F.L.O.R.I.D.A.

I want to go back. I want flip-flops on my feet, a swimsuit on my body, a palm tree in my view, and the sun on my face.

Our trip was lovely. I flew via Orlando to Ft. Myers last Sunday morning, and after visiting Memphis and Atlanta first, Jess finally made it, too. It was her spring break, and I created a spring break of my own.

We stayed with Grandpa and Grandma Staal in their cute little winter home. It was so great to have lots of time to spend with them, as it has been years since we've been able to do that. Thanks to both of you for having us, for taking care of us, and for entertaining us.

Day 1: Arrive, out to dinner at California Pizza Kitchen, hang-out, catch-up, chat

Day 2: Sleep in, pool, sun, read books, relax, ride old squeaky bikes

Day 3: Beach ALL DAY, dinner at the Sandy Parrot, learn shuffle board (Grandma Blanche [GB] dominates)

Day 4: Girls morning out shopping [Grandpa is pouring concrete with his friends...all of whom are a half bubble off], kayaking on the Estero river, Grandpa burgers, ice cream with Al and Estelle, sunset on the beach

Day 5: Homeward bound [sad to leave, but I did miss my husband]

It was refreshing and rejuvenating to be away, especially because I was with my sister. Here are some photos of the week:
G&G's house


Grandma's bike with a parrot horn


Isn't she cute?



Grandpa was under the umbrella the whole day and was the only one who got burnt.

Spring Break Etc.

Well last week was spring break around here and it was quite the hectic one for the Baldauff family...for my part I had a trip down to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Two of my co-workers, Mike and Ryan, and I decided to head down south to do some hiking. We spent four days on and around the Appalachian Trail. We had a great time, had wonderful weather, had great hikes, met great people along the trail, and had a ton of fun camping out. A super trip with good friends, good camp food, and good views. The Appalachian Trail is a special place and we certainly felt that.

While I was in Tennessee Leah headed over to Chicago to spend time with the family and to search for possible areas where we would want to live. Lo and behold she actually found us a great apartment!!!! It is actually the second floor of a cute little house that is owned by an older couple that live on the first floor. It is in the Evanston area about twelve miles north of the city. This means Leah is about a half hour train ride away from school but it puts us closer to a lot of things and that made it worth it. It is a huge relief to have this already done. Our lease starts April 15th but we have a half month free so it works out pefrectly because we are moving in May and this allows time for our Dear Mother to completely furnish and decorate the apartment before we move in!!! Thanks mom, we'll take a king size bed!

So when Leah and I both came back from out trip we still had a weekend before students arrived back on campus. Spontaneously we decided to head to the Laurel Higlands in PA for the weekend. Our weekend there was wonderful. We rented a little cabin which was kind of dingy but it had a great fireplace where we had a fire going all weekend. We also did some great bike riding along the Youghagheny river...it was beautiful. The highlight of the weekend,however, was definitely our visit to Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater. Both of us being FLW fans it was a pretty special experience to walk through Fallingwater. What an amazing home and piece of history. This was something that Leah and I have had planned for a long time so it was special to finally make it happen.

So that was our crazy spring break week...lots happened and we had a ton of fun...this is not typical for us. We normally always have fun but usually that means doing crossword puzzles or playing rummy and watching Lost...it was fun to have a life for a week and a half! Here are some pictures of our trip:

Little did you know...

...this day is not only in celebration of Saint Patrick, but also of the Baldauffs. Today marks four years that we've been putting up with each other...AND WE'RE STILL IN LOVE! Must be the luck of the Irish.

PS-We had dinner at Sonic tonight! After watching ads on TV for two years without having a Sonic nearby, the need has now been met! Oh, LOVELY LIMEADE...