Elliott Key--Key Biscayne National Park

It's time to have some fun in the sun--the weather has been a little under the weather--but today was supposed to hit the mid 70s. Friends Audrey and Bobby, who are from the Outer Banks area of North Carolina, brought their boat with them to our RV park. So we drove the seven miles to the marina and took off to Elliott Key, seven miles across the bay at Key Biscayne to the reef.


We played some bocche ball, had a little lunch, did some hiking, and hung out on the beach. We saw a large mackerel fish, a sea turtle, and a bunch of dolphins. This picture isn't of us, but it looks like a great way to spend the day!






Gilles and Francine









Thanks, Bobby and Audrey, we had a great time.

February Full Moon

The weather is getting a little warmer--just a few clouds in our night sky.

Minnesota Revisited--Addy on the Move, Macy too!

Addy is a busy little gal and we got such a kick out of her. She loves to run and make the appropriate noise, and of course she has to have both hands full. She said, "Gampa running too," and away they went. Kaiser could not be left out of the fun.

Figured we had to have a video of Macy, so here she is--not quite the activity nor chatter that Addy provides, but what a wonderful little bundle!!

What should we do tonight?

We can come up with seven different answers to that question depending on the night. But tonight it was a trip to Miami Jai Alai. A great game to watch and a little fun betting. Mitch was the big winner--covered his bets, our $4 to get in, and a little snack--that's big time betting!!



Bobby is usually the one who wants to get out and about, but it was Audry who hadn't been to a Jai Alai game since the '70s. We all had fun!

First Annual Palm Garden Rib Fest

Mitch had heard the Quebecois really didn't care much for ribs, so we figured we Americans would enjoy a little get together. One of the English speaking guys wrote up an English/French sign up sheet and next thing Mitch is cooking for 50.

Neigbor Norton is learning the finer points of boiling the ribs.






Then came the grilling--that drew a crowd!




We were able to use the Community Center for the sitting down and eating part which worked really well. A nice dinner of ribs, home-made potato salad, baked beans, and warmed bread and butter was served buffet style.





The event went to the birds--at least this one--Tango, who enjoyed his rib dinner as much as anyone!




Evidently the Quebecois enjoyed the ribs too. They gave Mitch a rousing round of applause!

Happy Birthday, Brayden!

Brayden is two years old already and the theme of his birthday party was "Airplanes!"

















Caryn made a cupcake airport complete with clouds and runway. There were airplanes all over the place.

















Brayden wanted a "geen one" but was more intent on getting the frosting off the airplane than eating the cupcake.





He eventually collected all the airplanes and lined them up neatly in front of him.






It was a busy day with all his grandparents there. Jason's Dad and Stepmom came from Indianapolis and brought cousin Khloe. They also brought the "Harley" rocking horse that Steve had designed and made. It is fabulous!







Jason made some wonderful ribs and we had a great BBQ dinner.

Keeping busy in Homestead

We've learned a new game. The Quebecois have taught us Petanque (Patonk), a team game played kind of like Bocche Ball, with each person having two tennis sized metal balls that you throw in the sand trying to get closest to a little red ball (piggy) that the first person throws out to get the game started. We even play it under the lights!





Faye and Marie, I'm thinking about you as we do our water aerobics Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The interesting twist is that out of the ten gals that come only two or three speak limited English so we do a lot of "show and tell"!







Guess who showed up in our neck of the woods? Or at least close enough for us to get together for dinner and a game of Catch Phrase--which had us laughing so hard. Pat and John are good friends we met last winter in Orlando, and have run into them numerous times on our travels ever since. Pat gave me one of her terrariums after I commented that she and John were lucky because real plants are great air filters and are healthy for you and I didn't have any anymore. Now I have a daily reminder of Pat and John.