YourDailyGrace

I’m still on island time in Boca Grande, Fla. but sadly my better half, and best friend as he likes to say, had to leave today promptly at noon to head back to school. Rob having summer classes has been a huge bummer for me because not only have I missed him and wanted to experience all my fun vacations with him but I also feel so guilty having fun without. So overall as lame as this might sound, I never feel like I have quite as much fun if he’s not there, unless of course I’m shopping because he has the unique skill of taking the pleasure right out of that for me! I’m glad he got to be here for a few days and I think he really enjoyed himself so I can feel a little less guilty. Here’s the photo round up!

Sunday

Very early Sunday morning all of the adults went to South Beach to hear and dance to the Boca Band!

It was mine and Rob’s first time going to “Boca Band” and we were a little shy to dance at first but had a great time once everyone forced us to join in!

Rob and I tried to have a photo shoot at the Boca Grande “Stonehenge” but I hate to say my skin tone doesn’t scream swim suit model. But hey you’ve got to work with what you’re given!

Then it was time to play in the sun! 

Rob took John David on a jet ski ride and apparently Booda is a thrill seeker and wanted to go faster and faster!

Kathleen is the sweetest and brought down a tray of snacks in the later afternoon for everyone to nosh on!

I decided we should run our 4 miles at 6 that evening…big mistake. It was blazing hot and apparently I was dehydrated because it was one of my worst runs ever. Can you tell?

We had Sister’s yet again for dinner except this time Rob and I grabbed take out and took it home…

Rob and Aunt Jen had a sweet tooth so they had me bake up a treat….

Paula Dean’s Gooey Butter Cake. John David gave me a kiss for this cake…so you know it was good.

Monday

Every year some of the older guys and kids get together to play a basketball game, Dabo lined them all up to split up the teams.

John David was skins but was having trouble getting his sweaty Nike Combat over his noggin…

There were two games, the younger kids game got pretty heated. I’m pretty sure I spy a foul.

The older game was intense! But not quite as amusing.

Oh and I showed off my baller status. Here I am trying to hit down a stuck ball sinking one in.

Aunt Jen’s Brother-in-law and family a.k.a. Amy Jane, Jimmy, Daniel, Paul and Sal arrived to join in on the fun!

We had a wonderful dinner at South Beach including an awesome view of the sunset!

Rob and I shared dinner and of course some appetizers!

Caprese…

Seafood Chowder with a side of onion straws…

And the grand finale, Seafood Strudel! Shrimp, scallops and crab meat with mushrooms in a cream cheese sauce wrapped in Phyllo dough. It was amazing!

Today

Uncle Dave and my cousin MK got in last night at 2am…for a grand total of 12 people under one roof! And 3 of them decided to snuggle with Josie and I in our little couch bed this morning…

For Rob’s last morning in Boca we took out the golf cart to get an iced caramel latte at The Inn Bakery and Croissant Breakfast Sandwiches from Dolphin Cove. It was a perfect breakfast!

We had some entertainment while we enjoyed our breakfast.

Rob still hadn’t gone to Loose Caboose for some homemade ice cream, a must do tradition, so on his way off the island we grabbed some!

A bitter yet sweet goodbye!

Tonight we started a new tradition, a Progressional Beach House Dinner! Our job was to make appetizers so I made Chocolate Cookie Dough Dip and Caramelized Onion Dip! Aunt Jen made pigs in a blanket and bbq mini bagel chips, cheese and sausage sandwiches.

Amy Jane made a Pioneer Woman’s Recipe, Zannie’s Black-Eyed Pea Dip. It was yummy and a great change from the same old bean dips.

Next was Kathleen and Dabo’s House from Salads! The caprese and caesar were very yummy!

John, and the other, Kathleen’s House was next for some traditional Italian pasta and gravy. Turns out “gravy” has lots of meat so I stuck with the butter noodles.

And lastly we went to PJ and Kelly’s for dessert! I choose chocolate on chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and caramel topping. Oh and a sprinkle cookie!

The first ever Progressional dinner was very fun and I hope they made it a new tradition! Next year we want to make dessert! I need to get to sleep because I have a big race in the morning! The Inaugural Boca 4th of July 10K! Uncle Dave created the course and they’re hoping it will catch on and become yet another tradition. After my horrible 4 mile run on Monday I’m just hoping to finish! At least I’m all carb-ed up from the extended dinner!

Have a Happy, Happy Fourth of July!