Part II

When in Florida you must do a few things...beach, beach, beach, and see alligators!  We have done the beach a few times already and we love it more and more each time.  But now it was time to find the alligators.

Ignoring all warnings (it's really very safe) we headed off on a hike along the river.

As we walked we noticed this dark spot across the river from us.  None of us could tell what it was so I decided to zoom in and take a pic.  Later, when I got home, I would look at the pic on my computer and see.
BINGO!  Our first spotting!

Later on we found another...

 And another...

and another!  The guide said that we wouldn't probably see many alligators on shore sunning because it was just too hot...

there always has to be one smarty pants!

Tomorrow Part III-the other creatures!!

Myaaka State Park, FL

Part I!

The canopy bridge!

This was cool...it took you over 70 feet high.  You could see the entire park and get a real perspective of the terrain.  The kiddos loved it...so did I!

A cool perspective.  The bridge is probably 30 feet off the ground and I am 40 feet above that. 

Zander!

 The view of the tree canopy at the top of the tower.  It's hard to tell how dense this is.

...and the view from the below!

The kiddos and I.

There's a story here.  A lot of palm trees fall but don't die.  They end up growing sideways and heading for the sun once again.  This tree was one of them.  We took a couple pics before this one above...I was standing in them.  Then all of a sudden...CRACK...tree fell all the way to the ground.  I was in the exact same spot and you can see I am no longer standing.  Thank goodness no one's feet were caught underneath. 

Part II tomorrow...hint...they are reptiles and they are ugly!

It FINALLY quit raining!!!

We were able to spend the entire day outside...it's been raining like nothing I have seen.  CRAZINESS!

We hit the beach once again!

 Everyone's favorite new boogie board!

Zander loves the water!

 Sandy toes!  Sand...the hardest part about the beach especially when you are driving your Mother-in-Laws beauty of a car!!!  We managed with just a bit of sand coming home with us. 

Underwater fun!!!

When we bought our little digital camera years ago, we thought to buy an underwater case for it.  It has been priceless.  Carl and I and the kids have all enjoyed the amazingly cool pics we have taken.  I highly recommend thinking about it in deciding on your next camera. 

Miss Katia! 

Mr. Zander!

Miss Lilijana (upside down)!

We are going to be in FL for a bit longer so look for more of these to come...so fun!!!  Next we will take it to the beach and see what we see in the big blue ocean.  There is a beach just a few minutes from us that is usually full with sanddollars...could make a great photo.

As you can see, I haven't been sewing too much.  We have just been too busy with a lot of fun.  That's what the summer is for though.  I am missing it though...I will work on my embroidery for the time being.  

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July!

St. Armand's Circle, FL

This was fun!  We took today off and enjoyed driving the islands along the W. coast of FL.  It was a little cloudy which kept the heat down and we had a nice day.  Carl and I do this drive nearly every time we come down and visit and it's usually without the kids...on a night out.  This time the kiddos went with us...good fun!

First we stopped at St. Armand's Circle and had Ben and Jerry's (you have to do some pleasing of kiddos  after a drive).  I love this place!  I used to have to make Carl go here with me, this time we all enjoyed.

The boat in the background is a promo for the annual boat races that go on down here the weekend of the 4th!  Very nice treat for the boys in the group!


These sidewalk restaurants are so popular and so Florida.

Window shopping!!

I love the store fronts...I didn't go into many of them but there were a couple that were irresistable.  This was one of them...I think I will have to embroider this sign and incorporate it into something...LOVE this. 

This chandelier was just to-die for!! 

I am not too beachy in my regular life but I just love this stuff when I get down here.  Maybe I should do one room in my house like this...a bath or laundry...hmmm!  (sorry for the bad pic)

Love this too...the red, the wicker and the seashells go so well together.  Love that too.

Then we headed to the marina to see all the big, beautiful boats...

and the pelicans!  Love the pelicans!

Now this is a nice place for a glass of pinot...we didn't but it would be nice!

After this we hit the beach for some late afternoon swimming and shell hunting!

A great afternoon was had by all!