Meet me in Miami...

The kids and I headed a few miles south to Miami earlier this week. Shane, Naomi and the kids were returning from their Bahamas cruise and stayed over in Miami before traveling back to Wyoming. We met them at their hotel then ventured to South Beach for some Florida sun.


A hot summers day and no set agenda... happy day!


Enjoying the beach and each others company.




Miami beach is not the place to collect shells. Searching the sand for a few to take home.

Megan worked very hard collecting ocean remnants to fill this empty water bottle then mistakenly forgot it at the restuarant. I had to include this photo for her...sorry Megan.



Done with the beach and time for some lunch. Rinsing off the salt and sand.




Cousins sharing a soda at the News Cafe.

BTW guys, I didn't tell you that the News Cafe was the last place Versace visited minutes before his death. He was returning home (two blocks south) from the restaurant/news stand when he was shot to death at his door step. Just a bit of trivia to store.


Ending the day with a dip in the pool.


Departing. Thanks for spending the day with us, travel safely and we'll see you again soon.

raising surfers II

Here is one of the video's I took of Ella today. She is doing great...so awesome!

Unlike the first clip from surf camp this clip does contain waves. The last few days of camp have been exciting for our little surfers. The ocean, looks like the ocean and not like a lake. They take a beating and surface with a smile ready to get back up again. Nerve racking yet thrilling to watch as a parent.

raising surfers

It's surf camp time...check out my little surfers in action.

Schools Out!

Can you see the rainbow? By the time I ran inside to get the camera it had began to fade away, so pretty. When I see this image I hear a rather large Hawaiian guy playing a ukulele and singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow...awww, I love that sound. I also love that the sight of a rainbow usually follows a good rain shower. Afternoon rain showers in Florida are a reminder that summer is officially here.


One more hour to go! Hello summer vacation goodbye second grade class.


Wipe down pencil marks on desk. Check. Gathered all items and stuffed them into a bag that can barely be carried. Check. Collected friends phone numbers and gave one last hug. Check. Sit and wait for the bell to ring while mom takes a picture. Done too.



Ella and her second grade teacher.


Another school year finished. Time just cruises by.


Jacks preschool class is in a building next to Ella's elementary school. After Ella was released we ventured over to his class for the last hour.


His teachers love him. He really is a teachers ideal student (at least so far). One last hug.


Last image of preschool, next year it's the big time.


After school we joined friends bowling. We tried for the park but given the time of day the rain chased us to the bowling alley.




Well here we go, summer vacation has begun. We'll keep you posted...

dance, dance and more dancing...

The past weekend was spent going from dress rehearsals to dance performances and juggling a few birthday parties in the mix.

It's a busy time of year but thankfully summer and it's lazy days are creeping around the corner. Let it begin, bring on summer vacation! Maybe soon I'll be able to catch up on my postings of family visits, birthday parties and weekend trips. Wait, who am I kidding... the kids are out of school it will be even crazier!


Flash photography and filming were not permitted in the auditorium so I was unable to get the actual dances. I did order a DVD of the THREE hour performance so if wanted you'll get to see it too.


When the show was over Ella wanted me to take photos of her and her friends on the stage. She has never performed on a real stage in front of a large audience before, I was surprised how relaxed she was, no big deal to her.


Posing for a photo with friends and her Jazz instructor Ms. Penny.


When I asked her what dance class she enjoyed most this year she said tap because she could be loud and make noise. Funny and true.


After the first performance we ate lunch and then it was back to the auditorium to get ready for the next show. What a long day she had.


Daddy's are good for all sorts of things especially keeping track of dance shoes.


Is it me or is someone starting to pose a bit for the camera.


Pretty flowers for our dancer. They looked so lovely sitting on her desk, I had to take a picture. Nice job little bug, you were wonderful. May you always have fun dancing. I'll forever enjoy watching you.