Fun, Family, Florida

The Florida trip already seems like it was so long ago, even though it has only been two weeks.  Stacy came back with me to New York and we spent a few days having fun in the city.  This past week I started classes again.  I am also preparing for my first doctoral recital, so things are moving along.

Spending time with family on a little vacation was fun.  We had a great trip!  It's so hard to get the whole family together, since we are spread out all over the place, so it was really a special and nice thing to be able to relax and have fun together.  We rented a really great house in Florida.  It had enough space that we weren't always on top of each other (except that I slept in a top bed of a bunk bed, so maybe I was on top at that point, but that's okay :)  The house had game tables that we took advantage of, TVs to veg out to, a big pool and patio, a lake with a paddle boat (which Jared and Alma Lee got caught out in a storm!), and maybe my personal favorite: a hot tub.  And I loved the weather!  It is GREAT to be able to wear sandals and summer tops in January.  That was a nice way to break up the frigid winters I'm used to. I think I may have a calling to be a snow bird.

I think we were able to have a nice balance of "doing stuff" and relaxing.  Splitting up at times, and going as a group at other times allowed everyone to vacation in their own way.  From biking with alligators, shopping for shoes, eating everything in sight, to playing "Bananas" and "Settlers"...we did a lot!

One day I joined the "Brothers with Babies" group and went to the zoo.  I took my camera, of course, and had so much fun hanging out with them and taking pictures.  Joel was my buddy.  He always wanted to "push the button" on my camera.  He got a few interesting shots.  I'd share them, but I don't want him to sue me for copyright infringement when he starts his own blog.  

We each took a spin (or two) on the zoo's carousel!

I really enjoyed getting to spend time with my nieces and nephew.  I wish I could see them more often!  I look forward to one day when all the cousins can come visit Aunt Megan in New York!  I think we'll have a lot of fun....and not get into too much trouble.

And here is a view of our lovely lake after sunset.