Fun in Florida

Hey there Ty!

It was so good to talk to you tonight! I hope you have a great p-day and have the opportunity to rest and relax before heading back out to work tonight. It was fun to hear about your week of traveling. Once again I’m grateful that you weren’t detained by immigration officials. Yikes. The food photos you sent look delicious. Personally I think having a hot, savory noodle dish for breakfast sounds like a great way to start the day. I’m glad to see you looking healthy and happy. Keep up the good work!

I had a great week, but I’m exhausted!

1. On Monday Blake and Dad and I went back to Universal Studios. I was more selective with which rides I went on, but I did enjoy the Harry Potter rides and the Jurassic park ride. The technology on these rides is so impressive.  Blake enjoyed the rides, but he was wanting more rollercoasters. Dad and Blake had a second round of Butterbeer, and towards the end of the day we rode the water rides—which left us soaked head to toe! We stopped for Rocky Road Cold Stone ice cream on our way out of the park and then headed to the game. Traffic was terrible, so we got there a bit late, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game was really fun. The stadium was crazy big and crowded, but we got our own seats and were much more comfortable than at the Gators game—hallelujah! We got back to our hotel around 2 am (Florida time), and I collapsed in exhaustion. Dad mercifully hired an Uber to come pick up him and Blake at 4 am to go to the airport so could sleep .

2. I slept in a bit and took a late checkout. My friend Megan drove up from her home in Coral Springs and met me at the airport, and then we drove up the coast to a place called St. Augustine. It was a really cool city to explore. St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European/African origin in the US. Ponce de Leon discovered Florida in 1513 and claimed it for Spain. And then over the next centuries the land was fought over and conquered countless times.

On Wednesday Megan and I went to see the spot where Ponce de Leon marked the date of discovery with a large cross made of stones in the ground. It was located near a natural spring now called the “Fountain of Youth” which became legendary for its healing and restorative properties. Megan and I drank from the fountain, but I don’t feel any younger! We also toured the Castillo de San Marcos which is the oldest masonry fort in the United States. It’s a huge stone fortress with a moat and cannons that was built along the coastline to defend Spain’s claims to the New World. It was pretty awesome to go see.

Thursday we toured the Lightner museum which was housed in an old Luxury hotel with beautiful architecture. Friday we toured an historic boarding house and walked around Flagler College. Saturday we went to see the lighthouse and then walked on the beach for an hour and collected seashells before driving back to the Orlando airport. We made a very important stop at Buc-ee’s (amazing and famous) gas station where they sell everything from Christmas decorations to 20+ varieties of beef jerky. The place would be an absolute nightmare with children in tow! I made it out of there with some treats for the kids to try when I got home. 

Megan and I talked virtually non-stop for 5 days straight, and we ate a lot of good food. Megan likes to try all of the things, so at restaurants she orders drinks, appetizers, entrees and desserts. It’s fun to share, and a totally different dining experience than I'm used to! (It’s also expensive). We ate at a place called Gas Full Service Restaurant which was featured on Food Network’s Diners Drive-Ins and Dives. We ordered the famous Jalapeño popper burger on their recommendation. Of course I had to order the famous burger so I could report back to my food network loving boys. It was ok, but I liked the salad and the flourless chocolate cake better. Go figure! We had tacos and ceviche and waffles and biscuits and bagels and salads and fried green tomatoes, and everything was delicious!

3. Meanwhile, back at home things were busy as usual. Jett and Tate went to Idaho with Grandma and Grandpa Rawson to visit Rob & Leisja’s family. Ethan slept over at Nana and Grandpa’s house. And when Dad got home he held down the fort running the kids around to their activities all afternoon. He was really glad to see me on Saturday night when I got home!

4. Tate had his last soccer game and they lost. He’s sad about that. Jett had his first basketball game and he missed the would-be game-winning shot at the end. He’s sad about that. But he got cool new basketball shoes! Ethan’s team lost to Farmington on Tuesday, and Ethan didn’t even get any playing time. He was not happy about that. BUT. Ethan’s team beat Syracuse on Thursday, AND he had some decent playing time. I’m so glad his coach finally let him play! Dad said he looked like he belonged on the court with the other players. Hopefully his coach agrees and allows him more opportunities to prove himself.  Blake was awarded 1st team All-Region! Next up for Blake is playing American Fork on Friday.

5. Blake’s deadline for his BYU application is Wednesday. He’s currently in essay-writing bliss. Lol.

6. Blake went to the Harvest dance with Clara on Saturday. He dressed up as King Kong and his costume was awesome. He came home after the dance and the costume was soaked all the way though. He had to take a quick shower before going back out!

7. Michael was supposed to have a date with Heidi’s niece this week, but she cancelled, so they are going to reschedule. Sounds like he ended up backpacking that night instead. He’s got a newish calling in his ward in the Elder’s Quorum presidency.

8. Last Sunday we were notified that a homemade explosive device was found on the school property at Endeavour Elementary. They had to bring in professionals to detonate it. Totally bonkers! We weren’t home that day, so I don’t have much information about what happened. But I have not heard any information about whether they have identified a subject, so I’m not super happy about that—especially because the little kids are running around outside pumpkin hunting every afternoon.  

9. I mailed my ballot in before I left for Florida. It was very satisfying to cast a vote for Kamala Harris. 9 days until Election Day! Polling says this race is going to be a nail biter. It’s too close. I really can’t imagine a second presidency. Heaven help us.

10. BYU football is 8-0. Ranked top 10 in AP! They are having a great season.

Have a wonderful week kiddo!

Love you always,
Mom