The Ritcheys managed to get away for a yummy, wholesome 36 hour getaway to meet John's sister and her family on Anna Maria Island just a couple hours north of Naples. Every year Judee and her family rent a condo there with some of their friends. It was just what we needed. We see Judee and her family a couple times a year and every time I see her I'm reminded just how much I love Judee and what a truly kind and beautiful person she is. She loves our boys like they're her own. She's so sweet with them and talks to them in the softest, most encouraging tones. I just love it. It makes my heart happy inside to see her interact with them. We hit the beach both afternoons we were there. Neither experience was our "best beach experience ever" as Adrey was a bit whiny and the water a bit chilly, but it felt good to be away from Naples and with such good company.
This next picture of Charlie is the perfect example of how CHILL this child is.
Adrey got to see his cool cousin Max. Adrey really looks up to the big kids. And Max and his friends were so freakin' awesome with Adrey. They invited him to play kick and you'd think they asked him if he wanted a lifetime supply of cotton candy because it made is week! He got a smile from ear to ear and jumped right in!! John and I went upstairs to plop down our things and get one of Judee and Mats's famous margaritas. I peered through the blinds of the window and was watching Adrey as he kicked the ball with the big kids. I could tell he felt so proud to be included. He was such a big boy out there without Mommy and Daddy. Although every few minutes I'd see him turn around to see if he could get a glimpse of us, and when he couldn't I envisioned him doing an imaginary shrug of the shoulders and turning around and kicking the ball! He was in heaven. And I had a "moment".
Later in the evening the boys went swimming but I didn't pack Adrey's ear plugs (I didn't know there would be night time swimming... I should have assumed!) so he couldn't join them. So instead, he stood on the side of the pool and threw the ball to the boys and they'd throw it back! I can't tell you how awesome these high school boys were. I can only hope one day Adrey, too, will be this respectful and kind to the "little" ones... and the "big" ones too for that matter!
Mats labored in the kitchen (Janice helped too!) and made one heck of a meal. I wouldn't expect anything less. He and Judee can "whip" up ANYTHING and it's always DI-VINE!!
Their friends are equally as nice and made us feel completely welcome. Just really great people.
Was a great night, Lonnemos. Thanks for including us. We love you to pieces!!
Easter weekend was jam packed with Easter Egg Hunts (5 to be exact), candy and lots of family fun! Saturday night our friends Sam and Ryan invited us over for a kids Easter Egg Hunt and for yummy food and drinks. The kids had a ball!
Every time I ask Adrey to get in a picture with Charlie, he reaches for Charlie BY THE NECK. I always looks like he's trying to choke the poor kid!
Sunday morning we were invited to the Vukos (Joanne's parents) for another Easter Egg hunt and the most GLORIOUS (and unexpected) spread of food imaginable! The presentation (I so wish I had gotten a picture of how beautifully everything was presented) was perfection and the food equally as tasty. Joanne's parents are soft-spoken, generous, kind, really just "feel good" people. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree because that's exactly the person Joanne is too.
Lexi had to open each egg upon discovery.
Poor MJ had the stomach bug and was not feeling well. She just wanted her mama and really didn't care about the egg hunt. Poor snookums.
Sunday afternoon the whole family came to our house for a nice Easter feast and swimming for the kids! It ended with everyone sprawled out on the couches watching the Masters. Perfection.
Was a really great day. Love my family. So much.
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