Daytona, Beautiful Weather and Loving Family...

On Thursday morning we loaded up the car and left Rockford, Illinois for sunny Daytona, FL. For those of you who are not Nascar fans the Daytona 500 was on Sunday. Kevin has gone without me in the past but I decided to tag along this year. It was our first time leaving the kids for an extended amount of time. I was worried about it, but they were in goods hands! (thanks Jared and Melissa!!)

After a long day in the car we arrived at our destination. We stayed with Thom and Tami. Tami is Kevin's cousin and they generously opened their home to us. It was wonderful to just be able to relax and spend time with Kevin's extended family.

On Friday and Saturday I spent the day with Kevin while we were at Daytona. It was interesting to say the least and I got a eye opening experience. :) Kevin, Larry (his uncle) and Thom spent all day Sunday at the race. The weather was beautiful the entire time we were down there. I can't believe the difference in weather between Illinois and Florida. WOW!!!

The group going to Daytona on Saturday to see the Nationwide Race. Kevin, myself, Aunt Colleen, Uncle Larry, Kendra and her daddy Thom. We had a blast!!!


Kevin and myself at Daytona. It was SO hot and we realized as soon as we got there that we probably would have been safe wearing shorts. Oh well...it wasn't to bad. I had never seen palmtrees till I arrived in Florida.

Kendra and her Papa (uncle Larry) She is such a well behaved little girl. She did great at the race and with ALL of the walking we did that day. I never heard her complain one time!!!

Kendra and her daddy. She was so excited to spend the day with her daddy. She didn't leave his side one time. She really looks up to him.

Kendra watching the race with daddy and Papa.

We had excellent seats!! I can't believe how fast those cars went around and around. ;)

The infield of the racetrack. WOW...it looked a bit packed in there.

Time for a pit stop...

I believe I have put pictures on my blog of Juliana before. She is Thom and Tami's daughter. This little girl is absolultely amazing! You can read more about her on her website here... http://www.julianawhetmore.net/

This picture is of her and her Nana (Aunt Colleen). She was getting ready for bed one evening. She had the flu while we were there, but she didn't care. She kept going and going. Never complaining one time. I learned (the best that I could) how to communicate with her in sign language. It was actually very interesting to watch her and her mommy communicate with sign language.

Juliana and her big sissy Kendra. We had just gotten back from the race and they were showing off for the camera!!

Juliana and her bags. She loves to carry around anything. I am not kidding you when I say this little girl does not stop. She loves to read, play with playdou and do anything that anyone else does. She is on the go 24/7!!

I only have one picture of Tami but I think she would kill me if I put it on here for the world to see, but I did want to say thanks to Thom and Tami for opening their home to us for a week. Tami, you taught me so much when it comes to parenting! Your children are wonderful and they were so fun to be with! Juliana is such an angel. All that you have done for her to have a normal life is amazing. Thanks again for opening your home to us! We had a blast and can't wait till next year...if I can leave my kids for a week...I will let you know on that one. Can't wait to see you this summer!!