Keys Recap: Fun in the Sun Days 1-3

We all had lots of fun hanging out with our extended family. We were greeted each day with Morgan and Avery singing "He is Lord", which they learned at Vacation Bible School and which also happens to be one of those songs that you cannot get out of your head. We'd find ourselves singing it in their absence if that is any indication. The place where we were staying was a really interesting community. Mostly older people who have retired there. Lots of snowbirds that won't even be back until winter.

They had all sorts of rules, but our favorites come from the pool. They had rules like "No food or beverages in the pool area", "no one with diapers or an incontinence problem is permitted in the big pool", clearly saying CRAP IN THE TODDLER POOL ONLY! Or, my sister-in-law Amy's personal favorite. "No one with communicable diseases or open sores allowed in the pool". This was so important, that it was not only listed on the list of pool rules, but also had it's very own sign. Obviously, this has been an issue in the past.

Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable place to stay, with a place to dock the boat right behind the house and a pool within walking distance.

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On our first full day in the Keys, the guys went fishing while the ladies hung out with the kids, tried to figure out schedules, and took the girls to the pool. They didn't come back from fishing with too many fish, but they came back with tales of barracuda eating the fish off their lines as they were reeling them in!

*Please note: I have taken artistic license with this photo. There's one more guy on the boat than actually went out on the first day - my uncle, who happened to be down in the Keys and went out fishing with the guys one day. This wasn't actually taken on the first day of the trip. It was like the third or fourth day, but it fits with the description of the first day. So sue me. :)

The next day, we headed to Key West (about 25 minutes away) to take the kids to the aquarium there. It was really humid and hot, but the kids enjoyed watching the sharks get fed, seeing the iguana who has made it's home there, and seeing lots of other fish and animals. Bennett REALLY liked the iguana, but it didn't care for him too much. The other little girl in the picture with Morgan is her cousin, Avery.

After the aquarium, we had lunch and then ice cream and then walked back through Mallory Square, behind the aquarium on our way out. The picture on the right is of all four cousins: Bennett, Avery, Morgan and Miles.

After we got home and had naps, Amy and I took the girls down to the pool for some more swimming. There was a swimming area in the ocean, but the girls (and Moms!) preferred the pool.

Day three marked the exact halfway point between the girls' birthdays, so we picked that day to celebrate. The girls started out the morning by playing some Wii (please take note of the vast amount of large items blocking the TV from Bennett), hanging out on the porch outside the house, and then celebrating their birthday with a feast of their choosing (peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and macaroni and cheese). Followed, of course by cake, which everyone enjoyed!

This concludes your tour of the first half of our trip to the Keys. Tips are welcomed.