Circle of Life

One day this week while Dave was home alone (thankfully), he spotted this hawk in the tree outside of our living room.  He watched as the hawk swooped in and grabbed what looked like a mourning dove, and while he shook the feathers off and ate it.  Have to say I'm glad Grace and I weren't there to witness it;  not sure how I would have explained that one. 

This is one of the photos Dave took...

More Florida Photos

I upped my storage and can finally post some more photos from our trip...

Bluegrass at the Venice pavilion

Grace loved the music and the company

Trying out her new Grace-sized flip-flops from Grampa

The best (by far) sunset we had

This raccoon was on our fence one afternoon

Mom found this live Florida Horse Conch at low tide

I think they're called black skimmers (if I'm remembering right)

Grampa carrying a sleeping Grace 1.3 miles from Stump Pass

Cheeze!

She missed her Papa soooo much!

Grace loves this new mode of transportation

Dolphins at the jetty

Watching the fisherman (and women) on the jetty

I've got hundreds more, but I'll try to stop with these. 

The Things I'll Remember...

On every vacation I've ever been on, certain memories remain and take me back to that particular place in time.  In reality, only a moment here and there have survived the test of time.  Fortunately, I have this blog to document all of those little things I don't want to forget.  And, although I took a ridiculous number of photos while we were in Florida, most of those special moments don't have a picture to go along with them.

A few of my favorite things...

 Grace's rendition of  "Hey, Good Lookin'" - "I got a flip-flop Ford and a two dollar bill, and I   know a spot right over the hill."  was my favorite line, and how she got a real twang going when she sang,"brand-new recipayyyyy."  If there was a soundtrack to our trip, that was it.

Morning walks on the beach and the excitement of going out at low tide to look for shells and sharks' teeth.

Grace's new love of waitressing.  She used Dad's laminated, tri-fold Florida shell, fish and sea life guides as menus.  She often times wouldn't let us order what we really wanted.  She'd shake her head and say, "No, we don't have that."  But, she always had chicken tenders and bird food to offer.  When she wanted her order taken she'd demand say, "Order me, Grandma!  Order me!"  Grandpa even bought her her own little notepad and pen for taking orders. 

The fresh seafood.  My favorite meal was at Pelican Alley, where we frequented almost daily.  Blackened Mahi with black bean puree and garlic aoli.  So good. 

Spending time with Aunt Kay and Uncle Dick.  We were all amazed at Dick's talent for singing and playing the guitar.  Grace was very quickly smitten with them both. 

 Cool discoveries like a real, live Florida horse conch in its shell that Grandma spotted at low tide one day.  The jelly fish that Dad maneuvered onto the beach with a large stick,  just so I could get a good shot with my camera.   The dolphins that swam around by the jetty. 

When I asked Grace what her favorite part of the vacation was and she simply said, "Papa." ( Dave didn't arrive until Saturday evening- He missed his flight early Friday morning).  Although I was really ticked at the time, we were all so happy he could at least spend one full day with us. 

An original song by Grace entitled "Privates in the Morning."  She cracked herself up with it on the plane ride down to Florida.  A little embarrassed by the lyrics, I tried to encourage her to sing quietly, but she just sang it even louder. She already likes to embarrass her mother.

Orange ice cream at Nokomis Grove

The "Lorny-Dale" - an open-face, olive loaf sandwich (Dad ate one daily)

Lots of fun with my camera.

Sunsets.

Pepe the parrot, who lives at The Crowe's Nest restaurant .  Grace was so fascinated that a bird could actually talk.  He always had a lot to say to her. 


A few more challenging things:

A two year old with a real attitude at times.

Blisters.

The aforementioned missed flight.

Picking up a stomach bug on the way home.  


We had such a great time with my parents in Florida; I wish I could sear each day into my mind forever.  I'm so grateful to them for inviting the three of us to join them in Florida-something we could have never done on our own financially.  God used the time to bring us closer together as a family, and to remind me of His awesome power and love. What a blessing...

So...

I looked down at Grace tonight, and she had taken a tampon out of its wrapper and was putting it down the front of her pants.  I couldn't help but laugh.  I asked her what she was doing and she said, "I'm having my period."  I told her, "You probably won't have your period for another ten more years."  She then replied, "I'm older enough for peanut butter, and I'm old enough for my period!" 

Oh, if she only knew what she was in for...

Life is Good

Temps have been on the rise here, thank goodness.  I was actually able to wear a short-sleeved shirt outside for part of the day today.  Although we are very excited for Papa's arrival on Friday, I am already having anxiety over the fact that it will indicate having only three more days left of sunny Florida.  I don't want to go back.  I want to stay.  I think Grace is rubbing off on me; I feel like throwing a tantrum.

Meanwhile, back in Michigan...we got word yesterday that our bid on the HUD home in Freeland was accepted.  (We withdrew our first bid, then were out-bid, then that deal apparently fell through, and then last Friday we were able to bid yet again, this time at a lower price.  We are super excited about this house and praying all goes well with the closing process.  You can see the house HERE.

I've been doing a lot of dreaming about this new house and thinking I might eventually try to start a photography business of my own.  It has the perfect office just off the entryway, and lots of potential for a little studio.  Lots of work to do between now and then.  We'll see.  I sure do love my little subject, and am so glad she has gotten used to a camera being in her face much of the time.

Here are more photos from the past couple of days:

 This one "cracks" me up

She's nothing if not dramatic

Our daily beach trek

The park down the beach

Hunting for sharks' teeth

Well, I just got notice that I have to purchase more storage on Blogger.  Bummer.  Since I don't have a secure network to make a credit card purchase, I'll have to wait until we get home to post more photos. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

FL in BW

I think my flip-flops have been her favorite 
part of our whole vacation

Great times with Aunt Kay and Uncle Dick (and Wilson)

Looking for shells with Gramma

Baby manatee

So many manatees

A new hat from Grampa