As we count down the days until we move to Austin, every moment spent with family is especially important. Summer is flying by and before we know it, the air will turn crisp and the leaves will start to fall. The hubs will start his Ph.D, and our next chapter of life will begin.
We moved out of #408 two weeks ago and settled back into the little nook that we first called home. Like this time last year, we are back to living out of backpacks and embracing a nomadic lifestyle. After just few short days of moving out of our humble abode, we packed our bags and boarded a plane for Florida, where we met 90% of the Terminella clan for a few days of R&R.
We arrived in Naples late last Saturday afternoon, happily greeted by my parents, and eager for a beverage that was frosty and tropical. After checking into our sweet little cottage, we set out to explore the property grounds, mango infusion in hand. We enjoyed dinner overlooking the harbor and chit chat with my sun kissed cousins. We were glad to be on vacation, and even happier to be there with the ones that we love.
Sunday greeted us with a boat ride and breakfast on a private island, a morning that was easily the highlight of our trip. We weaved through the streams carved into the tropical forest, and awed over the structure of the tangled trees and shrubs of the lush mangroves. We sipped our mimosas and watched dolphins swim by as we breathed in the salty sea air and journeyed to our final destination.
The hubs and I were thrilled to be alone on an island, eager to get lost and nap in a hammock under the sun. Developed and equipped to host large parties, I don’t think we could have gotten lost even if we tried, but nonetheless, it was gorgeous and quiet and the perfect place for our vacation to begin.
We ate sea salt bagels and just picked pineapple and mangos. They tasted like candy and were out of this world. I kicked fallen coconuts that sat by my feet, and dipped my toes in the calm warm waters as they gently rolled onto the shore.
The rest of the day was spent at the pool with my two favorite little boys in the whole entire world. My nephew Ethan is like a little firecracker, with his huge personality and his nonstop energy. Luca, the newest member of the Terminella family, is cuddly and sweet and a little bundle of love. This auntie’s heart was happy as she played with her boys, glad for the moments that I soon won’t easily have.
Our second full day was nearly as exciting as the first as I headed out to sea to wet and hook and line. The hubs, pops, brother and I enjoyed a rainy morning on the ocean, casting a line and reeling in fish. The sea was rough and the conditions weren’t ideal, but we reeled in a few winners as well as a small shark. Though a tad bit sea sick, I enjoyed those moments on the ocean, surrounded by the men that I love the most.
On our third and last full day there, we said goodbye to some of our family, and enjoyed the rest of the day just husband and wife. We read for hours by the pool and even took a trip to the spa. We ate oysters and crabs for dinner and watched the sunset from the pier. We sipped some bubbly before we went to bed, grateful for the one on one time that lately we’ve seemed not to have.
The last day of our trip came far too fast, but we enjoyed every hour that we had before we boarded our plane. We rested on the beach with dear family members, sipping pina coladas and playing in the ocean with my aunts and cousins. We headed to the airport late that afternoon, sad to leave, but happy to have had a few days away.
We headed back to work early the next day, eager to complete projects and tie up loose ends before we leave. On Wednesday, we will depart for Wyoming to enjoy a week in the Rockies, exploring the magic of the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. We will return at the end of the month, just a few days before leaving for Austin, happy and sad, and likely somewhere in between. Though we are not eager to say goodbye, we are anxious and excited for what’s next to come.
Until next time!
The Daily Doss 