The Last Day

After three long weeks, we're starting to pack up. It's the last day of vacation, and the last day of 2008.

Today we will go to the park and the beach for the last time. The weather has cooled into the mid 70s, but it's still sunny and dry. Yesterday we met the "Greats" for lunch; Liam was especially excited to see his "Pa-Pa" as he calls him.

After lunch, we found the Tampa Zoo (Lowry Park Zoo) and we were surprised to get in for free with our Point Defiance Zoo membership. This zoo was excellent, just as good as the Brevard Zoo. The difference is that the Tampa Zoo has rides for the kids, and there were many more people there. The best part was at the alligator area. I asked Liam how many alligators he saw. "Four Chomp" (his word for gators). Then he added "Three Caw" (his word for birds). I don't know how this is possible, but he got it right. He can count to four!

We have photos from the zoo (and the whole trip), but they will have to stay on the cameras another day or two until we get home.

Goodbye 70-degree days and warm, sandy beaches. Next stop, Seattle!

And Happy 1st Birthday Kaile! See you soon!

Hello from the Beach!

Here is a video postcard. Hope you enjoy.
A day at the beach!

Bean's Second Christmas

Merry Christmas from Florida! It's Liam's second Christmas, and he's happily sleeping in his bed. This morning Santa arrived, bringing him a Blue's Clues DVD, which is exactly what he has been asking for. Every morning he asks to watch 'Blue' as he does at home. But it isn't on TV here. So now he can watch whenever!


We went to church after opening presents. Liam behaved though most of the service. The rest of the crowd went to the beach after church while Liam took a nap. We will eat dinner in about an hour.

Thomas was excited to see a dolphin swimming not too far from shore while we were at the beach. But then again, he was also excited to see Santa getting arrested (in the back of a police car) on the way home from church. They head home to England and will be missed by all of us, especially Liam.

Miami, Nana and the "Greats"

We have been in Florida for a few weeks already. We have seen Nana, The Great Grandparents, Granny & Grand Dad, Thomas & Amy, and Uncle Trevor & Auntie Lynda. All were very surprised at how verbal and active Liam has become. Since we have been here, Liam says 'thank you' for everything - even things he doesn't really like or want.

When we arrived, it was muggy and warm, but the weather changed by the next morning, and for our four days in Miami (and Liam's four days in Sun City) the weather was rainy and cold. Luckily the weather changed on our fourth day, and until yesterday, we have had nearly 80 degrees every day.

While visiting the Great Grandparents, Liam wore Nana out. They played and had adventures all day long. They visited a fire station, where Liam met the firefighters and saw the fire trucks. It was sad to see Nana go home. We hope to visit again soon.

Here at the beach, we go to the ocean every day. At first, Liam was scared of the waves, and wouldn't walk on the sand. He kept saying 'no' and 'home' and he insisted on being carried. But once he saw his cousins having a great time, he joined them, jumping and crashing in the surf. He asks to go to the ocean every day and yells 'fun' over and over while we are there.

What may have helped with Liam's interest in the beach was a trip to Aquatica, which is SeaWorld's water park. Liam wore a tiny life jacket, and he spent the day floating, swimming and playing in the largest spray playground any of us have seen. There we also played at the beach, but this beach had warm water, and waves much gentler (and less frequent) than the ones in the ocean.





More soon!

Ready or Not... Here We Come!

Liam-

You are asleep. Daddy and I have everything packed for our flight tomorrow morning. We are going to Florida! You are so excited about going on the airplane. More details soon.

Love,
Mommy

Christmas Present

Liam and I watched the UPS driver walk around the park, looking for the right house. We discussed whether she drove a brown van or a brown bus. In the end, we agreed to disagree.

The UPS driver finally came to OUR house with this big box that was making race car noises. She and I both laughed, and she saw Liam and said "this must be for you!"

So, of course, we had to open the box.

It was a race car spiral ramp! Liam loves it. Thank you Auntie Katie (which he says himself at the end of the video).

Liam's Present

In other news, we're off to Florida in a few days. That means Liam's due for some kind of messy illness. It came a few days early; today in fact. He barfed all over the car on the way to the doc. He was supposed to get his hearing retested today. They took one look at him and rescheduled for January. He has been ok since then, so maybe he just had an upset tummy!