Just so you know.....this is quite a long post. :)
Last weekend, my sisters & Alden and I headed for Holmes Beach, Florida.
A trip of a lifetime ~ to spend these days with our dear family friends, Bea and Bob.
Bob and Daddy met in World War II.
Bob was Daddy's best man in my parent's wedding.
Bea and Bob met. Married.
This foursome (Bea, Bob and my parents) were best friends through the years.
We girls (sisters) have known Bea and Bob our whole life.
They are incredibly dear to us ~ like family to us.
They are AMAZING people.
We love and appreciate them beyond measure.
Sister times were an added BLESSING!!!!!!
The sisters.....and Alden enjoyed our time!
Alden and I packed up.....
Made our way to the metro.....
Left from Reagan National Airport........
Enjoyed a beautiful sunrise while waiting to board the plane.
We landed, got our rental car, and by this time Susan had landed as well.
The 3 of us drove over to our hotel.....
Enjoying the beautiful sights. WHAT a beautiful area.
Our parents retired in Longboat Key and Bea and Bob live in Holmes Beach.
Yes, our parents retired close to their good friends.
All of our kids enjoyed going to grandma and grandpa's house ~ at the BEACH for many wonderful years........
and we ALWAYS spent some time with Bea and Bob while visiting.
We then made our way over to Bea and Bob's ~ Kim had already arrived a few days earlier.
We picked up groceries on the way over and Susan, Kim and I made dinner for the crew.
As always, we enjoyed our dinner on their lanai.
Poolside.....looking over the bay.
Wonderful first evening together.
We watched the moon rise over the bay ~
Unfortunately, Dianne's arrival was delayed to mechanical issues with the plane.
Saturday ~ we awoke to the beautiful gulf!!!!!!!
Alden and I took a quick walk on the beach ~
and of course, he ran, while the sisters ate breakfast. :)
The beautiful CLEAR water of the Gulf of Mexico!
Our hotel.
We then headed over to the airport to pick Dianne up.....ugh, she ended up having to take a red eye!
We had a quick bite to eat and got caught up ~
And then headed RIGHT over to Bea and Bob's to visit!
We absolutely LOVE hearing the stories from these two.
Bob is telling stories of WWII.
We all take in each and every word.
Bea pulled out Bob's diary ......and the heel of Bob's boot that was shot on a misson!
Yes, Bob said he pulled the heel off as soon as he got back from this flight!
My dad was the pilot. Bob was the navigator. Bob even showed us his sextant on a previous visit we had with them. (instrument used in WWII by navigators)
My dad was the pilot. Bob was the navigator. Bob even showed us his sextant on a previous visit we had with them. (instrument used in WWII by navigators)
Bea is very tech savvy ~ impressive!
Bob hangs in there with us. :)
We enjoyed watching the osprey from their family room ~
And dolphin. {not the best picture}
We headed over to their golf club for dinner.
Bob has worked at this club since 1968.
He is up each morning at 5:00 a.m. to head over
and open the club and set up the tournaments for the day.
Have I mentioned that Bea is 93 and Bob is 98! :)
We enjoyed a wonderful dinner together!
Alden and Bob worked on their sprinkler system. :)
We learned this visit that Bob and Alden grew up much the same way ~
on a farm, working with their hands.
Quite the team!
Isn't their home beautiful!!!!!!!
Vicki ~ great company!
You wonder.....what are we looking at????
Um yes.....this beautiful view.
Sail boats, motor boats, dolphin, osprey, kayakers,
moon rise, glow from the sunset......
always a beautiful sight to see.
We even got to watch the last few minutes of the Redskin game....
AND even a WIN!!!!!!!
We made it to the beach for a bit ~
The BEST hot tub ever!
The beautiful Gulf of Mexico. WOW!
We spent a few minutes enjoying our parents home ~
So many great memories here ~
As we headed to the car ~ to bid farewell to Bea and Bob,
we were greeted by a wood stork!
Oh how dear this couple is to so many people ~
we think the WORLD of them.
God's blessing to us.
We all hugged goodbye......
shed tears of joy and of parting with Bea.....
As I hugged Bob...and looked into his beautiful blue eyes....
he said "and it all began in World War II".
Yes, it did.
We love you Bea and Bob!!!!!!!
