Happy Anniversary Baby!!

Welcome back, to the Grand Bahama Island! We took a short cruise to spend the day out at our favorite little spot from last year: Paradise Cove. It's where JJ met the Eagle Ray last year, and where we decided would be the best place to celebrate 15 years!!

It was low tide for most of our day out here... which meant when we snorkeled out, we had to be extra careful not to step on or accidentally touch any of the coral.

Like a dork, Mom forgot her underwater camera. So you only get land shots this time.

We did see lots of fish, and got to swim amongst a pod of sea turtles!! One of them turned to look at us and looked like he was trying to say something. Only bubbles came out of his mouth. We think he was inviting us to follow along, cuz he didn't seem one bit bothered that we were there with him. He took us along where we got to see a bunch of his friends!! They are graceful and cute, going from eating the sea grass on the bottom to taking a breath up on top. Their big front flippers circle around in arcs and makes it look like they can fly!!

Happy Anniversary Baby!!

Ft. Lauderdale

Ft. Lauderdale is quite the contrast after coming from Stumpy and Peace River. Welcome to tourism, and a blast of big city squished right up as close to the water as possible!!
There are draw bridges going out to all the barrier islands and beaches. When we first arrived we caught the draw bridge up.

The buildings are this odd part of the landscaping... but part of what makes this town itself, so beautiful in its own way. We decided to try to find a less crowded place to enjoy the surf, and headed out to a state park a little farther south.

The boys had just as much fun trying to surf down the sand hill as out in the Atlantic!

This one is working on becoming a runner. She's pretty good about keeping mom moving when we get out and about... (oh, I do remember the days......)

We still love learning about all of God's amazing creations as we stumble upon them in our travels. Here is our treat of this trip: we think its why there was a red flag on the surf warning sign (waves were ok but there was something about dangerous creatures.?) Its a jelly fish like we've never seen out on the West coast...

Beauty, ain't it?!!

Now we're heading off for some more beach time out in the Bahamas. See you there!!

Stumpy

Right before we left Peace River, we finally got a glimpse of Stumpy out catching some sun.

Just in case you thought we made her up, here she is!!

Bye Bye Stumpy!

Thanks for sharing your river for Christmas and not eating Shayna when she got baptized!!

"White as Snow"

Shayna has been thinking about giving her life to the Lord for awhile now, and decided she wanted to be baptized "out in nature" on Christmas day. Never mind now that most people around these parts choose to do it in the pool (in case Stumpy decides she's hungry while you're out in her territory)... Shayna would have none of that! It was to be in the Peace River on Christmas day, rain or shine!

Fortunately we had lots of shine, both from the warm winter sun and from our precious daughter. She gave her confession of faith on the shore, before her peers and several traveling comrades, and then she and Greg walked out to the middle of the river.

(she did give a little "brrrrrrr" as her bum sank down...)

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit....

Buried with Christ....

And risen with new life!!

Amen!!

Winnie Christmas...

For Christmas we are back down in Florida, enjoying the simplicity and several friends from the road... as well as the sunshine and taste of sabbatical life that is now in our blood. We hung mini stockings in Winnie...

Got some new jammies and started a tradition of making a gingerbread house.

The note to Santa said "Please enjoy some cookies but you may only admire the Gingerbread house."

(by Jo!)

JJ's Christmas Program

JJ's 5th grade classes at his school put together a program called "Christmas around the World". (like his holiday baseball shirt??!!) They sang songs from various countries and learned a few international traditions.

JJ's line was about Austria. He said "Once everyone has gathered around the Christmas tree, they all sing Christmas carols and wish each other a "Frauliche Whighnatcen."
And here's a little closing song for you...

Merry Christmas!!

Nashville

For Thanksgiving we traveled up north a bit and had an amazing time with our dear friends the Links... and got to check out lots of new territory. Here is a quick photographic journey of our time...

Seeing downtown Nashville...

Checking out some trails...

Oh, and then there's the feast...

(we did eat more than just pie.... didn't we?)

Nashville has some amazing houses..

Including this one where one of the Oakridge boys has retired.

(Shayna wants to learn to carve like that...)

We were sad to leave, but took an amazing drive down the Natchez Trace Parkway back "home" to Mississippi.

Even got a Christmas card shot out of the deal.

THANK YOU LINKS!!