Wonderful Family Time in Marathon

---

We’ve had 3 wonderful days and 4 special nights with our family all together in Marathon, Florida. We’ve laughed and hugged enough to catch up for the past 2 months, with maybe a little extra to hold us for a while. The grandchildren have been a joy, even when they got loud and rowdy, which wasn’t too often (except for Timmy, he’s a noisy fellow.)

We’ve had wonderful meals. Crystal made Manhattan Clam Chowder the first night and Michael made cheddar garlic biscuits. We had pizza (Kerry’s favorite) the second night. Last night David made a shrimp boil, with 5 pounds of shrimp, corn on the cob, onions, potatoes and broccoli all boiled together, and Michael grilled mahi-mahi outside with lime juice and lemon pepper. Tonight we had stone crab claws, which were most excellent. Michael and David were determined to get plenty of seafood this trip.

The weather was a little cool the first few days for the children (or adults) to swim in the pool. The last 2 days were marvelous, and even I got in the pool today. They went to the beach yesterday at Sombrero Beach, but the water was cool, so they came back to the house to swim. They did enjoy the beach and playing in the sand. Today Michael took Sean, Ethan and Sara fishing, while David took Misty, Daniel and Timmy souvenir shopping. David, Timmy, Daniel and Misty looked so cute in their new tropical duds. The two Jenna’s enjoyed the pool with us.

We shopped for groceries tonight while we had wheels to get to the store as tomorrow it’s back to living on the water. Our cupboards are full, our clothes are clean, and our souls are refreshed. The kids are leaving in the morning, driving back to Tennessee, where it’s a bit cooler than here. (The 7 day forecast for Marathon is for highs in the 70’s and lows in the upper 60’s.) We’ll miss them all, but cherish our time together this week. And we have lots of pictures to remind us of the good time we’ve had.

So, Happy New Year to all. May God watch over us all.

---

Photos

Playing cards
Sara and the kids

kitchen help
Trevor, Grandma and Daniel

Ethan and Daniel
looking sweet

Grandma and Jenna
sharing a moment

David and Michael
after visiting Key West

Playing the DS
Sean, Jenna, Jenna and Misty, while Michael watches

Daniel
in the pool

Ethan and Daniel
Daniel mastering the float

Jenna and Michael
eyeballing each other underwater

Mr. Pelican
keeping an eye out

Crystal and Jenna
a sweet moment

crowd in the corner
Timmy, David, Daniel and Sean

David and Timmy
Timmy liked being squirted

In the pool
Is that a full pool or what

Sara and Jenna
Jenna rode every grownup in the pool

Sara
in a peaceful moment

Timmy, David and Daniel
in their tropical shirts

All 15 of us
What are the chances of getting this many people to look this good at the same time

Last minute visiting
Togetherness

Comments

[Barbara]

LOOKS LIKE YOU ALL HAD A WONDERFUL TIME. Boys, travel safely home! Seafarers, stay warm and well. Love you all!!! Happy 2011.

[Barbara Bardecker]

Hi
HAPPY NEW YEARS! LOVE ALL THE PICTURES. tAKE CARE AND BE SAFE.

[anonymous]

What a beautiful blog. You put into words what everyone has felt. Love you Charlie. :)

[Carl Nolen]

pizza
Glad Kerry got some pizza! The most perfect food! I have enjoyed reading your blog. I know you all are having a great time. Be careful and keep writing.

[Gena]

Happy New Year
Dear All---wow, what a fun time that was had by all. I'm so glad it all worked out the way you had planned, except for being a day late. It was so sweet of you to call on Mom's birthday, she was so pleased. Jack called her, but that was it. I don't know what's up with Ron? Continue to have a great trip---keep up the great blog with pictures---love ya---gena

[Laurie Gray]

Happy New Year to you!
Loved all the pictures of your happy family. Glad you soaked up the hugs of those grandkids before heading off again! Cold here - about 25 degrees this morning - so we're at our island cabin instead of on the boat. We're traveling with you vicariously!

[pat turner]

wow
What wonderful pictures and how great all of you could be together. Love to all

[John and Martha]

Happy New Year!!!!
We had been wondering about you two. We had a blog the first couple of days after you left and then nothing. So glad you had a great reunion with your family. Keep in touch! Be safe on your journey!

[peggy]

How great you all look! Know you had a ball. miss you!! love