Chicago- Day 1

On our first day in Chicago, the kids and i set out to find food. We couldnt find a decent breakfast so we just had gluten-free cupcakes from Trader Joes. I have no regrets. Overall we walked 3-4 miles and they had the energy for it anddidn't  complain. These children are awesome! 

We walked the Magnificent Mile. We saw the John Hancock building up close. We also saw the old Watertower. Iris loves that it looked like a castle. Clark said he liked the Culture of Chicago. Weve been talking about the difference between old and new buildings. Old ones are fancy, and new ones boring and square. 

We checked out the retail at Water Tower Plaza mall. The Lego Store 

They had an American Girl with my look, designed by a "Veronica" 

Clark finally got to spend his commission. Each week, he earns $1 by doing work around the home. He saved up his money, and after tithing and saving 10% each, he had almost $10. He was very excited to pick out a special treat at Hershey's Chocolate World!  Im very proud of him for being so patient and deferring gratification for ao long! 

Both kids said "chocolate is my middle name" 

Ft. Lauderdale, Everglades, Keys

 So here's a few more photos from our trip to Florida.
This is Iris on the balcony one morning.  The sun rises right over the ocean, right into the hotel room. Tom got up early with Iris one morning to watch it.

 

We also saw some beautiful moon rises.

 Our last day in Ft. Lauderdale, we went to the International Swimming Hall of Fame.  This is me and kids by the swimming statue (Mark Spitz?) and in front of their pool. That day was a big pre-Olympic diving competition with some of the world's best divers.  Tom really enjoyed the HoF. I'm really glad we fit it in.

 

Clark (the Original Gumbo) on the Gumbo Limbo Trail in the Everglades NP

 We also go to visit the Everglades National Park. We went to the visitors center and went on a guided hike on the Anhinga Trail. We didn't see an Anhinga (a bird) but we saw lots of fish and a tiny alligator.  Then we did a quick and shady and mosquitoey trail - Gumbo Limbo Trail. Iris loved it and got 18 mosquito bites.

 Then we drove down HWY 1 on the chain of little Islands known as the Florida Keys. We stopped to refresh ourselves at  Harry Harris Park in Tavernier. It had this great pool. The water came from the ocean and fish were swimming around, but it was portioned off as a swimming area. It was perfect for Clark and Iris

Sunset on Key West and a Ship

We visited Key West and went to the Southernmost Point, as well as Mile 0. Key West is like a hot, beachy New Orleans. 









On the way back north on our way out of the Keys and Florida, we stopped at John Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. Most of the park is underwater and awesome for snorkeling and scuba diving. We didn't do either, but we did do some wading with our babies.  They have glass bottom boat tours, which we vow to do next time we come through!

Florida Keys

We went on our annual Florida trip for the last time earlier this May. We spent a week in Lauderdale By the Sea at the Sea Lord Hotel which is completely awesome.  Then we drove to the Everglades and then down to the Florida Keys. My Aunt Carla lives on Summerland Key. We were just there a weekend, and here's some photos from it.  We are so glad we took the time to go down there, and would love to do it again (maybe faaaar into the future)

Iris and Clark being cuties in the Ft. Lauderdale Airport

with my cousin Kelly

Southernmost Point of the USA

And again

Kids enjoying some ice cream at a shop in Key West

Kids REALLY enjoying that Ice Cream!

Tom, V and Clark Kayaking off of Cudjoe Key

in my brother's narrative:

WEIRDO: "HA HA HA !....LOOK AT THESE TOO DELICIOUS LOOKING CHILDREN!"

Children: "We promise to eat our green beans. Please SAVE US!"   

WEIRDO: "They're slow and easy to catch around this stream. I GOT TWO!"

How to make an awesome holiday...

STEP 1: High 5 on an airplane,

Step 2: Have tons of fun on the airport playground during a layover.

 Step 3: find Cozy Coupe in California. Play in it constantly.

 Step 4: Run around with cousins! Act as crazy and insane as possible (or as your parents allow before asking you to be quiet or calm down).

Step 5: Mimosas!

 Step 6: Open presents with Daddy!

Step 7: Open presents with mommy!

Step 8: Enjoy thyself with thine family.

Step 9: Enjoy thy presents! 

 

Step 10: Find that Cozy Coupe and PLAY!

or a scooter

or a skateboard with no wheels! Whatever, just have fun!

Step 11: Go to the beach. Dig to China.

Step 12: Go to Wild Animal Park and admire animals.

giraffe tongues!

but don't become one yourself,

Grrrrrrr!

 

enjoy your family

give lots of hugs,

and explore

Step 13: Enjoy local parks and visitors centers. Here's Clark at Mission Trail Visitor Center making a leaf drawing!

and adding a hand leaf to the tree!

Step 14 = SEA WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Step 15: Celebrate life, like Iris' First Birthday!

 Step 16: Visit with Friends, like our NFP teachers Dave and Cheryl.

 Step 17: Love your sister

 and your Nana!

 and Nana's dog ALLIE!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Step 18: Enjoy the Cozy Coupe... did I say that already? Make sure no one is in it though... Ben drove around on Iris' lap for a while before Tom rescued her!

 Step 19: If you have a holiday goal, I recommend pursuing it....

and achieving it! 

 Step 20: Smile

 enjoy family and down time,

Cozy Coupe!!!!!!

 and finally.... enjoy life's little

Surprises!!!!!!!!!!

There was more beach and friend visits, and some surfing too! Maybe we'll post photos of those things, or maybe we won't. But it was a great holiday and we had lots of fun with our little nieces and nephews. Clark loved his cousins, and Iris loved nana's dog! We are glad we went, and we are really glad to be back in our time zone in our own beds. We hope you had a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and a great time in between! Love, the Greenwells!