Marco Island 2016

Hi there!  Long time no blog...   Our streak of one entry every month has only been broken once before, but we suppose it is healthy to drop the ball on occasion in order to be sure you can pick it back up. 

We finally made it back to lovely Marco Island!!   The boys skipped out on a week of school for the first time, and Grandma joined us for a fantastic break from the cold Kansas weather.

Well, it was mostly a break from the weather.  It was unseasonably cool and south Florida had just gotten through some serious rain storms.  Above, Conner is trying to walk the beach through some impressive wind!

But really, we did not let the weather dampen our experience.  While high 60s was unpleasant for the locals, we found it just fine since it was in the 20s back home.  And a beach is a beach, right?!

We did get several days of sun and 70s.  So really, no complaints.  Mummy enjoyed a glass of wine on the balcony in anticipation of...

The most glorious sunset.  Now Kansas has some spectacular ones, but viewing the Marco sunset through the palm trees as it reflects off the ocean--pretty cool.

The CNMs could have spent every waking moment searching for treasures on the beach.  This huge starfish was definitely a highlight, but there were all kinds of sea creatures and shells.

 
Gamilee's little studio apartment is located in the 2nd building from the left.  It has been in the family for 40 years.  Strict condo rules allow only three people at a time to sleep there, which is why we don't visit more often.  Grandma and the boys slept in the condo.

While Mummy and Daddy stayed with the wonderful Karen and Tom!!  Friends from Lawrence who have retired and moved to Marco fulltime.  Here we are enjoying an amazing dinner with them at the Marco Chop House.

We made another trek to Rookery Bay.  Just like our last visit, we enjoyed the wildlife preserve and all its cool sciencey stuff.  This is a picture just like one we took in 2012. The boys didn't have to stand on stools this time.

We got a private tour of the grounds and even were allowed to check out this huge sea turtle shell. 

Conner truly has a connection to fish and other sea life.  Here he is having a short but focused conversation with a Snook.  The fishing shirt he has on, he designed himself.  :-) 

This was the closest thing we got to a manatee sighting , but our trip to Rookery Bay was a blast nonetheless.  It was close to the last day of our trip, when the weather went back to overcast and sub-70.  Perfect timing.

We can't believe it has taken so long to get back to this beautiful place.  We hope to give another Marco trip entry, maybe in a little less than four years this time!