Florida Trip: Part 1

We left blizzard-like weather behind in Ohio and headed to Marco Island, Florida for Olivia's Winter Break. While it wasn't incredibly hot in Florida, it was certainly warmer than home and we were happy for the reprieve.

gray and chilly weather on our first day

the fire dancer on the beach - the kids loved it!

It was a little warmer on our second day there and we decided to rent bikes. We rode to a neat little park and the kids got some time to play before we biked back.

Later that afternoon, we took a dolphin tour. It was a pontoon boat with just the four of us, a husband and wife, and the boat captain. We went through the bay and were lucky enough to see a ton of dolphins! It was truly an amazing experience! I've included a video below. Hopefully it will work.

January Phone Pics

This goofball walked into the room carrying an inflatable alien,
with stickers on her face and a doll poncho on her head.

the first day of ballet

having pretend coffee

getting ready to head into the attic,
protecting himself against a possible squirrel attack

world's tiniest snowman

modeling a child size infinity scarf I made

Taped "whiskers" on her face

being a ham

Natalie's favorite book - a gift from Aunt Sarah

working hard at art class

pretty sunset

crying because I asked her to clean something up

December Phone Pics

We sure crammed A LOT of fun into December. Between Christmas-related activities and birthday parties, we also squeezed in visits to the zoo, children's museum, and Krohn Conservatory (see separate post).

wearing soccer jersey from Daniel

creating a masterpiece at art class

everyone concentrating on making the gingerbread house

Zoo lights

feeding goats with Carl

looking at the animals at the live nativity at St.Charles

bookworm

Where's Natalie?

friends at Shafor Park on an unseasonably warm day

beautiful tree of lights at Carillon Bell Tower

Olivia's first Daisy meeting

mesmerized by the train display downtown

checking out the Rike's Windows

helping decorate cookies for the Elf Shoppe

sisterly love

Rike's Windows again

sitting on Santa's lap at Shafor Park Winter Festival

waiting to visit Santa at Town & Country

nice pic

Linden's Birthday Party - Natalie's first time ice skating

Ian's Birthday Party at Aullwood Farm

everyone got to pick and take home an egg from the hen house

everyone also got to dip their own candles

can you tell Natalie enjoyed her chocolate cupcake?

Olivia decorating her "gingerbread" house at her school holiday party