On an Everglades boat cruise through the mangroves, the black, red and grey mangroves,
photographing all the way. 

Wood Stork watching an egret search for insects.












Although this anhinga has its head above water, we saw this bird swim for several minutes entirely under water! 

The anhinga doesn't have oil on its featghers so it must stretch out its wings to dry in the sun.


What would the everglades be without crocodiles?










Lots of white ibis too! 

The everglades captured our imagination more than any other place. The wildlife and vegetation in
this vast "floating river" kept us avidly watching every movement in the water and the bushes.













We learned the names of tropical birds , like this anhinga which can swim underwater.















And this beautiful wood stork.


















There were lots of great blue herons. 

Once back in Florida, we headed to the Keys. This is Hamilton Park in Key West.










We were anxious to catch the sunset the night we arrived and rushed to Old Town....................we were not alone.














The sunset was beautiful. And the wharf was filled with entertainers: magicians, one-man band, various musicians, and this well balanced unicyclist. 

Those Italians know how to throw a party! This is "Toga Night", the finale party before landing.










And who are we to refuse the fun?!?
 

We spent a day at an "all inclusive" resort Casa del Mar near La Romana in the Dominican Republic: day price included a chaise lounge near the infinity pool....or the beach, all the food and drink you could stomach, snorkeling or other aqua sports gear, including sailboats, canoes, kayaks.









The water was very clear and there was a coral reef just off the swimming area. We went snorkeling. 

We played games on the deck. This is a competition between the Beautiful Babes (men dressed in pink) and the Muscle Men (women in fake muscle chests).








Can you recognize me...disguised in dark glasses? 

Determined to get those photos at dusk before heading to downtown San Juan.












The Christmas decorations were still up in Old Town San Juan: elaborate, colorful stories in lights.

The parks are enjoyed almost 24/7 in San Juan.












Kids ride their bikes at amazing speeds around the parks...but want to stop to have their picture taken.











Now, I understand more about the Christmas decorations I've seen in Latin sections of L.A.

The three wise men. 

We "sailed" on an Italian ship, the Costa Magica. It was enormous, as aqre most cruise ships: about 2500+ passengers and 1000 crew who work their butts off.

The ship offered recreation decks, populated and less so. Tons of food






And time to relax.




















Here we are at the first stop- San Juan Puerto Rico. The happy couple are at Castillo de Morro. 

In January, we visited my mother, Louise, in Lake Worth Florida. Cousins from Germany, Heinz and Inge had celebrated Christmas with her. Jim and I joined Mother on a Caribbean cruise and Inge and Heinz stayed in Florida. 

Lyn and Mel were in Orlando, so we met more-or-less halfway in Vero Beach.












It was chilly, not the greatest beach day, but when you've come from the Northeast or the Northwest, any day on the beach is a good day.

These are just a fraction of the super-duper decorated Christmas cookies we made. Matt is an ace at pastry decoration: Nile and Matt brought the cookie dough and we put these materpieces together in Anacortes. 

Nancy is going to supervise "the girls" - Zoe, Sydney, Maddie and Sasha --as they light the Hanukkah candles.










Jim is opening some of his Christmas presents under the watchful eyes of three granddaughters. They made cards for us and picked out our present themselves. Giving and receiving was fun! 

Before Christmas, we went to Vancouver to see "the girls". Nancy and John were so kind to put us up. We had a pre-Christmas celebration...including a Chinese dinner which Zoe, Sasha and Maddie are waiting for. 

We found a terrific place to buy Christmas trees- the Pepper Farm . The trees are fresh, full and Mr. Pepper delivers them! Jim suggested a taller one, but I thought this one had a good shape. When we got home, I realized a taller one would have been better.














Nile and Matt made Christmas stockings when they were living in Toronto and brought them to Anacortes. I made some for Jim and me...didn't want us to be left out!