Later Alligator...

When we drove to Miami, we crossed Alligator Alley (yes it's really called that). So we were on Alligator watch, we even pulled off at one of the rec areas so we could see some up close. As you drive you can see the Alligators hanging out on the bank because there is water on both sides of the highway. It's crazy though because I don't think we have ever seen as many as we did this time. We were counting on the way there and on the way back but we lost track after about 25.

Here's the first alligator encounter of our trip. People must feed them because they seemed to be waiting for something and weren't bothered at all by the fact that we were less than 10 feet away.

 Here you can see how close we are. (Its next to Aidan's head in the pic)

This one was on the other side of the bank, chillin' on a log

This one came swimming over after we had been standing there for a few min

and this one was trying to hide in the grass but we still saw him.

Here is the fence that lines both sides of the highway. 

Fun fact: The fence is to keep the wildlife off the highway and the cars out of the water. It's said that before the fence was added if a car crashed into the water it would be almost impossible to find because it would sink in the swamp. So the fence also helps people to know if anyone has crashed into the water so there is a better chance of rescue.

Brotherly love on the car ride

 and an eye poke. Ha ha!

More alligator fun to come!

Welcome to Miami!

Actually we were mostly in Hollywood and Key Biscayne but its all Miami area. We went to visit Jim's sister Keri and her husband Berk and to see their new house. It was a fast trip (I think we were there less than 24 hrs) but we had a great time! We went to the beach on Key Biscayne for several hours on Saturday and then hung out and watched a movie Sat night before heading to Fort Myers Sunday morning.

We headed to the island of Key Biscayne right after we got there on Saturday. It was a nice drive going through Miami. The only thing that stunk was we got stuck in traffic on the way home because there was a Sony Open Tennis tournament going on. It was worth it though to hang at the beach for the day.

As soon as we got out of the car the kids found some fun trees to climb.

and who needs the beach when there are sticks to be found? :)

 Once we got the kids away from the trees and sticks we walked over to the beach area.

There was a lighthouse right at the end of the island, we didn't end up walking down to it but it was pretty to see from where we were.

And this is the super exciting centipede (millepede?) that Aidan would not leave alone. Poor thing. I'm pretty sure he messed with it for over an hour.

Playing in the water

Berk and Keri

Zoie was the first one to go all the way in the water.

Logan passed out after playing in the sand for awhile.

What would a trip to the beach be without burying someone in the sand?

 More worm fun

Happy Easter!

This past week our kids had spring break so we headed down to Miami and to Fort Myers to spend time with Jim's family. We played and hit the beach and generally just had a good time (more on that later).

While we were in Fort Myers we had the annual Easter egg hunt at Nana's house. It's always fun for the kids and funny for the adults to watch them running around and fighting over eggs. At first Logan didn't quite get the point of picking up eggs and putting them in a basket, but once Jim showed him that there was candy inside he was all about it.

Here are the hunters before they started.

 Daddy showing Logan the awesomeness that is a candy filled egg.

And here they are with all their loot.

Happy Easter!!