"Shopping Trip to Miami"

Having been interested in the US Customs/DEA/IRS auction for some time, we were finally able to attend. This auction requires about 5 days to participate. There is registration and previewing one day, the auction 2 days later, and then picking up purchases on another day. It's amazing to see all the items seized. We didn't bid on the truck load of Huggies Diapers that sold for $9000.00, but we did bid on the helicopter parts valued at $70,000.00. There was one other bidder who evidently knew the value of the parts. We stopped bidding and he won. Oh well, maybe we'll get a deal the next time! It was a very interesting auction to attend.
We stayed at a nice resort in Weston, just west of Ft. Lauderdale. In our spare time we shopped at the World's largest Outlet Mall, toured Ft. Lauderdale by vehicle and by water on the tour boat "Carrie B.". We ate at several great restaurants on the waterfront. We also drove 80 miles across the Everglades and toured Naples.

"We enjoyed the large pool at our resort"

"Many travel by water taxi in Ft. Lauderdale"

"This home was owned by the Six Million Dollar Man-Lee Majors"

"Muli-million dollar homes with yachts parked like cars line the Ft. Lauderdale waterfront"

"House used in filming the old Miami Vice T.V. series"

"We ate lunch at Roland Martin's Marina and Fishing Resort on the edge of Lake Okeechobee. He is a famous professional fisherman."

"Thousands of acres of sugar cane surrouding the processing facility"

"Post Office with one customer in Ochopee, Fl. in the Everglades

"One HOT Cruise"

Heather and Adam recently brought Abi up to Chattanooga for her first cruise on Play Dough. Even though temperatures had been 100+ for several days, we all had a great trip. In order to stay cool we cruised during the morning hours. We also ran the generator when not parked in the covered slip and plugged up to shore power. This allowed us to have continuous A/C in the cabin.

It was actually too hot to swim. Without much shade around, the marina pool looked sooo hot. We all opted for afternoon naps onboard the boat and a trip to the Mall. Yes, Abi has learned to shop! She was also very entertained by the live band at the Marina's restaurant as they played island tunes!

"Abi tries out her SEA LEGS"

"Family Cruise"

"Abi and Dad ready for cruising"

"You never know what kind of traffic you'll meet on the river!"

"Youngest Captain on the River!"

"Abi decided being a captain was hard work, so she took a nap in the cool cabin while cruising up river"

"Cooling Towers at the Power Plant near Soddy Daisy, TN"

"As Logan continues to grow, he'll soon be ready for cruising"

Perdido Key, FL

We're just back from a week on the Gulf coast with Abi and Logan. Oh yea, they brought their parents along. Our Condo was located on the Intracoastal Waterway about 1/2 mile inland from the coast. We had our own private beach on the ICW just out our back door. You may remember some of these pictures from our time boating through this area. These condos we discovered from the boat, later tracked down their exact location and found one of the units to rent. Even though we were in the heart of the oil spill, we did not actually see any oil on the coast or the ICW. We saw lots of workers and equpment mostly as a show of force rather than solving the problems.

We enjoyed the usual beach activities along with something new this trip, playing with the babies. Then there was the two hour trip to Winn Dixie. On our way across the bridge we saw law enforcement at every side street. We immediately knew that the Presidental Motorcade would be passing through. Just as we arrived at the grocery, deputies blocked the parking lot exits. It was two hours before the motorcade passed and traffic was allowed to go.
We were all thankful for a great time and everyone arriving home safely.

"We were in the green condo on the end" "Logan worked on his muscles so he could show them off at the beach"

"Abi loved her beach ball"

" We saw no oil on beautiful Perdido Key Beach"

"Coast Guard was constantly monitoring for oil in the waterway"

"Abi is ready for the beach"

"Logan is growing. He spent most of his time in the cool condo."

"Logan's first swim! "

"Abi loved her pool on the beach! "

Everyone enjoyed the pool after sunset

Fun in the Water

One of the many command centers for the oil clean-up

Sunset on our private beach

Hilton Head Island

We traveled to Hilton Head Island during April for a week of R & R. It was a nice time of the year for that location. Even though it was the week of the Heritage Golf Tournament, things were not that crowded. We stayed at a resort that was very convenient. It was across from the beach and next to Coligny Plaza, with all its' shops and restaurants. We rented bikes and got our daily workout on the many miles of bike paths.
Adam, Heather and Abi came over for a few days since we were not too far from them. Abi had her first swimming pool experience and her first look at the beach. Of course she was the cutest bathing beauty on the island!
Since we were already on I-16 headed home, we just drove on over to check on Logan before turning North for home.

"Pool area at our resort"

"The bikes were a great way to tour the island and enjoy the beautiful flowers"

"Abi enjoyed the heated pool"

"Abi's first trip to the beach"

"Logan is growing!"

"Logan and his Daddy"

Logan has arrived!!!

On April 5th at 7:41 pm, Logan William, our first grandson was born!! We were all blessed with an adorable, healthy 7lb. 5oz. boy. Brock and Diane's first child arrived a few days earlier than expected, but grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends all managed to be at the hospital for his arrival! We are busy holding him and watching him change everyday as he grows! He is a handsome boy and a very good baby! Being grandparents is truly "Grand"!!

"Logan William"

"A precious little one"

"Proud Parents"

"Logan is a good sleeper!"

"Daddy is already dressing him for baseball!"

South for the Winter Weather

During February, we made a trip to Florida to escape the cold. Yea, right!! We did actually have a temp. of 70 degrees one day. While the temps were better than back home, it was still breezy and cool. The Orlando area was not quite far enough south. We were headed home on the day that snow was headed south into the sunshine state. Snow started about 75 miles south of home and we had a total of 4 inches before it was over.

This trip had several excursions. We attended two days of a huge 10 day equipment auction near Kissimmee, souvenir shopping. We drove over to Daytona for the Gatorade Duel Qualifying Races on Thursday. And of course, all roads headed North and South will lead you to Abigail's house. We enjoyed visits with her at the beginning and ending of our trip.

"Our balcony view at Vistana Resort"

"Need a Track hoe-there were plenty at this auction"

"Just a few of the front-end loaders at the auction"

"Home of the Daytona 500"

"We arrived home to a snow covered house"



"Our driveway looked like a winter wonderland"

"Abi is growing and gets cuter everyday!"

"Abi loves to play with Grandad"

"Winter Hibernation".

We've been very busy during these cold months. We continue to travel to Chattanooga checking on Play Dough. We have also made numerous trips to visit Abigail as she grows and changes daily. We've been to Brock and Diane's home as well helping them get things ready for their new arrival (a boy) expected in April. Our family is growing fast!

The boat requires some special care during the winter months. Many people chose to winterize their boats, which is simply putting an antifreeze solution in all wet systems, such as fresh water , waste water and engine cooling systems. However, once you winterize your boat it's pretty much unusable until spring. If someone goes onboard and uses any system, then that antifreeze is lost and thus the system is no longer protected. Since we would be visiting and staying onboard during the winter, we chose not to winterize, but take other precautions. We left our heat units set at 60 degrees. We put a heat lamp in the generator compartment to keep it warm and left an electric heater in the salon area just in case there was a malfunction of the heating system. We also left some hatches and covers open so that heat could radiate into the engine room and other areas that might freeze.

"Abi is growing!"

"The prettiest smile in the world!"

"Gigi and Abi love to talk"

"Abi looks like her Mom"

"Brock and Diane are expecting a "little fireman" in April"

"Grandad and Abi"

"Abi waiting for Santa"