miami

We spent 5 great days with the Smith's in Miami just after Christmas. We stayed in a house and the kids loved waking up and playing in the pool. It wasn't heated and COLD, but they didn't mind:) We saw many different types of animals on this trip! We went to the SeAquarium, the Zoo, the beach, and the Everglades. Chad drove from Tampa to Miami to spend time with us all and the kids ate up all the attention he gave them! We watched fireworks by the port on New Years Eve and enjoyed Grandma's famous Rigatoni together. Oh...and the kids experienced other fine cuisine as well.....they had their first Krispy Kreme donut! Ella announced, "These are the best donuts in the world!" :) Thomas brought excitement to the trip as well... We lost him downtown Miami...YIKES! And he was stung by a Porteguese Man of War at the beach. Praise the Lord, he made it through both encounters just fine, but certainly gave us all a scare. Great times, great memories...thanks Smiths!:)

A Port. Man of War swimming by as we arrived at the beach. Thought it was pretty so I snapped a picture. Didn't know it (or one like it!) would be a huge memory for all of us this day...
Thomas recovering when we got home.



Grandma Sheryl and Great Grandma Freida made beautiful aprons for each of the kids.
Tom and Sheryl take each of the kids on a special trip when they turn 9. They gave Claire a camera for the trip which will happen this summer. She'll go to Yellowstone with them and CAN'T WAIT!




Thomas was THRILLED to get to meet Diego from Go, Diego Go!


Tom gave me a new zoom lens for Christmas and I absolutely LOVE it! Most noses aren't as cute as this guy's...I promise I won't take one of yours:)!!