Fl Road Trip (days 4-5)

Day 4
12-28-06
Today was a huge adventure. We left the keys in search of the swap and alligators. Were we ever impressed at all the cool stuff we saw in the Everglades.

It is really past my bed time, so I am going to post this now, but I will add more commentary later.
















Day 5
12-29-06
We spend most of the day driving up US 19 towards Crystal River. We arrived late afternoon. We missed the "real" tours, so we rented a kayak an paddled into areas that we were told the manatee hang out. We must have seen 15 manatee in the few hours that we were there. We actually swam around with the last one we saw. They were all so big we thought they were giant to tip over the kayak on several occasions. We saw lots of really neat stuff (the most incredible clear water) with the manatee, but I did not have a waterproof camera to take with me. Actually I did not take any pictures today. This is an adventure we hope to make annually. I know it is about an hour off of 75, but I would highly recommend this trip to anyone in the area.

FL Road Trip (days 6-7)

Day 6
12-30-06
This morning we drove to Daytona Beach and then headed about 30 miles south for Mosquito Lagoon in Oakhill.

Day 7
12-31-06
Fishing in Oak HIll with our new friends (Catfish's human parents), Jim, Lynn and their friend Alex.

Christmas 2006

Steve and I both had a wonderful Chirstmas. From family and friends we recieved a GA door mat, lotions, jackets,socks, food, money, an antique plate and other stuff I know I have forgotten about.
I got Steve a black North Face down vest, several books, boxers, a Filson fishing vest, and I painted him a water color painting of the ocean in Belize. He got me a pearl braclet, a Kavu jacket, Mountian Hardwear gloves, a Life is Good t-shirt and hat, a Filson hat, and a titanium spork (sporks are so cool)!
Steves parents gave us two pieces of Filson lugguage. My parents gave me a North Face down jacket, while Steve got a Filson elmer fud hat, fishing gloves and a LL Bean shirt.

And I almost forgot..my dads sister and her husband made me a stepstool made from a walnut tree was was cut from my grandfathers yard and my great grandparents house was just in front of the tree.



I am glad to be back home from FL so we can finally use some of the cold wether gear that we received.
I have to return to school tomorrow, so today will be spend finishing storing away christmas decorations, playing with the dogs and getting ready for school. I think school will be a break from how busy I have been over the holiday. I certainly could use some rest!

Catfish

These are photos that we took the day after Christmas when we first met Catfish. She and her siblings were just over 2 weeks old. They are now 3 1/2 weeks old and we hope to have her in GA in a month or so.

We are back

We had a wonderful Christmas with family, lots of food, fun and gifts. We are truly blessed to have such a great life. We returned late last night from our week road trip to FL. We had a blast, saw lots of really cool stuff and had little sleep. I have so much to post about when I get the car cleaned out, laundry finished and all the Christmas stuff put away.
Cheers and Happy New Years. May 2007 be wonderful for everyone.

Love,
Kelly and Steve

Christmas Tractor

This tractor is located on the way to my parents house.
It has been lit up for Chirstmas for many years now.

The week before Christmas...

It is the week before Christmas and all through the house I have been cleaning and wrapping gifts. Most every day I have continued to deep clean the house. I am attempting to scrub ever scrubable surface. It seems like a never ending chore, with the dogs and others constantly bringing in dirt and fur. And the laundry! I never knew two people could have so many dirty clothes.



Wednesday moring Steve and I took the new boat to the lake for a quick cold trip. The lake is so low, it was hard to dock the boat so Steve could pull the trailer into the water, so we thought it was be a good idea for me to do that. Needless to say I now know why I am not a "real truck driver." I could not get the trailer on the ramp straight, so finally I had to hold the boat near the dock while Steve pulled the trailer into the water. Afterwards we went to Mall of GA and Bass Pro so Steve could finish Christmas shopping.



I am now getting ready for my families to come to the house for Christmas Eve. Mom and I have been baking treats! We are planning to leave mid-day on Christmas day for our Florida adventure.

Puppy Pictures

These are pictures take just a few hours after Summer (the mommy) gave birth to Catfish and her 6 sibillings.

Merry Christmas

This is one of the images from our Christmas card photo session. Crates, was MIA so he was not in the family photo (he re-appeared just after we were finished).

We wish each of you a wonderful Christmas (and that Santa's brings you all that is on your list) and an amazing 2007. May it be the best year for peace and love yet.

Kelly, Steve, Tut, Savannah, and Crates

shrimp, grits, lights and a new boat

Shrimp grits is Steve's most recent culinary delight. Tonight was his first attempt, and might I say the meal was really yummy!











Steve is taking a short break as he continues to cook













And last but not least, Steve's new toy... a Hewes flats boat. He picked up the boat on Friday and has spend all weekend with it. The motor has to have a short tune up, then we will be off to the lake later in the week.












These are our exterior lights on the house and Savannah saying "HI".