Marco Island Vacation

 In April we spent 5 days in Marco Island, Florida, with my extended family.  I have been vacationing in Marco Island since I was in elementary school - always tagging along with my dad during his medical conferences.  It is nice to vacation in a place that has so many memories and to make new ones with my kids!  

As you can see from the sky, our first day was very cloudy and it drizzled at times.  However, it was not a complete loss of a day as it was still warm.  The Gulf was just rougher than usual, which was more fun for the kids with the larger than usual waves.  

A bit down from our hotel (we were in the Hilton) was a giant flock of birds.  Maybe 500 of these birds.  We were guessing that they were not having good luck finding food in the Gulf due to it being very choppy, so they were just hanging out on the beach?  And they were not at all afraid of humans.  Ethan tried to run up on them a few times so they would fly away, and the birds didn't even budge!

Olivia in her own "Birds" horror movie!  

Wave jumping!

Family picture.  Both kids are getting so big!  Olivia is just one inch shorter than me and looks so much older than she did just a few months ago.  Ethan is finally starting to shoot up as well - he now brags that he is 4'1".

The kids discovered virgin dacquiries on this vacation, and drank their fill of strawberry and mango ones.  We ate lunch in a beach/pool side cafe every day - great fish sandwiches and no need to change out of our swimsuits!

Ethan taking a break from the sun.

On one of our beach walks, we discovered a man building professional looking sand castles.  He says it is his relaxation activity after spending one month in central America building schools.  He was very interesting and educational to talk to!

Our family took a break from the beach one afternoon and visited the Everglades.  We took a boat tour of the mangroves and hoped to see alligators (we didn't).  

There were 2-3 dolphins that followed our boat for some time, playing in the wake.  It was fantastic to see!

Entering the mangrove canal.  It was so peaceful and beautiful to see this!  I had never had an experience quite like this before.  If there weren't so many insects, I could have stopped the boat and just relaxed in here.

Beautiful mangroves!

So many birds in the Everglades!

We finally found some alligators down a dirt road that a local had recommended to us.  In about half a mile we saw about 10.  We did go very close to them, but that is probably not recommended ;)

For our final day in Marco, the family just relaxed on the beach and did nothing.  That is VERY unlike me for a vacation.  The kids could not believe that I didn't make them go to a museum the entire time (although I secretly believe visiting the mangroves was a bit like and outdoor museum).

Olivia attempting boogie boarding, but didn't have much success.  She would have done better on the first day when the Gulf was much rougher!

Ethan spent pretty much the entire last day building a sand castle city.  He walked the beach looking for items to decorate it, and was very proud of it.  But, he had no problem destroying it at the end of the day.

Our final meal was a restaurant directly on the beach.  We took advantage of the beautiful sunset.