Martin Luther King Day

School was out for the day, so it was off to the zoo again--this time we took Jeff and he seemed to have as much fun as the kids! (Amy was walking a little slower this time than when we went before. Little baby is getting bigger!)

It was a cool day, meaning both fun and temperature-wise for Florida, but we didn't let that bother us. It seemed that most of the animals weren't too bothered either.

The little ones we took with us didn't seem to mind the cold either!

I have to admit I'm a zooaholic! I love the zoo! I think I've been to just about every zoo in every city that I've either lived in or visited. I can't think of any place that is more educational--or fun--and it gets the kids out in the open air!

By far the most popular animal, though, is still the gator! These happened to be crocodiles--but the kids still called them gators.
And since Jeff has now become as much of a Gator fan as most of the rest of the family--he has to give the Gator-chomp to show his love for them!

Well, as always, bye for now!

Christmas Vacation is Almost Over!

I wish it could last much longer--I guess I'm a little like Garrett. When I was taking down the tree, he said, "Oh, no. I want Christmas to last forever!" The two week vacation and all the events have been so wonderful, but come Monday morning, it's back to work and school for everyone, except Isaac and Amy.

We got to do one final fun thing during the vacation--we went with Craig and Cassie to Chuck-e-Cheese. At first, it was fun to just watch the kids playing.

But soon, everyone got in the act--especially Craig and Cassie!

One of the workers said he had never seen anyone win so many tickets on "Deal or No Deal" nor be so excited as we all were when Craig got down to the final two suitcases. He chose right and took the deal and won a grundle of tickets.
Then he and Cassie had to take each other on in the basketball shooting contest. It was very exciting. Can you tell how competitive they both are! But finally, Craig won the jackpot by getting the most points in shooting baskets in a certain time limit. All of a sudden the sirens were going off and people were cheering. Seriously, it was amazing!

Garrett and Isaac got to pick their "enormous" gifts, and we all went home happy.
Saturday, we have worked in the garage and cleaned out one storage unit for Jeff and Amy. Not so fun, but very rewarding. Everyone is dead tired, and Craig and Cassie still had to drive home an hour and a half. Thanks, Craig and Cassie, for all your help!

Monday morning at 5:30 a.m. will come too soon!

What a Difference a Couple Thousand Miles Make!

Yes, we are now back in sunny Florida! The weather is now in the low 70s--how can there be that much difference in weather only a few short thousand miles in between?!

Anyway, Craig and Cassie came back from Louisiana after enjoying a wonderful week with her family there. We now could enjoy them here. The first thing we did was go to the zoo!

We found a little feather friend who Amy taught to get up on her arm. I was impressed with all of those who tried it! (Not me!)

Garrett and Isaac love to have Craig and Cassie come. They are getting great training for some day when they will have their own. (No announcement yet!)
The greatest thing about the Jacksonville Zoo is obviously, first, the animals, but also, how interactive and educational it is! Monkey see--monkey do!

Garrett sitting in a nest on an egg.

Coloring animals.

Even the restrooms have a wall-full of animal "poo" so that you can identify it in the future!

We love to eat lunch in the Jaguar restaurant. If you are patient, they come strolling right past the window!

Garrett and Isaac's favorite animals of all were the alligators!



So long for now, Zoo, we'll be back again soon!