Family Trip to Florida, 2008

We recently got back from a Daetwyler family vacation to Florida. This is an annual event in the Daetwyler home. Much to our delight, at the last minute every eligible member of the family was able to make it. I say eligible, because Elder Mike, the missionary in Spain, could not make it...for obvious reasons.

Anthon recently had a scary experience with water, so he was reluctant to get anywhere near the pool or the ocean. He was so anti-beach and anti-pool that Shelley and I really began to question our future beach/resort vacations possibilities. I mean, he hated the beach. Hated the sand, hated the waves, hated the pool, hated everything. He only wanted to be inside. Over time, and thanks to a huge blow up Shamu toy given to him by his Aunt Diana and Uncle Danny, Anthon ventured into the pool and ventured into the ocean and eventually had a lot of fun - diving and swimming and braving the waves. It saved our vacation...and perhaps future ones as well.

Click on the picture below to see a number of photos taken by me, Shelley or Shelley's father, Ed.



Or...click on the picture below to see a short video of Anthon dumping sea water on my head, jumping into the pool, swimming and driving a boat...all in one family vacation.

Another Sunburn

A quick trivia question for you all - can you tell which parts of my back came into contact with suntan lotion and which parts didn't? Let me tell you, that's the last time I use spray-on suntan lotion.


I have a knack for getting sunburn on the very first day of becah vacations. I don't set this as a goal, it just happens. The night after I got burned, as we were saying our family prayers, I could have sworn Shelley said, "and please bless that Tony's sunburn won't hinder us from having a good time in Florida." Shelley contends, however that she said me instead of us! For the record, I didn't let the sunburn hinder my having a good time, except I did fry my scalp a few days later.

So, I was rolling on the beaches of Florida sporting a t-shirt and hat towards the end of the week. Nothing says 'advanced age' and 'uncool' like some dude hanging out on the beach or wading in the water with a t-shirt and hat...but that was me. I really feel bad that Shelley has to be married to someone like that!