Critters

We all really enjoy learning about and seeing animals. It's amazing how creative God is, to make each creature unique and special. As a family, we love going to the zoo, watching documentaries about animals that live in other parts of the world, and reading animal books. While in Florida, we got to see close up all sorts of animals that we don't normally get to be around (and some common ones, too.)

grasshopper

alligator at Bayou Bill's Crab Shack

baby alligator we got to hold

a tiny lizard that visited often

TONS of tiny fish, several different kinds

mussels & a venomous sea snail

some of the fish were washed up dead on shore

goose-neck barnacles

tree frog that visited our kitchen window 3 nights

HUGE leaf bug

2-3 foot long snake that scurried under the pine needles quicker than I could get the camera out

Plus, we caught a lionfish (Papi), a teeny tiny puffer fish (Mami), saw a bobcat crossing the highway, a red & blue skink lived under our vacation home, and a bunch of armadillo roadkill. (Don't worry, we put the fish back before leaving the beach each day, and the other critters were put back the following day each time.)

2!

 JMC's birthday present. The cars spin around and there are racetrack sounds.

He was a little apprehensive on the zoo train at first, but he calmed down quickly.

 It was 105 that day so we tried to stay in the shade.

And in the reptile building, which had A/C

 A family picture, though the lighting wasn't the best for a photo.

 

I gave up on my idea for a Pocoyo cake, but went with JT's suggestion of a red cake, JMC's favorite color.

El zoologico

After a wonderful time at the beach, we decided to take our time getting home. So, we drove to Birmingham, AL, visited the zoo (we got in free with our MPZ pass) and stayed the night at a great hotel. The S. family had stayed at this hotel on the way down to FL and told us about it. Included with your stay is a free dinner, popcorn until 11pm, and free breakfast. How nice to not have to drive around an unfamiliar town looking for places to eat!

Our family loves going to the zoo, which is why we have a zoo pass. The Birmingham Zoo was great. It wasn't too big or too crowded, everything was clean, and the exhibits looked well taken care of.

They all wanted to walk with Papi

This bobcat was pacing right in front of the glass!

This is for you, Uncle A.  - a tower of turtles!

La boda

The wedding that brought about our trip was for one of Papi's brothers. He actually lives in California, as does Papi's other brother, and we hadn't seen them in 4 years (our last vacation.) It was so good to see everyone. This is the first time since our wedding that everyone was together.

The wedding was beautiful. We brought along changes of clothes for the kids, and one of the bride's aunts brought beach toys for them to play with during the reception. There was a photo booth, music, dancing, yummy food, and the cutest cake topper. Everyone had a great time and our children didn't melt down despite the very late night.

The afghan I crocheted for the bride and groom, based on the colors from the restaurant

Just before the ceremony began; the 10 seconds JMC sat still and didn't cry. Once the bride walked down the aisle, JMC & I walked the other direction and hung out in the back with the most precious 4 month old baby and his papa.

Wow! a family picture! :)

Papi and his siblings

Isn't that cake topper the coolest?!

 The reception:

all the cousins, except JMC

Don't worry, it's just Sprite.

Felicidades Tio E. and Tia L.!

La piscina

The cottage we rented is part of a small neighborhood that forms an oval, with a pool in the middle. Our home backed up to the pool, so we enjoyed it nearly every day, usually in the evening when the sun wasn't as strong.

JMC trying out his boat

Between suits, towels, sunblock, floaties, & toys, it was quite a process getting  into the pool

JMC loved this boat (thanks S. family!) and used it every time we went to the pool for the first week and a half.

JT wore this floatie whenever near the water, pool or beach. He tripped getting into the pool once and fell in head first. He was so proud that he remembered to grab onto the floatie and not let go, as well as to hold his breath. Thank God his cousin was close by and flipped him over just as soon as I noticed what was happening, and Papi was there to help not even a split second later. It was a scary moment, but more for us than for JT.

using the water bomb as a microphone

They were excited to be allowed in the hot tub.

By the end of our trip, JMC ditched the boat and began "jumping" off the side.