Homestead, Fl

It's amazing how fast the time goes when you think you have nothing to do!!

We spend time going into Hollywood to visit Caryn, Jason, and Brayden when we have a chance. It was great fun to help Brayden decorate the Christmas tree at his house.








Sometimes we stay home and enjoy entertaining friends from the RV Park. Friday night Francine and Gilles came over for Indonesian Steak Kabobs. We enjoyed a little wine, a good meal, "Fast Track" (the game) with some Amarula, a tasty after dinner drink Francine and Gilles brought from Quebec, and fun conversation!!








Brayden gets to stay overnight at Grampa's house every now and then. He is a fun little guy to have around.

Today's funny story: Mitch is cleaning the bird doo off his bike and Brayden says, " Maybe the birds needs some Pull-ups!"

Happy First Birthday, Macy!!!!

This is our darling miracle baby, born two months early just a year ago. She's still a little peanut, but has the bubbliest personality and is so much fun. She has two teeth and is crawling all over the place. She loves to feed herself, and is a little smarty. She'll "dance" if you tell her to, can wrinkle up her little button nose and snort with the best, and can make the sound of quacking when she sees a duck. Many more Happy Birthdays, Macy!!!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!! We spent the day at Caryn and Jason's. It was great to have Jason with us for the day--he is usually at work!

Jason was chief chef and Mitch was turkey chef, Caryn was line cook and general helper, I did dishes!!










Margie and Morgan (Jason's brother) were able to come over after Margie got off work.









We had a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with a twist. Mitch's turkey had lemon slices and herbs stuffed under the skin and was basted with brandy. The cranberries were cooked with apples, cloves, and star anise. The sweet potatoes were baked and mashed with something wonderful (but I don't know what it was--I just enjoyed eating it). Although Jason added sauted bacon and garlic, there's only so much you can do to canned French cut green beans (Mitch's favorite vegetable). And the dressing, mashed potatoes, and gravy were great. Mitch made the crust and I baked a pumpkin and a pecan pie. YUMMY DINNER!!!

South Beach

The daytime temperature has been around 84 degrees so we decided a trip to the beach was in order. Off we go to South Beach, home of beautiful sand beaches, beautiful blue water, lapping white waves...









and people!

Miami Homestead Speedway

Sunday was bright and sunny and we had decided to take in the NASCAR Sprint 400. The race was to begin about 3:00 but we got there (all of five miles away) around 11 a.m. and took in the sights, sounds, events, etc. of 85,000 spectators (I guess they all didn't show up that early!)








It was amazing! 43 cars zipping around and around and around and soon all we could hear was the zooming sound of the engines as the entire track was in use. That means we could not hear the announcer, nor could we hear each other! Only after 83 laps was there a caution and we could finally hear again. It was an experience--I guess I don't understand why some people chase from one race to the next.

The end of the race--Jimmie Johnson gets a check for over $6,000,000 and it takes us one hour 45 minutes to drive the five miles home!!!

Back in South Florida

This guy is a dead give-away that we are back in Homestead. Caryn and Brayden came out to visit on Saturday and after lunch and a nap at "Grampa's House" we took a trip to the Everglades. Mitch was excited--he got to buy his "Golden Age Pass", the National Park's pass for 62 year olders for $10 and doesn't expire until they do!







Brayden loved running on the boardwalk and looking at all the birds and the alligators. He looks likes he enjoys listening to Grampa's stories too!

The lady in the gift shop was very impressed when he chose an alligator book over a toy alligator.

Week 2 in Minnesota

The guys managed to get three deer on Monday morning so we needed to go back up north to frosty mornings and beautiful days. Mitch and Jim skinned and butchered, then cooked a wonderful rum marinated venison chops dinner (remember last weekend they read the venison cookbook).







We always enjoy the hospitality of Carol and Jim (Sarah's parents). Thanks for sharing your house, kitchen, and family!!











Saturday was a special day, Grandma Aggie (Jim's mom) celebrated her 92nd birthday. Sarah and brother Tony showed off a little bit for the kids.


The venison is in the freezer waiting for next summer, then Carol and Jim and Mitch and I grind up the venison and make summer sausage, breakfast sausage, and pizza sausage.










Back to the cities to spend a couple more days before we fly back to Florida.

This is Kitty Precious, Addy's special stuffed kitty cat from last year's hospital days when Addy went to the hospital for 55 days to visit Mommy while she was waiting for Macy to be born. Addy always makes sure Kitty Precious is taken care of but usually is firmly attached to the inside of Addy's elbow. Kitty Precious recently underwent a complete makeover.



We girls are singing songs and running circles around the house. It's fun and games !!!












Addy and Macy, we love you so much and will miss you until we see you in May.