Key West

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Wow! We just left 70 degrees to return to 20-something! It is not an easy adjustment.
Bill, Henry, and I joined Big Bill in Key West this past week. Poppa has a two-week timeshare and invited us to join him down there. Bill and his dad drove down on Friday, and Henry and I flew on Saturday. It was Henry's first plane ride and he did GREAT! Luckily, we sent our luggage with the guys, so Henry and I just had our carry-ons. We sat on the runway due to a technical malfunction with our aircraft for about an hour and 15 mins, so Henry got a little rowdy about 30 mins before we landed. Then he fell asleep on the decent... of course!
When the guys picked us up, we unpacked and regrouped. Then, went for a walk on Duval. We found ourselves listening to music at The Bull and buying Key Lime Pie at Matthesons (the best!). We ate at Blue Heaven, where I ordered the lobster eggs benedict and Bill had the filet/lobster eggs benedict... and the roosters ran around eating Henry's crumbs. We ordered in food one night, got pizza another night from Upper Crust, ate at Prime 951 (wonderful steaks and a side of penne with melted smoked gouda), then ended with La Trattoria (claimed by locals as the best restaurant in town). The food was delicious! We strolled through a couple of small parks and found trees to climb, then swam in the heated pool at The Banyan. We even ate lunch with Mr. Jud (Poppa's friend that lives down there) on Stock Island one day.
Henry enjoyed every minute! Especially, the morning trips to the coffee shop, Sippin', then down to the docks and around Key West on hour walks. We also enjoyed a pedicab ride, bike ride, and Poppa's scooter. Henry was pretty much spoiled (I'm sure you can't imagine!) - so returning to the cold has been a shock! If you've never been to Key West, it's incredible! It's flat, so walking or bike riding is very easy. The weather is great in January too. It was 70 during the days and low 60s at night.
We had a wonderful time! Key West is a great vacation place with babies. Henry was able to go everywhere we went. He ate lobster, steak, crab bisque, and pizza - and enjoyed it all!! Our time down there was too short... so maybe we'll stay longer next year!

Zoo!

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Bill and I decided to have a family outing with Henry today... so we visited the Montgomery Zoo! I wasn't sure which was father and which was son because Bill acted like he was 2 instead of 32. I found myself "lagging" because Bill and Henry were so excited to see the next exhibit that we were rushing through all of them. If you know Bill, then you know what I mean. Ha! He gets so excited about these things, but especially the snakes (which was a little disappointing) and the train ride, which he previously determined we would ride twice before we left today. I, however, was really excited about the baby giraffe and baby elephant - which turned out to be the highlight of the day. We rode the train and enjoyed the entire morning... we may even become Zoo members!

Merry Christmas!

We had a busy holiday season! We started the Christmas celebration with Mom's family in Birmingham. Hayley and Jimbo were so gracious to host all 12 of us (plus 3 - almost 4 - of them). They have a beautiful home and we thoroughly enjoyed being together. Aunt Gigi arranged for us to see Mama Dear's house (where my mother grew up and where I lived post-college, pre-Robertson). The house has been renovated by a lovely family. Bill and I took a picture with Henry where Bill proposed 6 1/2 years ago. Wow!! Time flies.
We then spent a week in Eufaula to celebrate the season. On Monday, we went to Huggin' Molly's in Abbeville for Mom's birthday, then spent the night at Mr. Bill and Keitt's house. Molly, Eric, Alyce and Billy were there for the Blackmon Party on the 23rd and for Christmas with the Robertsons on Christmas Eve morning. Poppa and Keitt gave Henry fantastic gifts and we all enjoyed Elmo!
We went to the Candlelight Service with Mom, Dad, Lindsay and Will and sat with the Bowmans (dad's family). We then waited for Santa to come and Henry was so excited he woke up at midnight and didn't go back to bed until 2:30 a.m. Is this a sign of things to come??? I hope not!
We had a wonderful Christmas morn at Mom and Dad's and then drove back to Montgomery to celebrate Christmas with Mrs. Patsy, Molly, Eric, and Alyce. We ate a delicious turkey/dressing lunch and enjoyed watching Henry open his gifts... where he amazed us at how much he could play with the corn popper!
It was a wonderful time with family and friends. God has blessed us so much! 2008 has been a wonderfully, amazing year... the birth of our first child! I thought so much of Mary during the Christmas season. It is hard to imagine all the joy and sorrow she felt throughout Jesus' life. Bill and I love Henry so much it seems crazy. I cannot imagine what Mary went through. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for Henry's life and our families that give us so much love and support. Merry Christmas!!