South Florida, Take 2

Beware, lots of pictures ahead of what we have been up to the past couple of weeks. The boys have gone fishing several times with my folks and they love it. They catch fish every time...the secret, use hot dogs as bait!

Nathan and I went out for a breakfast date at the beach one morning and found this guy running around.

It was a beautiful morning to be at the beach, lots of people were out enjoying the morning.

That afternoon, my parents and Aunt Gail took Caleb to see the Minions movie. He loves going to the movie theater and everyone had fun.

While they were at the movies, Nathan and I had a cupcake date with Benjamin.

Last weekend, my good friend Lauren from high school hosted a BBQ at her home so we could get all of our good girl friends together for a visit. We had a fun day visiting and all the kids swimming, and the boys enjoyed their two little dogs. 

This was our signature pose in all of our high school pictures...brining back the old days, 18 years later!

The next day we had an open house at my Aunt's house for my parents and a few other friends of mine to visit. 

I was talking to so many people that I completely forgot to pick up my camera until the end of the party, and was glad to get this picture of my parents with my mom's best friend since high school, Linda and her husband Howard. I love her dearly, and was so glad they were able to come see us.

Later that evening, Marissa and Henry joined the boys and I at a nearby park to play.

We enjoyed some McDonalds after a good sweaty play.

Another day my mom, the boys, and I went to Butterfly World. It's a beautiful garden with lots of...butterflies! If you stay still for long enough, they will land right on you. Needless to say, no butterflies landed on us, but we had some fun close encounters.

There were gorgeous, colorful, exotic flowers from around the world.

Next stop was the suspension bridge that took us to the bug museum and zoo.

Caleb learned about different types of scorpions and spiders, and Benjamin found a few banana spiders hanging around. It was a fun way to spend the morning.

Nathan, the boys, and I went to visit Paula, Jimmy, and Marina in Key Largo for a few of days. We always look forward to some good relaxation time with their family when we visit Florida. We had three days of swimming in different pools and the beach, a boat ride, lots of playing, and a great time just hanging out.  Marina was so good with the boys, and they had a blast with her too.

First day swimming all afternoon at the Big Chill.

View from the pool area.

That evening Marina was teaching Caleb how to catch crabs at their dock.

Beautiful sunset from their back yard.

Marina and Caleb were two peas in a pod. After a hard day of play, these two cuddled up each night to watch cartoons.

The next day we went to Founders Park and had a fun day of swimming in the beach, pool, and a splash pad.

The water was so shallow, warm, and beautiful!

Splash pad time.

Later that evening, Nathan took the kayak to the bay. 

The next day we went out on a boat ride to the bay and ocean.

Looking down their canal before entering the mangroves.

The canal to the bay is lined with mangrove trees on both sides. The water was very shallow and clear.

Ready to cruise.

Caleb kept saying ahoy matey!

We even found a castle on the water.

Gorgeous Marina Lily :).

Auntie Paula let the boys take turns driving.

Love you dear friend, thank you for the fun visit!

Another day,  my mom's cousins John and Mary from Montreal came to visit. It is always wonderful to spend time with them, and they enjoyed seeing the boys.

Later that day we took a ride down memory lane. We drove around Plantation, the town where I grew up, and we drove into my old neighorbood.

 

This was the apartment where I grew up. We moved there in 1983, and my parents sold it in 2002. The lady who bought it from my parents still lives there and was out on the patio when I walked by so I introduced myself.

I have lots of good childhood memories riding my bike, playing tennis, and swimming, and playing with friends in this neighborhood.

Yesterday afternoon, we had a quick visit with my good high school friend Priscila and her 3 kids. We met at a park to play, but a big thunderstorm moved in quickly so our visit was cut short. Priscila and Ayden, her oldest who is almost 9. Her other two are twin almost 6 year olds, Kyle and Luke.

All 5 kiddos.

Old friends :)

And just the other day....we got our first swimmer! Great job Benjamin :).

It has been very nice to spend time with my family, extended family, and to see old friends. We are thankful for this time in Florida. In just a few days we will be off to Jordan to begin our family new adventure.