Catching up

I didn't post pictures while mom and Larry were here like I thought I would, so I have a lot to post now. We had a great time, and I was sad to see them go. It was my mom's first flight in 29 years, and Larry's first time anywhere on the east coast.

Thursday evening we went out to Clearwater Beach, but it was extremely overcast and drizzling, so we didn't stay very long.

Mom and Bren

Friday we just stayed around the house until the afternoon, and then we took a trip to Godiva so that mom could load up (since they don't have access to Godiva where they live). Then we came home and feasted on crab legs and steak.

Saturday was the 4th of July, and after waking up Erin wanted to show grandma and grandpa some of her piano. Mom loved sitting with her, and singing while Erin played.

We left about 2pm to head over to Orlando for our annual family 4th of July party. My mom had not seen my Nana and aunt's (my dad's sisters) for almost 30 years, and they were all extremely excited to see her and to meet Larry. It was a great day filled with food, family and fireworks.

Non-stop texting...

My oldest and youngest.

The newest addition to the Harper family-Brianna

Bren with Sidney and her best friend (l-r) Sidney, Bren and her friend

Nana and Tony

Every year Sidney gets Brendan with cake or something!

Rhiannon and Erin

My cousin Mike and his girlfriend, Nikki

On Sunday evening we headed back out to Clearwater Beach for sunset. We had a lot of dolphins come right into shore while Bren and Zaye were out swimming (at one point only about 10 feet away from the boys), and I was so glad that mom and Larry got to see them.

Bren showing Zaye the dolphins right behind them.

Grandpa taking video of the pirate ship coming out.

After walking the beach until well after the sun set we ate dinner at a local place right on the beach. Brendan asked Tony for his "hush puppies", not realizing that they were conch fritters. Tony went along with it, and when he put it into his mouth he made a face that was the funniest thing we've seen in a long time. Mom was laughing so hard that she couldn't even catch her breath for a few minutes.

We had a great time with them here, and anxiously look forward to their next trip down. It was hectic at times (with 9 people in the house), but having them here was so nice. My house is suddenly very quiet since the boys left this morning at 6am to go spend 5 weeks with their family in Atlanta, and my mom and Larry left at 6:30am. Zaye (Tony's oldest son) also went back home today until the boys get back, so it's just me, Tony, Brian and Erin now. It's very, very quiet.