Everglades National Park

Pat and Donald and we decided to "do the Everglades." We took the 38 mile drive to Flamingo (kind of the end of the road) and then slowly headed back.

The first stop was Eco Pond. We found birds and gator tracks. It's somewhat disconcerting to see the tracks come out of the pond and not know where the alligator went from there.

I still find the palm trees fascinating. This one was especially beautiful against the blue, blue sky.

We brought a little lunch and ate "out."

Alligators

We worked our way back up the road and stopped off at any spot that looked interesting. This first guy was just laying there inviting us to come closer to take a close up.


There were more alligators out than we had ever seen before. The Anhinga Trail is a boardwalk through the swamps and, besides the birds, it was filled with alligators.

Shark Valley--north Everglades

Pat and Donald decided they hadn't had enough of the Everglades so we headed for one of the northern entrances to the park and found more fascinating wildlife--more birds and more alligators. But on the walk we were up close and personal!



Pat and Donald are "birders" so we learned a lot about birds. We checked them out through the binoculars and double checked them in the bird book. There always seemed to be other people around who knew stuff too.




The last picture is an anhinga drying his wings in the sun after a swim in the water.




Click on any picture for a close up look at these beautiful birds.

Baby 'gators

After seeing the huge guys laying around, it was interesting to find the little ones. They were so cute!

Everglades Tower

We also had an opportunity to climb the tower out in the middle of the Everglades and got a bird's eye view of the park.

Biscayne National Park, Homestead, FL

It's always great to run into friends from New Jersey that you met in Indiana at a visitor center in Florida. Anyway, we spent the afternoon with Pat and Donald and ended up at Biscayne National Park.

If you click on the park picture for a close up, look between the palms and you can see the Miami skyline sitting on the water.

Painting Caryn's house

While I was in Minnesota Mitch was busy helping Caryn get their house ready to paint. They moved wires, patched cracks, pressure washed, primed, and other stuff. Then we had the painting party. Even Brayden got into the act.

And the house looks great!

The boys, new shoes, and a walk

Grampa and Brayden both got new shoes, and they matched.

Taking a walk in the new shoes is fun!

Brayden walking

Brayden has been practicing walking and does a pretty good job.

Brayden playing peek a boo

Brayden and Grampa like to play games!

Brayden and the cat

This is a cute movie Caryn sent a while ago.

Back to Florida

Ah, from one baby to another. Grandparenthood across the country. What a way to go!

Brayden had a welcome back smile for his grandma, and of course we had to play. He made the noises and I made the "car" go. What fun!

Addy and hair

Well my stint in Minnesota is over, and did I have a good time. Grandchildren are truly a special gift from God. It was so fun to play and cuddle with a little one again.

Here Addy is after an especially "hard day at play!". You got to love that hair!

Two babies

Do these two babies look alike? Well, maybe they do! The first baby is Addy, and the second baby is me. Everyone seems to think Addy looks a little like her daddy, but Jim, Sarah's dad, thinks Addy looks like her grandma. So I dug out an old picture and I think he's right! Those babies are cuties!!

Addy talking to her toy

Addy having fun at home

Cute little Addy

Addy and the speaker phone

Sarah, this one's for you!

A message from Addy to her Mommy

"Hi, Mommy. I miss you, but I am being a good girl and am having a good time with Dad and Gramma.

This is me in my jungle and I thought if you feel like you're in a jungle, you could grab life by the tail and just smile a little. Time will go fast.

I know it's your birthday today and we didn't get to celebrate together. But Gramma put three candles in my supper bowl and we sang Happy Birthday to You. I love you!!!"

Hi from Addy

This message is from Addy: "I had a good snoozie, Mommy, and Daddy and Kaiser made me laugh. I hope your flight was good. I ate a good supper, had fun in the bathtub, and went to bed like the good girl that I am. I love you."

Addy drinking water

So it is a new year and there's something about trying to teach old dogs new tricks. Well, my new trick is putting videos on the blog. Check this one out. It couldn't get cuter!

Turn up the sound and click on the arrow (you might have to click, then wait and if nothing happens, click again).

Outside in Minnesota

The weather is just fine for playing outside--if you're bundled up. So on goes the snowsuit, then into the sled. Addy loves the outdoors and doesn't even mind the little pink nose at the end of the ride!

Good Morning from Addy

"Good Morning, Gramma!"

Addy is the reason I'm in Minnesota. Sarah is doing some job training and Shayne is busy at work, so I get to play and play and play.

Mitch stayed in Florida to "man the fort", play with Brayden, and help Caryn paint her house.

Welcome 2008

It is the beginning of a new year and we are truly blessed. Whatever the new year brings, may God travel with us!

January 1 brings us to our new home in Homestead, Florida. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, the trees are green, Mitch is back in his shorts, and we already have new friends (some of them speak only French)!

January 2 brings me to Minnesota. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, the ground is white, and it's two degrees below zero! What am I doing here?!