We took a family trip to Sarasota Florida February 22-29, 2020. We flew out of Des Moines Saturday at 10:30AM arriving in Sarasota at 2:30. We rented a Land Rover vehicle ( The boys idea) and checked into the Lido Beach Resort located on the key of Lido beach not far from Longboat key where we stayed in 2019. The resort was on the beach, we had an ocean view with a balcony, swimming pool, beach chairs, and palm trees. We enjoyed the sunshine and beach Saturday and Sunday. The first 4 days Mark an I got up and took a walk on the beach first thing in the morning. We both really enjoy beach walks and the shoreline went for miles.
Jayden flew in and arrived Sunday around 10PM. We were all so very excited to see her, it has been since Christmas break. She was like Barbie with her long blonde hair, pink glittery nails. pink purse, and pink luggage. Monday we enjoyed more of the sun and beach. Jayden didn't leave her pool chair much during the day. I had to tease her in her cheetah print swim suit and hair up, she looked like Pebbles from Flintstones. Jake refused sunblock and learned the hard way what it's like to get too much sun. One day the boys dug in the sand and Jake buried Luke. He was quite a sight in a heap of sand above ground like a beached whale. We ate at a variety of restaurants, enjoying all kinds of good food. I gained weight on the trip for sure.
The boys really enjoyed seeing all the fancy expensive cars. We stayed in such a nice area and their were so many wealthy people with fancy cars and homes. Some of the cars we saw were Lamborghini, Bugatti, Bentley, Rolls Royce, McClaren, and more. There is a lot of money in that area.
We were close to St Armand's circle, where there is all the upscale shopping.
Because I get motion sickness, I stayed back while mark took the kids to fish. I happily stayed back and read my book on a beach chair. They had a good time fishing off the boat. They were in a harbor so it wasn't a deep sea journey. They all caught fish, Luke having caught the biggest and coolest throny fish. Mark caught the smallest tiny fish.
The first part of our trip the temps were around 75, just right for laying in the sun. Wednesday the weather took a turn, rain in the late afternoon and a cold front came in for Thursday and Friday dropping temps into the 60's. Wednesday Mark took the boys to a car museum and out to eat. Jayden and I soaked in as much sun as we could until we got too cold and the rain came in. We went to the nearby St. Armand's to shop. The upscale shops were so expensive and most of them were geared for the retired age women. Our last evening in Sarasota, Mark and I went on a date. The kids stayed back at the hotel, went to the restaurant to eat, and watched tv. I wore my new dress that we got on our shipping outing. My mom told me on the phone I could have $100 and Jayden $50 to go out and shop with as a surprise! When I got all dressed up we took some photos. Jayden wanted to put on her fancy outfit and have some photos taken with her mama. She told me she hopes she looks as good as I do when she is 45. She also posted on her social media with our picture, "twins". I thought that was sweet.
On another boat outing, Mark took Jayden and Luke on a dinner cruise. Give me a book and some room service and I don't mind. Jake hung out with me and watched a movie. Sometimes a relaxing night is fine too. 
Mark and I went to a nice restaurant on Longboat Key. When driving we had to wait for a long motorcade of police cars and motorcycles. There had to be at least 20 or more and two ambulances. Luckily we hit the tail end of it, but found out later some had been waiting up to two hours for the roads to reopen. Vice President Mike Pence was in town for a fundraising effort. When you think about it, it really is ironic. The amount of loss that night from restaurants and business having to stop for the night because of closed roads had to outweigh the fundraised money by far. I guarantee people missed flights too. The main bridge to the keys was closed. Craziness!
We took the kids to the Ringling Brothers museum and the Ca'd'Zan Mansion. The tiny circus is amazing. We had to take a quick self guided tour this time unlike the extensive one Mark and I took before. It was still neat and the kids enjoyed it. Our trip was great, we enjoyed being together even in a small cramped room, and sunshine and the beach always restore the soul.
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