Kayaking with the manatees

We went to Crystal River the "Nature Coast" for the weekend.  It is only 2 1/2 hours from Sarasota, but this is where most of the manatees come to stay warm in the winter.  The river has many springs that keep the water at about 72 degrees, a temperature that works for the manatees.  

 We happened to be up there during the manatee festival--which was mostly arts and crafts, but fun.  We started our day at Just a Cupcake for lunch with a treat of a manatee cupcake for dessert.

 Those big rocks next to our kayak are actually manatees--they are huge!

 Teagan climbing into our kayak for a picture.

 Braeden and Teagan petting a manatee.  These are wild animals, but they are very docile and as long as you are quiet and stay near the top of the water they will let you touch them.

 Teagan and Jeff.  We did not kayak much because three sisters springs had about 50 manatees.  We just stayed in one quiet part of the springs and the manatees came to us.

 Braeden and Teagan in the hot tub at the hotel.

 Fun in the pool.

 The next day we went to a wildlife park where we got to see lots of endangered Florida wildlife as well as some that are not so endangered.

 They have a hippo!

 gators

 flamingos

Teagan was so excited to see live flamingos.

 This pelican had babies that had just hatched.  You can kind of see them under her.

Olympic Idol

Braeden and the whole first cycle (7-9th grades) of secondary has been in drama immersion this week.  They were given their lines before vacation and learned to act them out this week.  Braeden played Apollo in Olympic Idol, a Greek god spoof of American Idol.  Braeden's version of Apollo was an Elvis impersonator.  

 Apollo, Hestia, and Artemis were the judges deciding who is the best hero or heroine.

 He did a good job of not breaking character as others acted in the foreground and jumping in with his lines to keep up the light mood!

 With Poseidon, the emcee of Olympic Idol.

 The cast at the end.  Many students played two or three parts and all did a fabulous job!

Christmas Day

Christmas is here!  Christmas is here!  The high is 75 degrees, so we are glad Santa brought Teagan some new flip flops.

 Christmas tree after all the opening.

 An afternoon walk on Turtle Beach.  It was so nice and sunny the kids wished they had worn suits so they could go swimming--tomorrow we'll know!

 Wearing gold skirt at the beach--a true style statement!

 Showing off his New England Patriots shirt--thanks Bevboss and Grandpa Steve!

 Stockings!

 Enjoying his new Harry Potter Page to Screen book--very detailed and already loved!

 Slinky loves his new toys.

 Fancy Christmas nails from Santa.

 Breakfast

A family game of Book Lovers Scrabble--thanks Braeden!

House

Tonight when our house was picked up and we were able to open it up all the way to the lanai, we took some pictures.

 This is the front and side of the house.

 This is a couple of weeks ago, Braeden and Teagan pointing out the egret strutting on our lawn.

 Our friendly bird visitor.

 Looking from the livingroom out to the lanai.  Tonight we moved a couch and coffee table out there so we could enjoy some time out there before dinner.

 The lanai and the light tree Jeff set up out there.  The couch and table are not normally there, but we need to get some furniture for the area--it was wonderful to be out there before dinner!

 Looking from the lanai to the living room and the front door.  Those pictures are the pictures of the kids at school.

 The craft area in the Florida room.

 From the living room into the dining room.  There used to be a wall there, but Jeff took it down.

 Living room

Living room including the piano area and the Christmas tree.

Christmas tree and kids

Teagan's birthday dinner

We had friends of ours over to celebrate Teagan's birthday with dinner.  By her request we had stuffed shells, pesto bread, and salad.  For dessert we had a chocolate/peppermint ice cream cake.  It was the first time we had ever made one, but it turned out pretty and quite tasty.

 Teagan's cake, decorated to her specifications.

 Teagan, Trinity, and Annie

 Lighting sparklers in the shape of a 10.

 Woo hoo!  Watching the sparkler.

 Watching the sparklers with the Christmas lights glasses on.

 Cake!  With Baylee and Trinity

 Singing Happy Birthday

 The inside of the cake--the pink is peppermint ice cream.

 Braeden, Annie, Baylee, Trinity, and Teagan