Hurray! Kids!

Grandma Marlys, this is for you! Thanks for sharing your grandchildren with us!!! 

Matthew, who turned three on Saturday,

and his big brother, Andrew, who is five,

brought their parents, Kevin and Julie, to Florida this past week. They had been up in Orlando doing the Disney thing and convinced their parents it would be fun to visit the old folks down in Venice for the weekend. We were able to spend the day with them out at Paul's place, better known as Caspersen Beach.

Paul spends hours out on the beach. He showed Andrew how to sift for shark teeth.

Kevin got into the activity as well.

Julie took her boys swimming in the warm gulf waters. It was a beautiful day.

Matthew became one with the sand. Those boys put miles on that beach. It was fun to watch.

We gathered at Mary and Jim's for a birthday dinner that evening. Right before he blew out his candles, Matthew said he was wishing for a kitten.

And, then, while he was eating his cake he said, "This is the most wonderful birthday I ever had!"

Thanks for making our day, Matthew and Andrew and Kevin and Julie!!!  We were so happy to be able to share Matthew's birthday with your family. Come back!!!!!

A few things on our list before we go

We are wrapping up our stay in Florida for the year. Besides walking on the beach and spending time with family, we have visited a few other spots in the vicinity the past few weeks. Paul picked out some pictures and I'll just add a little narration as I see what he has chosen. Here goes!

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota was on our list of must sees this winter. They specialize in the study of epiphytes.

Obviously, the orchids are always a favorite of ours.

Where there are orchids, you will find Paul and Barb.

Paul, of course, easily rattled off all of the correct names as we walked through.

Me? I just say, "Oh, look at that spotted one over here! Wow!"

The gardens and grounds are incredible. Look at the root structure on these fig trees.

We went on a boat tour on the Myakka River, right by our campground, with Kent and Margie and her sister, Karen, brother-in-law, Jeff and nephew, Steve, who were visiting from Iowa.

This was another "must do" on our list. Just think, this guy lives two minutes from where we are staying!

There were a few more of his friends out there to greet us as we slid by in the boat.

They filmed Tarzan movies here in the 50's. It makes me want to watch them again to see if we recognize the river. I think it is beautiful!

We toured the Clyde Butcher Studio here in Venice and went to listen to him speak. Clyde is an incredible photographer/artist who lives in Venice and specializes in photographing outdoor scenery and specifically, the cypress swamps of the Everglades. Paul was fascinated with his photography studio. I was amazed they let us walk around and look at it! Next year, we want to take one of his swamp walks. We have family members who are freaked out by that concept, but that is another story!

After the lecture, we went with Beth and Gary to the North Jetty to watch the people, boats and dolphins.

And then we stopped at the Tiki Bar for a cold one. Life is rich!

The four of us also went to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary this week. Paul and I visited last January with Tom and Jayne. We had put it on our list for this March, because we wanted to see Spring in the cypress swamp. Luckily, it had rained the night before, so the resurrection fern were everywhere.

If you ever find yourself in the Naples area, go to Corkscrew Swamp.

Look very carefully, you can see a snake in the water lettuce. Paul, what was the name of that snake again?

Oh, yeah, a Florida Banded Water Snake. That's what they told us while we were watching it from the board walk. I only know garter snakes, being from the northern tundra and all. Do you think we'll see one next year when we actually go walking right in the water?

I can hardly wait! Talk to you soon.

Broderick (and some other people, too)!

We had a great visit with family and extended family this past week. Marge's sister, Karen and her family escaped from Iowa, Jim, Dave and Rosie ran away from Fargo and Jen and Eric and Broderick came in from Virginia. Little Broderick stole our hearts. He gets top billing here today. Here he is at Beth and Gary's on their first day, saying to Paul, "I think I know how you work this camera."

"Yeah! I've got it! Smile, Mom and Dad!"

The next day, Broderick experienced the beach for the first time. His opinion? "This place will have to grow on me."

Jen and Eric took a little side trip to Miami, providing an opportunity for Grandma and Grandpa McDougall to bond with their grandson.  Of course, the rest of us old fogies were pretty thrilled with the chance to get to know him as well.

The brothers caught up with each other.

Jim and Mary's home is a great gathering spot.

I think Mom would be happy to know we enjoy cooking and eating together! Jim, those kabobs were excellent!

We had one last picture of the whole group before the Iowa crowd left.

The next day the guys golfed at Pelican Pointe and cooled off afterwards in Kent's pool.

After another great meal, we enjoyed the super moon.

On Sunday, we took in some sights around Venice, starting with the jetty. Grandpa and Grandma McDougall took excellent care of their little guy.

Broderick rolled along beautifully with the older set.

He loved watching the birds and the boats.

He is one happy little boy.  I think Grandpa is, too!

One cannot put a price on family time.

I'm not sure, but I believe Broderick may have been enjoying his first taste of french fries and ketchup too much to enjoy the sunset at Marker 4. The rest of us took it in, though. This is the view from our table.

He charmed us all.  All too soon, the week was over and we had to say goodbye.

We can hardly wait to see you again. I hope you remember us!!

I have to check to see if Jim can get back to Fargo today. Bad weather up north held him at their Venice home one more day.

Don't you feel his pain?  I'll talk to you soon.

A little foreshadowing...

Life is good in Venice, Florida. We continue to be comfortable in our little cabin on wheels.

This morning, Paul and I finished making our arrangements for our trip home to Minnesota in April. I am not going to share the entire plan, but with throw a few hints your way.

We need to get a few pictures for some good friends who are big fans. That's the kind of friends we are.

We are planning to soak up some local culture and do some hiking on our way through the Ozarks.

Our last stop will take us to a judging class. Then, we will come home!!!

Dave and Rosie and Jen and Eric are coming to Florida this week. We are excited to see them. I hope they are prepared because we plan to spoil their little "B"! Talk to you soon.

Go Twins!

We went to a Twins game last Saturday afternoon.

A friend of Kent and Margie has season tickets to the Tampa Bay Rays, who play in Port Charlotte at Charlotte Sport Park, which is 20 minutes from Venice.

The stadium has been nicely renovated in recent years. We arrived early to watch some batting and infield practice.

Paul and I had seats right by third base.

After a couple of innings there, we moved down by Kent and Margie, who were sitting right behind home plate. We could really watch the bonding between the ump and the batters.

And, we could tell the ump if we agreed how he called the pitches. Kent was very good at that!

Twins won! Great day. Awesome seats! Thanks Kent and Margie! Glad your friend wasn't using them!

Next, we want to go to Fort Myers and watch the Twins at their "home" stadium. We'll talk to you soon. There's a botanical garden around here somewhere...