Oceanographic Society

We had one week before Ryan started work and bar prep. We tried to fill our days full of beach and family time. And thankfully, everything is pretty close to us. The Florida Oceanographic Society (here) is on Hutchinson Island, just a few miles before our favorite beach stop. Hutchinson Island is 30-40 miles in length, so we have lots to discover just on this island! 

Anyways, at the Oceanographic center, they have "tours" in the morning and in the afternoon. We showed up at 10:15am, and we were right in time for the sting ray feeding! When I say "tours" I mean they have specific feeding times for the animals, so you can show up when they are doing the feedings and a worker will be at each station if you want to go. It costs $10 per adult and $5 per child and I thought that was a bargin for what we did.

the fish/shrimps // I love Ryan's face in this picture. Brinley was not interested at all to feed the sting rays or touch the dead fish. Ryan was obviously trying to pump her up about it. 

I grew up in San Diego, and so I've been to Sea World plenty of times. You can also feed the sting rays there, so I've done it before. But--you probably would have never known that. I screamed and screamed and jumped and pretty much embarrassed Ryan. I would get so close to feeding the sting ray, and then I'd pull back and make a big scene. I happened to look over and see this 2 year old boy stick his arm all the way down, and FEED the sting ray with zero hesitation. I was like, seriously!?? So, I put on my big girl pants, grabbed that dead fish head, and fed that sting ray. And then that was that. It was quite thrilling!

Next, the sea turtles. I was really hoping for more sea turtles than just 4, but it was so fun to see them swim around. All the sea turtles here are basically in rehab to get back into the sea. I couldn't believe that we have 4 different sea turtle species that nest here just on Hutchinson Island! I am slightly obsessed with sea turtles nesting, if you couldn't tell already. Their nesting season is going on right now and I am determined to find a mommy turtle laying her eggs. Brinley loved seeing the turtles because of Finding Nemo. She loves Crush.

Oh--and Squish was there too.

It was getting to the hotter part of the afternoon, and we were all getting pretty hungry for lunch, so we quickly went to the kids part where there is a touch pool of sea anemones, horseshoe crabs, and hermit crabs. Brinley thought it was pretty neat, but loved this fishing game the most.

We are going to become members and make this place a more frequent visit!

Downtown Stuart

Stuart has such charm. We went for a walk after dinner one night last week and discovered a little chocolate/ice cream shop. It had Nutella gelato! Ridiculous!! 

View of the Atlantic Inter coastal Waterway. The bridge across is connecting to the island where all the beaches are. One of the many things we love about this area is all the water. Bridges connecting you everywhere and we can constantly spot water. Gorgeous!

We walked out to a pier/dock and there was a guy playing an accordion! WHAT! It was so much fun. I really wanted to get out and do a jig, but Brinley was a bit embarrassed to dance. 

Bathtub Reef Beach

Here is the first of many beach posts. So, get used to it! :-)

We have found our favorite beach. It's called Bathtub Reef Beach. Apparently, it was heavily affected by Hurricane Sandy and it just recently opened up after being closed for 5 months. We've been twice already and we are obsessed. We couldn't believe that there were not one, but THREE sea turtle nests! Seriously, it has been a dream of mine to see little sea turtles! The beach for us is so cathartic. Ever since we spent a week on Topsail Island, NC last year for our Steele family reunion, we have been dreaming of living on the beach. We kind of can't believe this is now our life and we are 20 minutes away from this beach. The closest beach is 10 minutes, but this one has a lifeguard and bathrooms and the color of the water is so divine. We feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many of God's beautiful creations. Just simply hearing the waves crashing puts everything in perspective for me. Life is so crazy and the world is scary, but having this beach to retreat to anytime we want, definitely helps keep us calm and appreciative of the many blessings we have and all that we have to look forward to.

SPF 50 is my new bff for this squish.

baywatch anyone? 

ellie's constant companion: her sunhat.

"sand castle!!!!"

Come visit, ok?

Moving in.

Monday morning, Ryan got a phone call from the apartment complex that the power people were over at our place turning on the power! By 11am, we made it over to our apartment and and started to unpack. Between Brinley and Ellie desperately needing naps, having zero food in our house, and our place engulfed in boxes, I was quickly losing my mind. Ryan had to go into the firm in the afternoon to start on paperwork, so while he was gone, I set up the kitchen table and tried to organize as much as I could. It was amazing how good it felt to have our table up, and then later that night to set up our bed.

A not so hot moment was our attempt to go to the mall. We were those parents leaving the mall dragging a screaming toddler. "Sorry mama!!!!!! I'll be nice!!!!!! I won't take that boys stroller!!!!!!" It was great :-) But on a SUPER happy note, the Friday before we left Tallahassee, I consigned our old Graco stroller because we just don't use it anymore. I did lots of research for a double umbroller stroller and I had my eye set on a Maclaren Twin Triumph. While I was at the consignment store, I spotted a Maclaren!! It was a Twin Techno and I couldn't believe it was in such good condition and under $180. Between my consigned stroller, I was able to walk out of there with a sweet double umbroller that was $150! The Twin Techno retail is over $400!! I was so shocked and pumped, I seriously couldn't stop talking about it all night. Ever since, it has been such a dream. It drives perfectly. Great storage. Great sunshade. AND it has a max weight of 110 lbs! That is unheard of for twin umbrollers. Basically, I love it with all my heart.

and heres a great shot of Squish in our huge master bedroom.

We are still unpacking, but I'm planning on doing a house tour video soon!