the NY Strip and I just got a chicken Cesar salad. Everything was great, like it has been all week. We are sad to be leaving here tomorrow, but have had a great time. Even with all the rain. We will drive to Orlando tomorrow and spent the day at a Disney park, and then dinner for our Anniversary. We are staying at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. On Sunday, we head home. Praying for better weather in Orlando.

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Vacation - Day 6

Today started out just like the past few days, with me running to the balcony to see if the sun is out, or if it is raining. And just like the past few days, it was raining. But, I wasn't going to let the rain get me down today. I went out to the balcony with my Easter Bible study. By the time I was done with that, it wasn't raining, just very overcast. So, Andrew and I headed down to the Mini Golf course here at the resort. They were letting people play for free, because of the weather. There were a few holes where we had to hit the ball through some water. Most golf courses have sand traps, well this one had water traps. After playing two rounds of golf, we were both pretty warm, and decided that even if it was overcast, we were going to go lay by the pool. It was actually nice laying by the pool when the sun isn't scorching you. At one point, Andrew left to heat up some leftovers for lunch. I was taking full advantage of no rain, and wasn't leaving my lounger. He was sweet and brought some lunch to me at the pool. As soon as he got back from eating, they were having a waterslide race. He decided to join in the competition. He made it down the slide in 9.34 seconds, which was good enough for 3rd place. He even got a certificate and ribbon.

Our dinner reservations weren't until 7:30, so I knew I could stay at the pool until 6:30. I ended up going back to the room around 6:00, so I would have enough time to shower and get ready. Here we are right before dinner. It was super windy.

Dinner was once again, wonderful. Andrew got the Tenderloin fillet this time, and I got the chicken breast. I know chicken sounds pretty boring, but it was really good.

After dinner, we got our swim suites back on and headed down to the hot tub. On our way to the hot tub, there were some people standing around looking at the ground. As we walked up, they pointed out a snake, and said there was another one by the pool. I wish I had had my camera. They were harmless snakes, but still exciting to see.

Tomorrow is our last full day here at the beach. I am hoping for no rain. That's all I'm asking for, is no rain.

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Vacation - Day 5

Well, today started out with blue skies! I woke up and ran to the balcony to see what the weather was doing. It wasn't raining, so I put my swim suite on and headed to the pool at 10:00 am. It was beautiful! I sat in the sun and read my book, jumping in the pool every little bit to cool off. Around 1:30 the clouds started rolling in, but I wasn't going anywhere until there were actual raindrops falling from the sky. Well, about 30 minutes later, that is what happened. There was a loud crack of Thunder, and then it started pouring. So, off to my room for a shower and to continue reading on the balcony. If I can't be laying by the pool, I might as well sit on my balcony and watch the waves. Apparently all the storms that we have had over the past 3 days have done a number on the beach. Andrew and I walked down on the beach late this afternoon, and this is what the ramp up to the pier looked like.
Yes, the sand is up to the handrail.

Here we are down on the beach.

The surfers are loving this weather, because it makes the waves huge.

I wish you could tell just how big the waves really are.

Here is Andrew in front of our resort. Our room is the balcony right over Andrew's left shoulder.

After our walk on the beach, we got ready and headed to dinner here at the resort.

Now we are in our room watching the American Idol finale.

Forecast for tomorrow - 60% chance of rain :( Let's hope the other 40% wins out, and we don't see any rain tomorrow.

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Vacation - Day 4

This is what we woke up to this morning: The winds were blowing, the waves were huge...you know, just another rainy day here in Vero Beach, FL.

But the highlight of the day:

I had a 50 min. Swedish Massage, and it was heavenly. A great way to spend a rainy day.

Andrew and I also went for a drive in the rain, and decided to take in a matinee at the movies. We saw Ghosts of Girlfriends past. It was pretty cute. After the movie, we walked around the mall, and then headed back to the resort. Very quiet day, but also very relaxing. I will leave you with this very short video. This is just a glimpse into what the weather has been like.

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Vacation - Day 3

Rain, Rain, go away, come again another day - like after my vacation.

After sleeping till 10:30 this morning, we woke up to cloudy skies. No rain, just clouds. I went to the pool and enjoyed the cool breeze coming off the ocean. Andrew went to get us a sub sandwich for lunch from Publix. After eating lunch by the pool, the clouds got darker, and we could tell rain was on the way. 10 minutes later, the lifeguards closed the pool because of the lightening. So, Andrew and I went to rent some movies, and have spent the afternoon watching movies. Here are some pictures from around the resort.Hopefully the weather will clear up tomorrow, if not, it's another day of laying around the room watching movies and playing card games.

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