The best thing about Florida...

One of the best things about Florida is that people come visit all the time!  We live close to disney and such.  We recently got to have dinner with Nick's old advisor and another professor from his committee.  We were close to both, often having lunch with them, and they came down to Orlando for a conference.  It was great to catch up.  Nick's Aunt Tracy and Uncle Bruce also came down and spent a couple of nights with us before visiting friends nearby and going to the beach.  And a graduate school friend came down with her family and we all went to Legoland.  We actually got Florida resident annual passes, so we will be going a bunch more, especially once the water park opens,

First, some catch up stuff.  I like country music, so I sometimes play it in the car instead of kids place live.  Both the girls have songs that they love.  Sam loves the new Miranda Lambert one, Mama's broken heart.

Zoey loves Florida-Georgia line's Shine on.  It is not my favorite song, but it is really cute when she pipes up with "Shine on" from the back seat. She did not sing along that much in the video, but you can get the idea.

Sam is pretty creative.  She recently used a basket for a crib while playing baby.  

Of course, Zoey wanted in on the action.  They shared for a bit, but then I pulled out another basket and blanket.

Here are the picture from Aunt Tracy and Uncle Bruce.  Both girls loved playing with Uncle Bruce and took very well to Aunt Tracy.  In fact, she often had to hold both their hands as we walked.  They got in Sunday evening and the girls (and Nick and I) got spoiled by generous gifts and we all went to Red Elephant.  Monday, Sam had the day of school so we had a huge breakfast and went to feed the ducks and swans, walk around downtown and then had lunch.  Zoey had a nap, Nick went to work, and my parents joined us for a pulled pork dinner.  Tuesday we had a leisurely morning after Sam went to school and when they set off we picked up Sam and went to legoland.

Uncle Bruce feeding the birds.

 Sam feeding a duck that looked silly from molting.

This swan got super close.

Aunt Tracy had to hold Zoey, but she did throw bread.

Such fun.

We had such a great time.  Please come visit again.  Or hopefully we can make it your way!

Legoland was such fun.  I got a quick picture before they said one rider to horse and we had to go to the lower level to find 2.

Sam posed but Zoey said this guy was too big!

Riding on shoulders is a current favorite.

 The duplo areas were fun.

Zoey now will go up to things and say "Mama, look at me!  Take picture!"

Her silly pose.

Sam and Nick did this ride.

 He also took both girls on a truck one.  I rode the old cars with both.

And Sam and I rode this up and down ride.  She actually liked it.

The mini city was neat.  Technically a Vegas one, but Sam loves all things Parisian.

This was the local area.

St. Augustine, which Sam just read a book about.  We thought it was about the person at the library, but Zoey was about to pull things down so I did not look closely enough and it was about the founding of the city.  Very complex book with some advanced concepts like slavery, but we got through it and she passed her AR quiz!

She loved learning about the election and recognized the white house.

We also saw a neat ski show.

This weekend was super busy.  I ran by to get the veggies and then Mom, Dad, Sam, Zoey and I went to the place Sam takes ballet, Kelly Rec, for their open house.  Last year I won a drawing, but this year we just got the general free stuff.

Zoey said the saw was too big, but Sam went right up.

Sam took part in the ballet class demo.

She changed and got her face painted.  We then had to rush home and get Zoey a short nap before setting off for a friend's birthday party.

Zoey has been getting some gifts.  She loves "prepents".  A recent favorite has been the hello kitty light from my Aunt Eunice.  She carries it around and says it is crying and needs a bottle.  

I cannot believe she is two!  Time has flown, even faster for Zoey since we stay so busy.  I try to enjoy every moment.  Her party was today, but that post will come later.  Happy birthday to a sweet, clever, busy, cute, adorable, amazing girl.  We love you munchkin!