how'd ya like to hang a stocking on a great big coconut tree?

We had a great holiday in Florida! It was my first year to celebrate Christmas without my mom and my family, so I was a bit sad at first. However, I must admit I couldn't have chosen a more agreeable place for my in-laws to live than Florida at this time of year. I'm sure I won't be singing the same tune if we ever visit in the summer, when we'll likely be fending off mosquitos the size of sparrows and collecting Nate and Vivi's sweat in a 10-gallon bucket.

The girls had a blast from the very beginning. You could say we had them at "pool." I have a hunch Charlotte is going to be a fish in the water as she gets older, just based on the fact that she tries to run straight into the pool any chance she gets.

Although Santa did not in fact sail in with their presents in a canoe, there were still bookoo gifts to be had. After the onslaught of presents, we settled into a routine of taking walks around the neighborhood and to the local park. Our favorite trip was to a local forest for a mile hike in woods filled with my all-time favorite tree, the American hornbeam (better known where I'm from as the ironwood).

We saw beautiful birds up close, some hawks and sandhill cranes, both mating pairs. Thus, I satisfied both my requirements when visiting Florida: nature walk and bird-watching. If you're interested, you can check out more pictures of our trip in this Flickr slideshow:

There is but a flitting moment, 

wherein to hope or to enjoy, 

But in the calendar of memory, 

that moment is all time. 

-Tupper