Sunday - January 11

We had so much fun today....It was a "Fun Day, Sunday" as they say at the Sunset Grille.    After breakfast, we drove to a park (with a stop at a new coffee shop along the way that's much closer than Curly's).   The park was ok, but sand surface and no swings?   NO swings?   What kind of park is this?    Well, how special that Jane just happened to call and said they had found a really nice park sponsored by the Rotary Club for the children of the community!   It is awesome!!!!   Luke had so much fun and he met a new little friend 3-year old Peyton.

 

So, from the park we came back to Daisy, put on our swim gear and off to our infinity pool for the 1st time.   Luke had his sand/water toys and the water was sooo nice 'n warm!    Back to Daisy for lunch and 2-hour nap.    At 3:30, we checked out the details of Crane Point, a 63-acre nature preserve that is all about the history of Old Florida, but they were closing at 5, so another time to really scout it out (trolley ride and all).    Stopped at Kandio's for ice cream and then Publix for a few groceries and ran into our pal, Jane.     Home to play and later, Grandpa grilled out pork chops.    What a BIG day....

 

Happy to be swingin'

 

All lined up in front of the big shark

 Luke and Mr. Joe

 Thomas was here, too!

 

Luke LOVES to watch videos

And the pool was so fun and warm...

 



And not to be outdone by her cousin, Luke, here's our

SWEET SOUTHERN BELLE

 

Did facetime with Liam and Connor....Luke was laughing at Connor's silly faces and then when the boys said bye bye and blowing kisses,, Luke hit the red button on the I-pad and shut 'em down!    Then, he giggles and laughs and clapped his hands - what a goober!!!

 

I had a nice surprise tonight - my cousin, Jim who is at the Lutheran Home in Mendota called.    We had a really nice chat    Mark and I stopped to see him when we were there in late December, but the place was on quarantine - luckily, Jim has stayed healthy!

 

Have a great week and glad the weather will be much better than last week (hopefully)!

Saturday - January 10

Hi all......beautiful day in Marathon after starting the day with windy, cool for us (62) and no sun.   After breakfast, Luke and Grandpa went for a walk (another great night for sleeping with nary a peep out of Luke).   

 

Morning stroll - jackets feel good

 

 Around 9:45 we loaded up all our stuff and laundry, stopped at Curly's Coffee Shop and then landed at Jane and Joe's - Luke was not happy at first in these unfamiliar surroundings, but didn't take long to warm up to Jane and Joe's warm hospitality!    He had a ball playing in the screened-in porch and then outside gathering coconuts with Joe in the big backyard.

 

I love my traveling train set from Uncle Ryan

 

Gathering the coconuts with Mr. Joe

and then, playing with the coconuts

 

While Luke played with dominoes and trains, we got back to our euchre tournament and got in 1.5 games.    I got the laundry all done - thanks sooo much Janie!   Had yummy lunch and back to Daisy around 1 for naptime .    Grandpa and I sat on the patio with our laptops and books.    Sun came out around 11.....gorgeous - 76 and all sunshine!

 

Luke took a 2-hour nap and then we went to 4:00 Mass at San Pablo's.    Their grounds are beautiful with grottos, gazebos, statues, the stations of the cross, the mysteries of the rosary, the 4 evangelists, and much more in a pretty setting on a paved walkway that meanders around thru the trees.   They go all out at Christmastime with OODLES of decorations and lights.   Most of that has been taken down, but we did capture this special memory!

 

Pretty sunset - 1/10/15

 

Mark grilled Italian Sausages for supper - delish!

 

We sure hope Annette and Philip are having as much fun as we are!!!

  

Friday - January 9

Today we remember Mark's Dad who passed away 2 years ago.....Miss this wonderful guy so much!

 

Mark and I took turns exercising.    Luke played inside Daisy and then we all went for a long stroller ride.    Luke played in the sand with his new sand toys at Sunset Grille.   He loved it!    A true Florida boy, lying on his tummy and spreading out his hands and legs!

Fun in the sand at Sunset Grille

Grandma and Luke taking a walk

 

While Luke napped this afternoon, Jane, Joe, Mark and I played euchre on the new picnic table (we have an ongoing tournament in progress and the stats are verrrry close).    At 5:00, we all went to Sunset Grille for Happy Hour - Luke was a good boy eating and enjoying the music and attention from Jane and our waitress!   

 

 The cousins

 The Lukester

 

Thursday - January 8

Sunny, 62 and very windy in Marathon this Thursday morning, and a great day to take a little car trip to pick up our boy!     We left Daisy at 8 AM (quick stops at McDonalds and Curly's Coffee Shop)  and arrived at Cracker Barrel  in Florida City around 10:10 with Philip, Annette and Luke arriving shortly after.

 

We visited a bit while Luke stretched his legs and Daddy and Grandpa transferred his stuff to our car.   And then we were off - the kids to catch their cruise ship out of Fort Lauderdale, and Grandpa, Luke and me back to Marathon.

 

Hanging out at Cracker Barrel

Hey everyone....I'm 21 months today

Grandpa and Luke heading to Toad and then ready for the drive back to Daisy

 

Luke fell asleep in Key Largo and slept all the way home!    Good little traveler.  

 

Sweet dreams...

 

And nice surprise when we arrived back to Daisy....new picnic table was delivered.   Last year we didn't have one and now they are building and delivering to the 9 RV patios!   What a nice addition to have picnics, play cards, dominoes, etc.

VERY sturdy, very HEAVY picnic table!    YEAH!!!

 

  Had lunch on Daisy, played, walked around the park and went for a few stroller rides.   Luke loved all the boats and we ran into friends, Charlotte and Doug who are here for the winter on their PDQ (just like Catrina).    They are from Annapolis....we met them last year down here and then saw them in May at the Blue Angels show.

 

Nice to chat with Graham and Mary Catherine from Greensboro, NC (neighbors from last year) who are back for 3 months.

 

No more napping for the little guy this afternoon!   

Luke seems to have this I-pad stuff down pat.   He knows which movies he wants to watch, knows to slide the bar across and touches the right buttons, etc.   All we need to do is teach him the password - ha!    Grandpa thinks he just might teach Grandma a few things these next few days?  
 That could certainly happen!

Another snow day for Liam and Connor!
 

Nighty night from Lukeville.... 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday - January 7

Woke up to hear about the terrible cold back home and across much of the country.    No school, so Liam and Connor were happy and this extra free day gives Liam a chance to really get over an ear infection which kept him home Monday/Tuesday.

 

We exercised and rode bikes 5.5 miles (1/2 way on the Old 7-mile bridge).    I ran several errands after lunch, along with a haircut and stop at Publix to pick up some Luke food.   Mark installed a new DVD player.   Jane and Joe came over around 3 and we played several games of euchre under the Tiki Hut - great fun again.

 

Went to the Marathon Steak and Ale House - fabulous!    I had been here for lunch last year with Linda and Vicki and we kept hearing how good it is for dinner and their "Early Bird" specials.    Well, Tommy was out waiter (same as a year ago for lunch) and the food was phenomenal.   I had a Bleu Cheese and Pear Salad with Grouper - soooooo good.   Mark loved his crab cakes, too.

 

So back on Daisy, stuffed and happy - leaving in the morning to meet Philip and Annette and Luke will be coming back with us to stay 4 days while Mommy and Daddy go cruisin'.    Can't wait!!!
Grandpa and I are excited!