Welcome Home Decorations

When we came back from FL we were greeted with a beautifully decorated house!  Someone took a lot of time drawing pictures and spelling out Welcome Home. We're Glad You're Home!

Writing all of our names all the way up the sidewalk...

There were streamers taped up everywhere and this wonderful hand made sign that said Welcome Home.

We felt loved! And, since one of the words at the front of the house said "Luk -->"  (instead of Look ) we figured out pretty easily it was our wonderful neighbor Zanthippie and her family. We missed them too!

Airplane Ride

Here are my little lovelies on the plane ride to Florida.  So cute!!!!!

Fond Memories & Good Food

Every time we go to FL for the Ironman, we go to Po Folks.  Chris moans and groans, "I lose IQ points every time I walk in the door".  But it's good food, at a decent/good price!  And it brings back all sorts of memories for me!

When I was younger we didn't often go out to eat....Mom stayed home while Dad was a schoolteacher, and there were 4 of us! But every once in awhile after church a bunch of people would get together and we'd cross over into PA and go to PoFolks.

At that time, PoFolks gave drinks in mason jars, and every waiter/waitress knew the Moon Pie story. Not only did they know the story, they brought the red wagon over with the moon pie tree in it, to show us!

Today, that PoFolks is no longer open. Each time I go to the one in FL I ask them if they know the Moon Pie story and they don't! It's heartbreaking! It's tradition! And something the managers shouldn't have let be phased out.  If I had a unique place in the market, I'd keep everything as unique as possible and not lose things!  Like the Moon Pie Story!  These days the drinks aren't in mason jars either!

But, just going there makes me think of fun times, and being a child...so I'll still go...plus the food's good!!

 

Chris' Cousin James

While we were in FL, Chris planned on seeing his cousin James, whom he hadn't seen in years. Well, 15 years to be more precise!  So, James came down from GA and hung out with us, remembering good times with Chris and listening to me pester him about all things Native American.  It was a grand time!

Here's Chris and James

This is a shot of a medicine pouch

 

And these are leather boots

 

It was neat to learn about so many differences in culture and history and laws and  ways of doing things.....

James came back down the day of the Ironman and patiently waited for Chris to finish.  It's not that thrilling being an IronMate. Lots of waiting and walking and screaming and crowds...add in a baby's nap and feeding the crew...makes for a long day!

We're all glad Chris got to reconnect...maybe it won't take another 15 years!

 

Gulf World

This was our 2nd trip to Gulf World. We went in 2007 and Chris swam with the Dolphins. It was the plan to go back this year and do it again. We wanted to see if Elias would do it to!

First we watched the Dolphin Show. It was pretty cool!

Elias loves his brother so much

Elias got to pet the dolphin....and pretty much reacted the same way he had 2 years ago! It was comical!

GulfWorld also has a big array of birds. Look at this beautiful guy!

This guy is tricky! He hangs by his claws, and swivels upside down! Comes up all puffed up and then does it again!  It kept us amused for quite awhile. He's sideways, mid swing here...

 Penguins.....

Sting Rays you can pet....noone but me did

A nice indoor theater/aquarium...Elias was getting a swim-by of a turtle

Chris wasn't wanting to swim with the dolphins after all, and Elias kept changing his mind, but Cassia got to go! Here she is, getting a kiss from the dolphin

Each person gets to get swum around.

The dolphins mimic all sorts of behavior, so the instructor had everyone do things like shake your hands, then they shook their flippers, etc.  It was neat!

For a smaller scale place  (not like Sea World)  it is very well done, nice variety of animals and shows. We had a nice time!

Playing on the Beach

While we were in FL we had ample time to play at the beach.  The boys mostly preferred the pool this year, but we did get out there a bit.  This was really Sebastian's first time interacting with the sand and water. Well, not the water!

Elias playing in the water.

Sebastian building sand castles

Daddy helping Sebastian

We were so glad to see Sebastian playing this year.  It was a year ago from this time that he was so sick. He could barely walk, he cried and cried, he was just so sad. He's just a joy and so happy now! It's awesome to see.

We enjoyed the beach, until the last 2 days when the No Swimming Flags went up due to Hurricane Ida, heading straight at us!

We weren't sure if our plane would get us out before it struck! And of course noone knows how bad or exactly where it will land, but it was looking like right where we were!   Our plane did leave and the area had a tropical storm, so it wasn't as bad as was feared.

Looking forward to next year!

Ironman 2009

We recently went to Panama City Beach FL for my husband to compete in his 4th Ironman competition. We always have a nice time, rent a nice condo, see some local sights. This time was no different!

At one of the Official Ironman Dinners, a real Ironman and my husband.  Ooops, I mean, my husband and a real Ironman...nope, I did it again, I mean Ironman and Ironman! Elias was jealous he wasn't at this dinner.

The swim start is at 7am...it is so cold and so early and so PACKED. The announcer literally says, if you are not a great swimmer, stay towards the back or you will be swum over. It is so crazy!

Here comes Chris, after his 2.4 mile swim. he's already stripping off his wetsuit. He finished this portion in 1:34 minutes and ranked 2065.




Here we are, waiting for Daddy to come in off his bike. The boys were clanging Cow Bells and having a grand old time! Sebastian is learning his colors, so when I said, "Daddy's wearing White, Black & Red" he kept announcing each incoming riders colors. Incorrectly. Good thing I didn't rely on him! Everyone was "yellow, red, yellow, red"



Alright! Daddy made it off the Bike!  He finished his bike portion, 112 miles, in 5 hours 24 minutes. Doing real good! Here he is into the run.

Sadly, the first parts of Daddy's run weren't too good. Actually, I was rather alarmed as I watched his numbers come in online...it was very scary, wondering what was going on out there on the run course.

After his first few parts, Daddy made a strong come back and finished his run portion, 26.2 miles, in 5 hours 10 minutes

Here comes Chris, at the Finish Line! He finished in 12:24. While it wasn't his personal best, he didn't quit!