St. Augustine and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

So far most of the driving on our trip was only 2-4 hours between most destinations, so it was very doable with the kids, but heading back we wanted to try and get back with just one stop.  We just needed to make it back to Ft. Lauderdale.  We looked for a cool destination as our half way point and found St. Augustine would work.  It is the oldest city in the United States.  It was settled by the Spanish in 1565.  The architecture there is very European.  We weren't there very long though, because we wanted to make our way back down to the beautiful beaches of Ft. Lauderdale.

 Memorial Presbyterian Church

   

St. Augustine also had Hazel's Hot Dogs.  How cool is that?

Ft. Lauderdale

Ft. Lauderdale is the yachting capital of the world.  There are neighborhoods all along the water with huge houses and yachts docked in their backyards.  The water and beaches were beautiful.  We stayed right on the water and loved it.  There still is no such thing as relaxing on the beach with toddlers and babies though.  We managed to sit right by a sea turtle nest which was roped off with do not touch signs all around it, and warnings of being imprisoned or fined if touched.  Of course when I looked over Hattie thought it would be fun to run right through it.  I tried getting her out as fast as I could.  We are kind of looking forward to taking a trip to Ft. Lauderdale and Miami without the kids sometime.

Brendan got us a nice upgrade with a waterfront view.

In our hotel the night before we were flying out, Hattie threw up all over Hazel's head.  It was around 3 am and we had to throw the kids in the tub and there was lots of screaming.  We were all tired.  It was terrible.  We kept hoping it was food poisoning or something and that she wouldn't throw up again.  When we were at the airport she threw up again, but not too much.  We were lucky she didn't throw up on the plane.  

By the way, we loved these scoot cases we got for the girls last year at Christmas.  They fit all of their clothes for the whole trip and they can ride on them and be pulled around.  It was kind of funny because everyone was watching and pointing and taking pictures and saying how cute they were and what a great invention.