More Florida 2011!

On Wednesday we drove to Kennedy Space Center and spent the afternoon there. We enjoyed looking at all the space stuff. We took the bus tour out to the observation deck and enjoyed our stops and the views. We noticed it looked like rain so we decided to go to the Imax 3-D film about Hubble. The movie was great. While we were at the movie it rained really hard and it apparently it also hailed. We heard on the news the next day that the shuttle's solid rocket boosters may have experienced some damage because of the hail.

We drove to Orlando that evening and checked into the time share. It was a great place to stay. We enjoyed the kitchen, rooms and living room. We went to Downtown Disney for supper on Wednesday night. We ate at Planet Hollywood and also walked around for a bit (in the rain!)

Jeff in "rocket park" at Cape Canaveral- Kennedy Space Center. Here we all are in front of the NASA sign. There was so much to see at Kennedy. Space Shuttle Endeavor is on the launch pad ready for launch on April 29. This is the last time Endeavor will be launched. Atlantis is scheduled to launch this summer. That means only 2 more launches until the shuttles retire. It was cool to know Endeavor was on the launch pad even though we couldn't see all of it. Jeff and I by Saturn V.

Paul, Brieann and Mike by Saturn V. This thing is HUGE. It is so cool to see something that was actually up in space.

Here I am touching a real moon rock. Pretty cool.

Florida 2011!

We arrived in FL on Sunday night. Brieann picked us up from the airport and drove us to their place in Margate (near Fort Lauderdale). Monday morning we went to the ocean. Mike, Susan and Brieann baked on the beach for awhile. Jeff and I enjoyed our swim in the ocean! It was not busy at all because it had rained that morning. There were about 3 other people there when we got there. It did get busier and when we left in the afternoon it was getting fuller. Paul worked on Monday, but will be able to be with us for the rest of the week. Monday night we went to Mai Kai, a Polynesian restaurant. The food was good and the show was great. It POURED on Monday night, but we had planned to be inside anyway while at Mai Kai. Hopefully the weather will cooperate.

Tuesday morning we jumped in the car and headed down by Alligator Alley. We met Captain Parker on his airboat and went for a private guided tour of the everglades! It was really cool. The captain actually said that he was very thankful for the two inches of rain we got yesterday because it made for a better tour. He said prior to the rain we would not have been able to see as much because we wouldn't have been able to get through some of the "skinny water" as he called them. We saw sooo many alligators (big ones, baby ones and everything in between). We got right next to them and enjoyed our great tour. There were all kinds of birds too. Speaking of birds... while scooting along at a pretty good pace a big blue heron decided to drop a gift on us. Actually, mostly on Brieann! The bird pooped in mid-flight and it splattered down right on Brieann's face and then splattered back on Jeff and me. Jeff and I just got the crap all over our shirts- Brieann got the worst of it. It was quite hilarious. What a memory that will be. We ate at TGI Friday's for lunch on the way home. We spent some time by the pool at Paul and Brieann's place. The guys swam while the rest of us sunned ourselves. Then the thunderclouds started to roll in so we went back inside. A night of relaxation is ahead so we are ready for our busy days ahead. We will eat some brats, watch a movie and then go out for frozen yogurt later on tonight at Yogurtland (Paul says it is a must-do)!. Hopefully, I will have time to update more later this week! We are heading to Cape Canaveral tomorrow!! Then Disney Thursday through Saturday.

Some baby alligators! Aren't they cute! Don't get between them and the momma!

Here we are on the airboat!

He's looking for dinner!

Some birds with really long legs. Our guide said their name had stilt in it, but I don't remember exactly what they were called.

Jeff and I enjoying the ride.

What are you looking at?!

Mike and Susan were really tuckered out after the first night! So cute! Just wait til the end of the week.

The dancers at the show on Monday night. They could really shake it! : )

Jeff and I at the Polynesian restaurant.

Here we are in the ocean! Can you tell we have been in Minnesota for the entire winter (very white skin!!)?

Mike and Susan ready for our vacation. Jeff and I at the MSP airport.

Gus Wants Our Dinner

Welcome to the family, Carson!

Carson Gary Lee was born on Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 9:36 pm, weighing in at a healthy 8 lbs. 6 oz! He is a cutie!! Congrats to Garrett and Priscilla!

Here are a few pics taken when we went to meet him for the first time this weekend.

Gavin meeting his little brother for the first time!

"Jeff and Melissa's Day of Fun!"

Jeff and I spent the afternoon/evening in the cities on Saturday. I called it "Jeff and Melissa's Day of Fun!" heheh! We went to Benihana for an early dinner. It was quite yummy and entertaining. This is the restaurant where they cook the food in front of you on the open grill (Japanese style). Then we went to Lake Street (Minneapolis) to the Midtown Global Market to do something a little different. We walked around there and looked at the interesting things at the little shops. We bought some dessert and ate it there. Next, we made our way to downtown St. Paul. It was such a beautiful evening we decided to walk around a while. Unfortunately, the ice sculptures were just taken down in Rice Park. We'll have to go a little earlier next year!

Me by the Herb Brooks sculpture... do you believe in miracles? We did see this one ice sculpture by one of the restaurants/bars (they also had a bar and a table and chairs made of ice). Jeff sitting in the ice throne!

Neal Broten received the "Lifetime Achievement Award" for hockey while at the Wild Game.

Jeff and I at the Wild Game (they won against the Blues 3-1)! GO WILD!

Happy 2nd Birthday Gavin!

We were excited to help Gavin celebrate his 2nd birthday... hits of the party included Elmo, Thomas the Train and cars/trucks/4-wheelers (the clothes, not so much, but who can blame the kid!!).

Mom made Gavin a banner and a super cute card with his friends Elmo, Big Bird and Cookie Monster! Pretty cute!

Love ya Gavin!

How old are you Gavin??? He says "two" while holding up one finger on each hand! Pretty cute!

Gavin even had an Elmo cake!!

The dogs were a little tuckered out.

I guess Gavin is ready to eat!

Grandma, Grandpa and Gavin (all in green)!

We were happy to be home. We spent some time at my mom and dad's and got to see Mike, Susan and Grandma at church before heading back to Hutch. It is too bad that Roseau is soooo far away.

Merry Christmas- 2010!! (Part 2)

The Didrikson cousins and their spouses - that were home for the holidays. We missed the rest of them.
Thor, Kelsey, Kaydi, Dana and Kirsten

My mom and her family!

Susan is a big fan of Scrabble!!

We have given Grandma a Norwegian calendar every year.

Mike, Margie, Grandma and Susan ready to dish up too!

Jeff, David, Peggy and Mike getting ready to eat some yummy food!