Florida 101

These are some memories from Florida. This is the photo from the airline flight home - Sam screaming and Grace sleeping vertically. It was weird I was taking photos but this is what we will look back upon someday.

Standing in the back of the plane.

Fishing for fish - literally they were sick of it after 4 minutes.
All week, they raced to press the elevator buttons first... floor 17.

Gram Palmer made us ice cream sundaes!!

The manatee mailbox in Gram's neighborhood.

Gramp and Papa at their home. I love this photo because Grandpa bought Gram a rose for Valentine's day... it was on the table. Gram gave Grandpa a card that said, "to the man I love!"

We took a trolley from the parking lot to the church doors. So fun!!

Our family decked in Lilly P and palm trees! Thank you Aunt Jen!

This shows the beautiful view from the condo. Nate reads a lot of Princess novels to our girls.

My parents are firm believers in playpens because we all grew up in playpens. So they got one from the condo to use for the week and Sammy LOVED it! Go figure.

The girls playing in the cold water.

Gram talking to Sambo.

Precious Photo.

My favorite photo of all:

Goodbye Sun, Hello Snow

We are happy to be home sweet home. Here are a few photos from our lovely trip to Florida. I will add more in the next few busy days.

Buster loved the sand!

Florida sun and fog

The flight was great. Nate sat up by himself and I sat with the three kids in three seats on the airplane. I was laughing at Sammy the whole time as he ate his push-pop, pressed the light buttons, and said hi to everyone walking back to the bathroom. The kids had fun at the beach and pool today. Ben and Jerry's tonight was fabulous.

Yesterday Rita was in her car seat and said, "I like you Grace. I can't stop loving you." It was so funny! My dad has three boat docks down here that he rents out and was showing them to Grace. Grace said, "That is so kind and giving of you Papa to let the boats park there."

Trying to pack for Florida!

Hearts for God Banquet

Last night, in response to the what the world views as Valentine's Day, the men at church put on a lovely and elegant evening to pamper the ladies in our church. I invited 4 of my MOPS friends to join me. We enjoyed white linen tablecloths, candles, and a wonderful meal. The men do everything (childcare, food, decorations, etc).

Cheryl is cracking me up in the photo.

Ellis was trying to talk to me!! Carrie brought her 4th child -
"6- week" old Ellis. He is really 7 1/2 weeks but 6 weeks sounds better!

Another update: The principal of our local elementary school emailed me about a tour. She was very accomodating and kind in the email. I am anxious to tour the school.

McDonalds Valentines

Gracie and Ritie had to make Valentines for their preschool classmates this week because we will be in Florida during their Valentine's Day Party. We didn't see any we liked at Target so we just made some on our own. The preschool has a strict rule about Valentines cards - no food or candy. So how did we get around that rule? We gave every kid a Valentine with a McDonald's coupon for a free ice cream cone, hamburger, french fry, etc. Grace was so funny because the kids she loved got an ice cream cone. The kids that she doesn't care for as much got the apple dippers!!!

Birthday Twins

We went to our ballet class yesterday afternoon and the girls love it so much! We have another friend who meets us there. We share the same name - Andrea - and our sons have the same birthday - Aug 4, 2007! Birthday TWINS! She is pregnant again with her third!

Any Mail today?? We love our mail slot although it means we have cold air in our house.

Then we went to Starbucks - my mom had a coupon for a $2 new tea drink. It was weird, hot tea mixed with juice or milk. We had to trade it in because we didn't like it!! The barista at Starbucks knows me. Not from church or the neighborhood, but because we I got with my friend Andrea, he says, "oh drinks for double Andreas!" Really funny.

Grace took this photo. She would be a good undercover cop.

Sam liked the Chai Tea.

My girls go to preschool at a lovely little church within walking distance of our house. Every Wednesday night, they have what we call "Dollar Dinner." Adults are a buck, kids are free. I took my mom last night, she is visiting from Florida. She ended up in the church library reading books to the kids after dinner.

I have a new friend coming over this morning and I can't wait. She had twin little girls - Ava & Lily - Sammy's age that are just DARLING. One thing cool about her is that she wants to start a dessert cafe... so we have a lot to talk about!

Lastly, we have finished touring the four private schools that we are interested in. I would like to look at the local public elementary school but when I called, I was told, "We don't do that." I emailed the principal and explained that I need to make a decision soon and have a "special situation" and will let you know what she says. Meanwhile, we have two definite loves and that is great! Nate is going to do a "Dad's Tour" on Friday morning at one last school and then we will take the next step. Thank you for your interest in our lives!!

lots of things that are in the works...

A friend is taking us to the airport at 5:30 AM in exchange for a night of babysitting her kids. We still need to find someone to pick us up in DC on Feb 17 but that isn't such a crazy early hour - 4PM. Thank you everyone!

We sent in our application to one of the private schools and I am touring two more in the next two days.


I am working on a craft for my MOPS group... we are going to design some frames with paper, embellishments and Modge Podge. If you have suggestions, send them my way!


Nate is going away for a guys weekend on March 6th with some friends. Anyone want to come and visit us???


Here are some photos...


Sambo in his room (he is the only one in the house with his own room!)


Rita at the Nutcracker at Christmastime (it was her 3rd bday)


Ready for church on Sunday