2016 - July 2nd-10th - Pam, Fred, Val & Freddy

With the Disney vacation over, Eric's family flew out on Saturday the 2nd, Carrie, Ed & Ruby on the 3rd, and we stayed until the 13th. With Eric's crew gone, Ed, Carrie and Ruby came over to Aunt Pam's and Uncle Fred's to have fun there and enjoy their pool and also spend some time with cousin Valerie.

Before the airport run, Freddy, Val, Aunt Pam and Uncle Fred joined us for breakfast at The Cracker Barrel for the last conversations and final good-byes.
               
               
Ruby got a fancy Pink Turtle from Aunt Pam in the Cracker Barrel Gift Shop!

On July 4th, Fred and Pam took us out on their catamaran boat on St. Cloud’s Lake Tohopekaliga, or as better known by the locals, Lake Toho, for a fun-filled day and evening. We went to their marina dock slip and boarded with our cooler full of food and drinks to spend the afternoon and evening enjoying. 

Fred captained us across the lake to Lakefront Park. For the holiday, there were several booths set up. Perhaps because it is an election year, 98% were political booths with an occasional food, retail or game booth. It was fun anyway! But boy was it hot!!! Central Florida had a heat wave that was breaking records the entire time we were down there. So in the pictures, you will see wet sweaty shirts and wiping the sweat off my brow!

                        
               
               
We walked around some and bought some drinks before going out to the lake before our dinner. While there waiting for the fireworks, we had a lot of good talking and saw the beautiful sunset from Lake Taho.

               
And then for the grand finale, the spectacular St. Cloud fireworks show from the shore of Lakefront Park on Lake Taho!

Our last venture was going to see Val's new house in Vero Beach. We drove down on Friday. Valerie works a half day so we met her at the Ocean Grill which several of her co-workers had suggested as Val has only been in the area a little over a month. It sits right on the ocean and we had a wonderful window table. We had a simply delicious meal ... mine in particular was a superb lobster roll!

               
Fred ended up getting the weekend off and drove down to spend Saturday and Sunday at Val's. We met him on Saturday morning for breakfast, spent a few hours checking out Val's place then we headed for Miramar to visit John and Ron while Mom & Dad assisted Valerie with some more chores to be done by the new house owner. They got a lot done while we were gone and we know this will be decorated perfectly for Val's taste! We came back Sunday afternoon and the we had to say our good-byes to Val and head to Orlando.

What a great time we had with everything and everyone that we saw. Time to finish up some details in Orlando and then be off to Lakewood on Wednesday. Great times and always love being with the family ... no thanks are big enough to express how much we love them!

The complete captioned photo album is at this link, just click!