In honor of Emmy’s 18th birthday Singing Sally, Emmy, Bud, Magoo, and I flew to Florida for the weekend, essentially.  We flew out on Saturday and back on Tuesday.

It was quick, but absolutely awesome.

We spent a little time on the beach, but not in the 53 degree water.

We ate out at two awesome restaurants on the water.  Bud and Nanni got a little out of control, what with Bud downing an entire frozen strawberry margarita by himself.

We went to the coolest nature preserve, called Homosassa Springs.  This place has a hippo named Lucifer who is about to turn 50.  Dad LOVED old Lou.  And this place was one of the last outings he had that was not health related.  If you are ever close by, I’d highly recommend it.

We took walks where the girls were cheered on by the locals who definitely knew they were from the north because they had short sleeves and bare feet.  The locals were all bundled up for the 65 degree weather.

Singing Sally started Nanni on Facebook.  I’m afraid of what she might write on my wall.  Mom, remember, all my friends can see it!

We ALMOST put together a 750 piece puzzle.  Mom is tasked with finishing it.  Piece, piece.

We packed a week’s worth of activities, laughs, and even relaxation into a weekend.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming:  ice, slush, and cold.  I’ve included a few of my favorite pictures below.  And here’s a FLICKR SLIDESHOW if anyone is so inclined.

Hey, it says KEEP OFF!

That’s right.  I’m not shorter than my children.

I just don’t believe there’s a cooler 75 year old on the planet.

Yep, good old Lucifer here, with his skin actually sagging over his legs, is younger than Favorite Child.  And better looking too.

Oh, these girls.  They are so much fun to just be around.   They refused to acknowledge it wasn’t tank top weather.  Then stole someone’s jacket, and since they are joined at the hip anyway, it did the trick.

Never a good sign.

I’ve been back for three days.  And, I’ve already checked for cheap airfares to Florida four times.  It’s an illness.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 at 12:48 pm and is filed under Family, Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.