A Fifty-Plus Degree Difference

We've gone from 80 something to 20 or 30 something, but we are really glad to be home! Steve, Abby and I had a wonderful time in Florida. We enjoyed the warm weather, seeing family, and most importantly spending quality time together. Abby got to do some really neat things and was wonderful, even with a cold and 4 teeth coming in at once (the first one made it through today and the others should be in soon).

We started our Florida vacation in Vero Beach visiting Great Grandma Lorraine and Great Grandpa Harley. They took us on a walk around their neighborhood and Abby was able to see 2 otters. They also spoiled her with key lime pie and cheesecake. That was after all the other good food they had prepared for us. They also took Abby on her first trip to the ocean. She enjoyed the water, but hated the sand (we are talking about a major meltdown). We finally got her to put her feet into the sand, but she refused to let it touch her anywhere else.

We also visited Disney World and stayed at the Saratoga Springs Resort. We managed to make it all week without entering a Disney park, but we did frequently visit Downtown Disney (the shopping and dining area) and also checked out the Animal Kingdom Lodge. We had lots of fun with Grandma Mary and enjoyed Wednesday when Melissa, Glenn, Jack, Great Grandma Lorraine, Great Grandpa Harley, Uncle Greg Hodges, Hamilton Hodges, and Grandpa Scott all came down for the PGA show. Abby, Steve, and I did check out the PGA show - it was huge and not really our gig, but it was neat to see.

And so, to sum it up - we did a ton of swimming, which Abby loved. We did a ton of walking, which was really nice to do in shirt sleeves. And we also did a ton of hanging out with family.

Abby is having a rough day after two straight days of travel. She still has the cold and has 3 more teeth to come in. She also has been sleeping in strange beds, on planes, in cars, etc. but hasn't had a good nap since Thursday. We're hoping that tomorrow will get us back on track. And probably within a week or two she will go from 2 teeth to six.

There are lots more pictures on our flickr photo page. Click HERE to check them out!

Pictures from Sparky's Florida Vacation

Sparky's First Christmas Presents

We celebrated Christmas with most of the Hodges family last night (Melissa and Glenn will have to wait to receive their presents until we are all in lovely Vero Beach, Florida tomorrow). It was a good day on the present front for Sparky. Without knowing it, she has already collected a really soft Pooh Bear blanket, a Pooh Bear outfit, 2 University of Michigan books, and a play yard (or pack and play as they used to be called). She was quite the lucky girl. On top of that, Steve and I also got an iHome system, which I am sure will find its way into Sparky's room to help her sleep and for entertainment during the many late night feedings.

And now... Sparky and I are off to get ready to head to Florida for a week of well earned rest and relaxation. It may be the last such week before Sparky's big appearance.

Steve, Sparky, and I (and Maize too), wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2008.