Well - we have been travelling for a week and a half - not a lot of time for Blogging unfortunately. It's hot is Florida! Not yet summer and in the 30's - had our first lightning storm last night - went around us mostly, so no relief from the heat just stormy clouds and the lightning. This kills more people here than Alligators/Snakes - they have alarms that go off to tell people to move indoors and to be careful.
Time in Naples has been about life with the Rokela's - Sue's Brother - Paul, his wife Sue and kids, Grace and Brandon - we have been to a couple of Brandon's Baseball games, Grace's athletics meet to watch her Pole Vault - Matt and I have been to the golf course with Paul and Brandon and hit a few balls.
We visited a 24 hour walkathon for raising money for cancer, picked B up from school and experienced the lines for kids pick up. We went to the beach to watch the sunset, the Naples Pier and Corkscrew Swamp.
Matt was really keen for a day at the zoo - we saw the 'Snakes Alive' show, Alligator feeding, rode a camel, went on a boat ride, etc etc - new experiences for all. Kids enjoyed it all although again it was extremely hot!
We have had treats at the mall - Ritas - Italian Ices with custard (a bit like snow freeze ice cream but not really....) "Moes" Mexican restaurant - "welcome to Moe's" - all the staff say this as you enter the door! We visited Sports Authority, the Publix supermarkets and more - we wandered Naples shopping centre and Tin City. Pet shop with Snakes and Taranchillas.
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| 'Moes' |
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| 'Ritas' Ice-Custard-Happiness |
Last night Matt had an asthma attack was worse than I had seen before and required his emergency puffer - seems ok today which is good.
Early start to go to the Everglades - Airboat ride and hold a baby Alligator - only saw one Alligator on the air boat ride - seems as if we have hit at the very end of the dry season so the freshwater is in short supply and therefore the alligators retreat further inland to where the fresh water is. Was good ride anyway - we spent about one and a half hours in the mangroves and out on the bay.
Quick look at Everglades City - not much there - 500 residents. Drove back towards Naples and stopped at a short Boardwalk walk - saw 4 Alligators, Deer, Bald Eagle nest, Squirrels and lots more - nice walk through the bush although everywhere we go it is HOT outside and Matt does not like the walking much.
So on to the next things - hired a boat for tomorrow for 4 hours, then the beach and possibly a minor league baseball game. Saturday hoping to see Josh and Nikki in Fort Lauderdale. Matt's Birthday Monday so we will celebrate this on Sunday with all of the kids after attending Church on Sunday morning and then Easter Egg hunts!!
Off to Disney for a number of days on Monday - and Universal Studios and maybe Kennedy Space Centre - there is a launch next Friday so will get to at least see this from afar. Matt's 8th Birthday will see us arriving Disney in the afternoon so I am sure this will be exciting for him.
All sorts of things different here - who would have known that the tooth fairy would give $5 USD for a manky old tooth - and then, after this had happened the first time a second child would lose a tooth the next day - now it seems all the teeth are loose and we are trying to get them all out before we leave America and get back to the NZ tooth fairy!!!
Having a great time - hopefully a lifetime of memories in the creation - lots more time to go but am sure it will go quickly.
Early start to go to the Everglades - Airboat ride and hold a baby Alligator - only saw one Alligator on the air boat ride - seems as if we have hit at the very end of the dry season so the freshwater is in short supply and therefore the alligators retreat further inland to where the fresh water is. Was good ride anyway - we spent about one and a half hours in the mangroves and out on the bay.
Quick look at Everglades City - not much there - 500 residents. Drove back towards Naples and stopped at a short Boardwalk walk - saw 4 Alligators, Deer, Bald Eagle nest, Squirrels and lots more - nice walk through the bush although everywhere we go it is HOT outside and Matt does not like the walking much.
So on to the next things - hired a boat for tomorrow for 4 hours, then the beach and possibly a minor league baseball game. Saturday hoping to see Josh and Nikki in Fort Lauderdale. Matt's Birthday Monday so we will celebrate this on Sunday with all of the kids after attending Church on Sunday morning and then Easter Egg hunts!!
Off to Disney for a number of days on Monday - and Universal Studios and maybe Kennedy Space Centre - there is a launch next Friday so will get to at least see this from afar. Matt's 8th Birthday will see us arriving Disney in the afternoon so I am sure this will be exciting for him.
All sorts of things different here - who would have known that the tooth fairy would give $5 USD for a manky old tooth - and then, after this had happened the first time a second child would lose a tooth the next day - now it seems all the teeth are loose and we are trying to get them all out before we leave America and get back to the NZ tooth fairy!!!
Having a great time - hopefully a lifetime of memories in the creation - lots more time to go but am sure it will go quickly.
You sound like you are having such a great time! I can picture all the things you've been doing so well because you're all so descriptive.
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