Good friends

Some friends from graduate school came down to visit family near Tampa, so we got to meet up with them at the kids museum, MOSI.

Here is Sam with their son, Oliver.

I did not get many pictures since it was a bit crazy.  Although Zoey had just had a fever and we did leave her at home with Nana.

We all went in a wind tunnel.

We were also treated to a visit by Sally (Paideia friend), Scott (GT friend) and their kids Izzy and Charlie.  The big girls had a blast playing.  And the adults got to hang out too and watch the sad GT bowl game.  Charlie and Zoey had some fun, but mostly is was moving around and chewing on things.

Everyone got to play in the sand.

We had an early New Year's Eve celebration, complete with hats, noisemakers, and fireworks.  We tried to get a group pictures, but the little ones wanted nothing to do with those hats.

What fun the noise makers were.

Zoey was even entertained.

The big girls took turns driving the gator.  We put all the kids in for a quick picture, no breaking the rules and driving with kids in the back.

Izzy had fun driving, but may need a return trip to earn her license.

Box boat.

Drawing fun.

And Zoey, Sam, and I got to meet up in Orlando with friends Deanna, Jon, Kate, and Gabe.  Deanna and Jon lived in the same apartment complex as us in 2004-2005 and we bonded over our dogs and now let our kids play.  They are expecting their 3rd in March.

They were staying at a nice complex and we got to play putt putt.

Sam had a good time, but I am glad her Papa was not there to see her form.

We played on a playground too before we grabbed some ice cream.  Sam's hair went crazy in the slide.

What a nice way to send out 2011 and start 2012, spending time with friends.  Of course, those moments were squeezed in among all the work of building the play structure, which is now almost complete.  The semester starts tomorrow.  Hopefully, construction will be completed today and only painting and such will remain for our free time this week.