Wintering in Florida

We spent November thru March in Florida visiting family, close friends and making new ones. We spent time exploring Blue Spring State Park and Silver Springs State Park, though we didn't see the monkeys.

We discovered some interesting critters, like this largest grasshopper I've ever seen!

And these stick bugs. Look close, there are actually two here!

A crazy amount of raccoons live at one park in Sarasota.

While staying at Gina's, we were able to spend a day with C&D whom had rented a place on the beach at Lido Key for the winter.

Check out this "RV"! It's a mobile dog and cat adoption center. Each animal has it's own cage behind glass so that potential new families can see them. I think this is a great repurpose of an old transport bus.

 We began attending weekly classes at the library and the kids learned they could "join up" with other kids playing Minecraft on the library computers. This is when the, "Can we go to the library today?" DAILY request began.

Took the kids to the city dump and were absolutely amazed with the enormous, literal mountain of trash that is collected and brought here to die. We talked about the responsibility of limiting our own waste by reusing and recycling. Watching and identifying the crazy amount of birds, including a dozen bald eagles, kept me busy.

Of course I spent some time birding and was fortunate enough 

to return to Fort Desoto with my Pennsylvania birding friends.

The kids turned SEVEN and made their own cakes this year!

I participated in the Tim Tebow Foundation's A Night To Shine event, a prom celebration for people with special challenges in life. I had the pleasure of accompanying a young woman named, Lisa, to the event where she rode in a convertible corvette, walked the red carpet, and joined me for dinner together before dancing the rest of the night away! It was a wonderful experience and I would definitely encourage everyone to participate next year. This annual event is held in February all over the world!

Daddy published his very first book! Ten years ago, by the grace of God, he lived thru an awful ending to his deployment in Afghanistan, and now he's ready to share his experience with others on a larger scale.

While I was in Colombia, daddy took the kids to LEGOland with our Fulltime Families homeschool group.

The Gebbias came for a visit and so did Grandpa!

Oh and this happened..... 

brand new bird feeder vs. Florida Black Bear

Reroute for bonus family time

The plan was to continue south along the east coast, however the kids were REALLY missing their cousins. Being flexible is always good. We put it to a family vote and quickly rerouted to surprise the cousins!

But first we spent four days with my Aunt Janie and Uncle Barry. Since I moved away 15 years ago, we hadn't seen each other much over the years, so it was wonderful to spend time together and get to know them better.

They so sweetly decided to surprise the kids with an early birthday party! Balloons, cake and presents made this visit extra special.

Next we all headed to Columbus to see the rest of the family and watch my nephew's soccer game.

Grandpa and Grandma took us to the Bob Evans Farm festival where we 

ate elephant ears and funnel cakes and watched the lumberjack contest.

A few days were spent with our best friends in southern Ohio where we helped 

gather eggs from their chickens, worked on puzzles and the kids played Minecraft. 

Asher took our friend's motorcycle for a spin and loved it, uhoh! Kind of overwhelming 

to see your former 3 lb preemie doing something like this, but he's not so little anymore! 

I used to have a couple motorcycles before I moved away from Ohio, 

so it was fun to jump on one and ride with Asher for a bit. 

Journey wasn't ready to do it on her own, so Daddy took her for a little ride.

Back in Columbus, we had a four generation girl's sleepover with my mom and grandma. 

We made cookies, had dinner together and gave lots of love to Asa, who now lives with my mom. 

Journey introduced her great grandma to Facebook's new photo filters, which resulted in lots of laughter.

My mom and grandma took Journey to get her ears pierced

as an early Christmas gift. She's very happy about her new bling!

We had a delightful surprise when it snowed in October!

The girls enjoyed baking together.

I found matching dresses for the girls and soccer outfits for the boys.

And finally we attended my brother's annual Halloween party before heading south. This is always a fun time with his friends. Costumes are required, and this year one attendee took it up a notch when he entered as a silent grim reaper. The children were curious and followed him outside where he stood in the cornfields staring at the children for an hour before my brother approached him to find out his identity. With a touch of his bicep, he knew who it was, and the parents were relieved.

Dance party!