Today I’m not going to do two posts. I’m taking a total rest day from exercising anyway because we are on vacation! The only sweating I’ve done today was caused by shopping at an outlet mall in the Florida heat. But I did eat today.

Breakfast:

Eggbeater omelet with mushrooms and onions and salsa.

We packed up the car this morning and took Chewie to the kennel.

After giving Chewie lots of hugs and kisses we hit the road to Orlando.

We met Chad’s brother, Brian, and our two nieces at an outlet mall since we couldn’t check in to our hotel until later in the afternoon.

Everybody was hungry so we headed straight for food.

Cousins!

I got a grilled chicken salad from Subway.

I’m really going to try to stick to a low-carb, healthy diet as much as possible while we’re on our vacation. I’m sure I’ll slip up at some point (if not throw the towel in all together), but I’m going to make an effort. I didn’t hear back from my doctor about the blood test and ultrasound before we left St. Pete, so I’m just going to avoid alcohol. Sadness.

After lunch we shopped for a while at the outlet mall. Cal bought a new fedora.

I bought some new sunglasses, which I have needed forever.

Maui Jim’s…love. I think this is the third pair of Maui Jim’s that I’ve owned over the years.

Hope and Grace, my nieces, got new bracelets.

The kids were good sports about the boring shopping.

Finally we decided to head to the hotel. Hello Nickelodeon Hotel…long time no see.

This is the boys’ and my third time staying here. It’s Chad’s second time because once the boys and I came here with our BFFs/neighbors the Z’s. We love the Nick Hotel!

Televisions EVERYWHERE! And lots of them.

As soon as we got checked in, hauled all our stuff to our rooms, and changed clothes…we went straight to the big pool (there are multiple pools here). The big pool is mostly shaded during the late afternoon.

It was crowded, but that didn’t bother us at all. I spent a little time enjoying the last few minutes of sun on the pool deck…

had a snack…

then got in the pool with the kids.

Underwater camera + murky water without direct sun:

We all took turns taking photos. Hope, my six year old niece, took this one:

Mack took this one:

Grace, my nine year old niece, took this one:

and this one:

And Hope again:

Chad took these with the DSLR:

When we all felt hungry we headed back to the rooms to change then hit up the food court for dinner.

The choices at the food court were pretty slim. My only option for vegetables was to get yet another Subway salad for dinner. This time I got tuna salad and avocado.

It was good, but I’m pretty sick of Subway salads now. I’m over the food court. We’re going to have some better food on this vacation soon, I promise. The kids had pizza.

Gift shop:

I picked up a couple of yogurts and a cheerios container at the little convenience store in the food court. I plan to make a snack out of the yogurt, some of the Cheerios, and a few almonds later (thanks for the almonds Brian).

I have had basically NO carbs today, so I think I need a few Cheerios to help me sleep.

All of the boys and Grace went to see a show (Speed Racer and Happy Feet 4D), but Hope and I came back to the rooms to chill. She doesn’t like 3D (or 4D) shows. Now everyone’s back and getting ready for bed. More fun tomorrow!