Traveling on..

We returned yesterday from Paul's sister's and husband's house out in western Florida. We all get along really well...and this time we had new people to meet as we each had two children that had been born during our time in Thailand. The great thing is these children are boys (3 years old) and then girls (1 1/2 years old). Pictured here we have Adele, Vinnie (8 weeks older than Adele), Lincoln (7 weeks younger than Calvin) and Calvin. They all got along really well, for the most part. It was a joy to meet these two precious children.

We were going to go to the beach on Monday but the weather turned and instead of being upper 80s and sunny, it was upper 60s, overcast with some misting rain. This is really weird for Florida. And, needless to say, Paul and I were freezing. The boys did ok...in fact PJ refused to wear sweatpants which means we have a bit of a fight coming once Florida winter does hit. =) So, we headed to Chuck E Cheese's for some mass fun. The Ream family boys said it was the most fun they've ever had at Chuck E Cheese's and the husbands said the same...thanks to the NBL basketball hoop shoots! Later that day and again on Tuesday we made a fire outside in the backyard. We sang some folk-y songs thanks to Becky and her guitar and we even toasted marshmallows! A first for Calvin and Adele.
[Pictured above: Me with Adele and Lincoln.]

[Pictured below: Paul at the fire dressed for winter (!), Ethan (almost 11) winnowing a spear and Becky playing guitar.]

PJ and Ben (9) were knights most of the weekend and at times Ethan would join them in their play.

Ben also found a Scarlet King Snake on their back patio area. The house became alive with excitement as five little boys and two daddies came to inspect. After making sure the snake wasn't the deadly coral snake the little boys and big boys alike had fun holding our new pet whose name is Boa. Yes, you heard right...we now have a pet snake. There will be rules...o, there will be rules! PJ had no fear holding it though, for which I am truly very grateful. I grew up (ok I still do) fearing snakes but I married Paul, who doesn't fear them unless there is a sensible reason for the snake to be feared and thankfully PJ has picked up on that. Calvin was very interested in the snake too, but he only "petted" it this time. We'll see how he warms up to it. Also, notice the sleeveless shirt PJ is wearing and Calvin in a sweatshirt. PJ ran around like this in 60 and 70 degree weather...no problems adjusting for this kid!

Lincoln and Calvin enjoyed playing cars but they also enjoyed several games of Hi!Ho! Cherry-O...thanks Uncle Matt!






And Uncle Matt spent many moments reading to the smaller children.

After our Monday plans of going to the beach were squashed we decided to go on Tuesday which was only a few degrees warmer but less rain. We packed up after eating lunch and headed to a nearby beach on the Gulf. We were there about 10 minutes, fully garbed (except the older boys) when we decided we couldn't stay very much longer. The older boys (Ethan, Ben and PJ) were sorely disappointed but the rest of us were thrilled to be out of the cold gusts.

While driving back to the East Coast we drove through rain almost the whole way. When we arrived at Grampy and Grammie's we noticed water everywhere...the pond is full and so is the swimming pool and now we're all just waiting to see our friend, Mr. Sun, so we can go outside and play. Never before have my boys asked me over and over again "when is it going to stop raining?" just so they can go outside and play!

Just want to say one more time.. Thank you Matt and Becky, Ethan, Ben, Linc and Vinnie for the GREAT time! We can't wait to see you again!