4th of July on Key Biscayne!

Hi All! Just came back from a great trip to Key Biscayne, the Island Paradise just over the bridge from Miami. I am the luckiest person in the world because I was able to call this place home at one time. We had a great visit with old friends and some new friends. We also spent some quality time with our daughter, Karissa and her new fiance, Jorge. We were able to meet Jorge's parents over dinner and enjoy awesome worship at Karissa's church, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. All is well in South Florida!

!!!I want to send a big THANK YOU to KATY!!! Thank you for allowing us to turn your house upside-down for 5 days! You are the greatest hostess in all the world! The great cafe con leche daily and even greater lasagna were so appreciated! Thanks for revealing your secrets with that awesome recipe!!

We had a great time over the 4th of July holiday. The parade and the fireworks were superb as usual and it is what draws more people to the Key than any other event. Well worth the drive just for that alone. But we had a great time and our days were packed with so many other things: Catching up with old friends, swimming in the pools OR the ocean, snorkeling and finding stingray and barracuda, climbing the Cape Florida Lighthouse, catching LOTS of sun, digging in to Sir Pizza, playing games on the beach, enjoying some quiet time around the tv watching Wimbledon, going to the fantastic playground down the road and sweating up a storm with a few great runs. I especially get a kick out of watching the iguanas and other wildlife that roam free and I might add that they secretly enjoy watching us, too!

I got a few shots of the trip, not as many as I would have liked. I'll blame it on the heat. I don't think I had the energy to hold the camera during the parade; it had to be 110 degrees as well as 110% humidity! But Daniel did manage to take pictures of all the CARS in the parade! :)

Katy, Karissa and Jorge, Catherine and Natalia, Terri, Danny and Timmy, Megan and Kevin, Mr. and Mrs. Dupeyroux, Dr. and Mrs. Malinin--it was so wonderful to visit with you all!! Mr. Bill, we'll catch you next time!!

Ethan and Jaret beginning a sand creation.

This little guy(not so little) was hanging out by the picnic benches by the lighthouse.

Ethan, Daniel and Jaret just next to the lighthouse wondering how they can bust into this coconut.


This is the beautiful Cape Florida Lighthouse!


A view of Miami from the top of the bridge!


Karissa and Megan have become close friends!

Timmy, Danny, Ethan, Jaret and Daniel

What's not to love about this guy?! He wasn't concerned at all about all of us around the pool.



Terri, Mary, Catherine and Katy!!


Mom and Ethan...

The adorable newly engaged couple, Karissa and Jorge!

Let's be realistic. They still get hungry and cranky and mean.