Christmas in Florida

As I stated in a previous blog, this year we decided (I coerced Mario into it) to spend Christmas in Florida.  Out of our 18 years of married life, I can only count on one hand the Christmases that we have spent with the whole family.  This was a perfect opportunity to go because Alex, Mario's brother, was getting married in the Orlando Temple just a few days after Christmas.

We couldn't bring all the gifts with us on the plane, so we had a pre-Christmas present opening before we left.

Zachary bought Nate a snowboard

Nate spent almost every dime he had to buy this giant dog for Zach

It even snowed (a little) on our fake Christmas Day

Erin, the twins, and I left on Tuesday, December 17 because the plane tickets were so much cheaper to fly that day.  Eric and Mario came out the following Sunday.  On Wednesday, the day after I flew out, a blizzard hit Omaha and dumped 8 inches of snow.  So Mario and Eric had a great time playing and cleaning it up while the kids and I enjoyed the beautiful Florida beaches.    Eric had his first snow day off from school.

Playing at the beach

Ice skating

Our new favorite family game from Grandma and Papa

All the cousins together on Christmas Eve

The four cousins in front of the very cute homemade fireplace

Nate gave Erin Pooh Bear pjs

We got lots of Dollar Tree Christmas presents from the kids

Mario with one of his best friends, Burton Adams

Rachel and Alex at their reception in Miami

We had such a great visit to Florida.  It is so fun to see my parents and siblings and to see all the cousins play together.  It really makes me wish we could live closer.  But we have just over 5 more years until retirement (if Mario retires at exactly 20 years which sometimes I doubt.)  It was so great to visit with Burton and his sweet family and we loved attending Alex's wedding and reception and seeing Mario's side of the family again.  

Now I am just left to endure the Nebraska winter.  But I bought a cute pair of boots to wear and it hasn't been windy.  So it is totally tolerable (so far.)  The kids are really enjoying playing outside so we will enjoy the four seasons for a few more years and then hopefully be able to enjoy year-round warmth.