Thank you, Florida

I would like to take a moment and thank the great state of Florida, especially the specific cities of Pensacola and Panama City of being at their best last week. We could hardly contain our excitement as we were able to dip our toes in the warm emerald water on the white sand beaches. It was fabulous and beautiful! Grant couldn't get enough of the water and Katelee liked it as long as she stayed away from the wiggles (waves) that would "take her away forever."Brenna just liked sticking her tongue out to taste that salty sea air. She enjoyed the dolphins on our boat ride to Shell Island, feeling the sand and showing off her gut in her bathing suit!

I would like to thank the wonderful laundry fairies who reside in Florida, who magically pick up all of our dirty clothes and have it freshly washed when we return from any outings. That wonderful service has not followed us to our home, so I guess it is exclusive to that location.

A great thanks to Dave's family who hosted and cooked and were our own private hotel. The kids loved seeing an aunt, uncle, cousins (we are counting Droopie dog), grandparents and a great grandpa as well. We loved the Naval Air Station, the seafood restaurants on the beach and were so glad it wasn't too hot!

Thank you to all who were patient with us as we traveled on the plane...from Katelee yelling out to a nice lady sporting a cowboy hat "Hello cowboy Girl!" to the other passengers in our row who chuckled as Grant exclaimed he could see the whole world! Katelee explained she just could view Africa.

Ahh, Florida....we will see you again!

A Shout out and the Baker

Grant starting calling Brenna 'the Baker' when she was sporting this hat...I think the name is appropriate. Brenna, and the rest of the family would like to give kudos to Dave for his triumphant finish in the half marathon he ran Saturday. He shaved off his time from last year's half by 10 min, and he did it all in snow and freezing temperatures, without gloves and a head phone ear piece. We are all so proud! Dave claims he runs half marathon yearly so that he can eat what he wants throughout the year, train and run to loose the extra pounds. We have some interesting food issues at our house...I just love food...Grant, usually likes everything. Although, he has been tricky lately. Dave and/or I have walked into the bathroom by the kitchen to find partially chewed spinach or carrots in the little garbage can. He is going to have to be a little more stealthy to get away with that! Katelee has serious eating problems. The other day I asked her to eat a blueberry. She sweetly picked it up, clasped it between her hands in a prayer pose, and in a princess voice whispered, "I wish with all of my heart for this to break!" Alas, the blueberry was still there when she opened her hands and she had to consume the dreaded berry! I asked her to eat something else another day to which she replied, "I can't mom, because there is a stop sign in my mouth!"

Here the kids are helping Dave deliver breakfast for his CPA partners at work...they gladly ate a doughnut! I guess we all have our food battles!