Ocala Trip

We went to Ocala last week to spend some much-needed time at the "farm" with family.  Becky and her family were down from Indiana for the week and we definitely couldn't miss seeing them, plus we hadn't been down to the farm for a while and the boys had been begging to go.  It was a wonderful time, as usual!  

We were able to get a pretty nice picture of my parents and all of their grandkids...

My highlight of the trip was probably seeing my niece, Grace, who is almost two and just absolutely adorable.  The highlight for the boys was definitely getting to shoot Popeye's rifle and pistol.  I was super nervous, but all of the men seemed okay with it so I just trusted Phil and rolled with it.  They set up a target in the woods of a milk jug and two solo cups and took turns shooting at it.  E and J absolutely loved it.  They hit the milk jug several times and were so excited.  Reid even got a turn a few times and Uncle Ryan took a turn, too!  He is also hooked!

In the summer those woods are spider heaven with huge banana spiders (or "golden orb weaver" spiders, according to J and E, as seen on Wild Kratts) everywhere and I would never stick even a TOE in there... But at this time of year there was not a spider to be seen and it was nice to be able to be in there with the boys.

Look at this absolute cutie-pie!

She LOVED being outside, and especially outside with no shoes on!!  

And she also LOVED riding a horse for the first time!  She didn't want to get off!  It's in her blood.  :)

 "Hayrides" were, of course, another favorite activity for the boys.  And Bernie... oh my gosh... he had the absolute time of his life out there.  He got to run free and play and jump and go crazy with the boys as much as he wanted.  He was a good boy and stayed close to the house and didn't wander, so we were able to let him out all the time.  He was so happy.

Poor Grace did NOT want to ride in the back without Mommy!

The night before we left the grown-ups (except my mom and dad) went to a UF basketball game up in Gainesville.  

It was the last game of the season and they were playing Kentucky, so we figured they wouldn't win, but it was super fun anyway!  I cheered for the players on the team, but refused to sing any of the Gator songs and absolutely didn't do any "chomping."  Ugh.  No, but really, it was a fun night.  Basketball is really exciting!

Hey, look!!  I'm a Gator fan!  Ugh... Blech.  Just kidding... No, I'm not.  :)