It is starting to sink in

It is all starting to sink in that this is now home.  We have art on the walls, food in the pantry, and dirty laundry waiting to be washed.  It is just so crazy how fast time has flown by, we have been down in Florida for about 2 weeks.  We have be eagerly exploring our new town.

This past weekend Nick and I hit up two different beaches.  On Friday we spent the afternoon/evening at Treasure Island in St. Petersburg.  It was a beautiful beach loaded with seashells and clear warm water.  The waves were a bit rough, but the temperature was just right.  After laying out, reading, and floating in the water we ate dinner at a little beachside restaurant.  On Saturday morning, we ran around New Tampa trying to find a place that would issue me either a cashier's check or money order for my grown-up job (thanks a lot online only bank).  Amscott came to my rescue and all was right again in the world.  That afternoon our friends Brinton and Amanda took Nick and I out to Anna Maria Island.  It has to be one of the most gorgeous beaches ever.  The sand was a bright white, the water a clear green, the schools of fishes swimming all around, the waves perfect, and the beach houses to die for.  We spent the after noon playing corn hole, reading, tanning, and swimming.  Then we headed over to Bradenton to eat at the Beachhouse.  The food was pretty good and the pina colada bread was heavenly.

Anna Maria Island

The beach house I fell in love with.

The group after dinner.

Gorgeous right?!

After the beach we all cleaned up and headed out to Hyde Park near down town.  It reminded us a lot of the Brookside area, but bigger.  We went to a total of four bars, two Irish pubs, one trendy place, and one hole-in-wall joint.  The atmosphere was awesome in all of the bars.  The second Irish pub was every one's favorite, it had a live band that was playing the best music.  After the bars we headed to Pita pit and then home for the night.

Beginning of the night.

End of the night.

Nick and I spent our Sunday at the mall taking advantage of the final day of the tax-free holiday.  We each walked away with my nice new digs.  I left with seven new items and Nick stepped away with two great blue items.

Tomorrow is my first day on the job, luckily it is just the first day of orientation and the kids do not show up until the 23rd.  I hope this week goes by smoothly and quickly so we can hurry up and head to the Chiefs v. Buccaneers pre-season game!

-Megan

The Big Move

Well folks we have officially been in Tampa, FL for a week.  It still feels like an extended vacation, but I think that will all change next week when I start work as an SLP.

We began our drive to Tampa on Sunday August 1st around 5:30pm and drove all through the night only really getting caught up in rush hour traffic in Chattanooga and Atlanta. We reached our final destination Monday afternoon just in time for an early dinner with our two friends Brinton and Amanda who also live down here.  My brother and dad helped Nick and I move down and turned the week into a vacation filled with a trips to Clearwater without Nick and I, Busch Gardens, St. Pete's Beach with Nick and I, a movie (The Other Guys), bowling, and of course some moving.

                                        Nick, Bryan, and I on a roller coster at Busch Gardens.


While we have been in Tampa for a week, we didn't get to move into our apartment until Saturday the 7th.  Thankfully Brinton and Amanda let us crash in their extra bedroom.  On Saturday we repacked the two cars and headed over to get our keys.  Our place in a nice 2 bedroom/2 bath, with quite a bit of storage space.  We are all unpacked and even have things on our walls.  It is strange to be living with a boy, and not my nontraditional roommates of mom and dad.  Here are some pictures of our place:

Kitchen with lovely cupcake decor.

Master bedroom

Crazy messy 2nd bedroom/soon to be office

The living room with my brother's art.

                                                  View of entertainment area and screened in patio.

The company I work for allows us to rent furniture witch is the greatest thing ever, even if we end up with a red couch and chair (not a big red fan).

Nick and I are going to try to get in as much touristy things before next Monday when I become a working girl.  We hope everyone back in Kansas is doing well and missing us enough to come visit!


-Megan