Flashback: Summer Memories

The arrival of summer brings more than just hot, humid weather & frequent trips to the Kirkwood Custard Station. Each year as this time of year rolls around, I find myself thinking back to past summers & smiling as I think about years of memories packed into time off from school, family vacations & lazy days by the pool.

One of my favorite summer memories goes back just one year.  I never got around to blogging about it at the time, but now, one year later, I realize it's a memory I'm SO grateful for that it's definitely worth featuring on the blog.
Last May, Anna graduated from high school.  Jen & I talked for awhile about wanting to give her a gift to celebrate her graduation that she would always remember.  We ultimately decided that while she would appreciate things she could use in her dorm room or a little cash to spend on something she really wanted- the BEST gift would be something we could do together; an experience we would look back on years later and smile when we remembered.  And so- we surprised her (see video) with a sisters trip to Florida.   Less than a year later, we all still smile when we think about it (I actually still tear up when I watch the video of her opening the gift!), and I'm pretty sure it will forever be one of my all time favorite summer memories.

Note the code word Jen uses at the end of the video (Chihuahua).  This signaled Ethan & Tim (who were wearing mickey ears) to come in with the giant card with all the details of the trip!  :)  I suggest turning up your audio & watching the video full-screen. 

And so.... we were off!

Day 1: Lounging Poolside

Thanks to the generosity of my colleagues Lisa & Leah at the Rosen Shingle Creek, this beautiful property was our home awawy form home during our trip.  Anyone who ever gets the chance to stay there should- it's an incredible hotel & we felt pampered from the time we walked in the front doors!  We wasted no time getting to the pool upon checking into the hotel.

Day Two: Universal Studios

With Jen & Anna being avid Harry Potter fans, there was no way we could leave Florida without experiencing the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  The day we went it was about 105, and Anna didn't stop smiling the entire time we were there.  As we were walking towards the castle, she noted that she didn't know it was possible to have goosebumps when it was so hot outside.  Anna might tell you it was the highlight of her trip. 

Jen & Anna humored me on our way out of the park (at which point we were all just ready to drop) with a stop at the Seuss Landing.  It didn't seem right to be that close and NOT stop to check out at least one of the rides with the other 4 year olds.  :)  We snuck in one final photo opp at the park when we stopped at a hat shop, where we found a special hat for the grad, and in honor of the birthday hat mom always makes us wear on our birthdays, a couple of those as well.  

Day 3: Beach Time!

We knew it wouldn't be a weekend in the sun without a trip to the beach.  When we left our resort, we weren't so sure Mother Nature was on our side, and it stormed for most of the drive to the beach.  As we were arriving, the clouds cleared, the sun came out, and we were left with a PERFECT day to catch some rays & play in the water.  This is one of my favorite pictures from the trip.  The creepy men sitting not too far from us on the beach also seemed to enjoy it.  

Upon our return to our car, we saw this guy, writing us a ticket for our meter that had expired literally two minutes earlier.  Anyone who knows Anna knows she can be quite charming, and is also a master of getting her way (classic youngest child), so we did what any other logical people would do- we sent her pleading.  And it worked.  Ticket averted!  Something tells me this guy's day was made by her performance.  :)

The Koch sisters rarely spend time together without eating...well.  This trip was no exception!  The twins (no, they aren't really twins, but everyone thinks they are!) & I did a nice dinner at our hotel one night- it was SO much fun to dress up with my sisters & enjoy a nice meal together!   

The day we checked into the hotel, we met an employee named Ron.  In talking to him as we were checking in, we discovered that Ron grew up in a small town not far from the small town that we grew up in.  Apparently, this realization thrilled Ron, and sent us to the top of his VIP list for the remainder of our stay.  At least, this is what we concluded when he knocked on our door the last night of our trip, pushing a room service cart with milk, cookies, a bottle of wine & chocolate covered strawberries.  As perplexed as we were, and unncessary as his kindness was--- we graciously accepted.  Shortly after he left, we wheeled the cart into our bedroom & had a good, old fashioned slumber party with our high calorie delivery! 

Day 4: Spa time (before heading home)

One of my personal favorite memories from our visit was the morning we left.  Before checking out of the hotel, we went to the spa to get massages, and it was GLORIOUS.  My colleague at the spa, Ricky, knew we were there to celebrate Anna's graduation, and arranged for her to have a nice note & small gift waiting for her in her spa locker.  Anna was teary eyed when she opened it!

 Spending quiet time relaxing with my sisters was the perfect reminder of why we decided to do this trip.  We knew that sooner than later, life would be getting crazy for us with living in different states, getting married, starting families, being in college, etc & getting away together wouldn't be as easy as it is now.   We thought this trip would be the perfect opportunity to enjoy time together & celebrate the blessings we've been given in each other.

I'm happy to say- we were right.  It was.

Disclaimer: While Brother Ethan wasn't able to join us on this trip- he didn't miss out on the fun altogether.  His "new" brothers (Tim & Doug) gave him a boys weekend/golf trip for his recent graduation, which they are looking forward to in late July!  Something tells me he'll have more fun with them than he would have with his sisters, anyway.  :)