Visitors

 

 On my Christmas list I asked for people to come visit us, and I have received that gift many times over. 

Shortly after the New Year, my parents flew out to experience the Florida winter and Molly's birthday.  Unfortunately, the Florida winter was actually on the chilly side and Will started having flu symptoms the evening they flew in.  However, we managed to make it to the beach and celebrate Molly's birthday in style.

 

 We also ate at a couple of nice restaurants including Helga's which is an echt Bavarian restaurant that the boys were extremely excited to show L'Opa. 

 Nana gave Molly a few tutus and Molly loves to twirl in them (once you convince her to put them on...she can be very stubborn and I am just not so sure where she inherited that trait from...)

 Despite the cold, we had a fun time at the beach and the kids played quite happily in the sand.

 For Molly's birthday, I made a chocolate chip and peanut butter chip cookie cake.  Very rich and very good.  The fact that it was slightly underdone did not seem to bother anyone too much.

 Shortly after Nana and L'Opa departed, my good friend and bridge partner flew out for her beach vacation.  Just in time for me to catch the flu.  Luckily, I manage to only have friends who are extremely low maintenance, so she went right along with the new itinerary, which involved her taking care of my kids as I spent the first day in bed.  The weather was a little warmer for her visit.  Not enough to actually get in the water (though our children did not get that memo), but enough to lounge on the beach in our NEW BEACH CHAIRS!!!  (Go back and read that like the announcer from The Price is Right, I think your blog experience will be much in improved).  Though I was leery about Eric's idea to check out a new beach site, I fell in love with it.  It is a little bit of a walk and there are no on site bathrooms, but it is isolated and beautiful.  Definitely my new favorite spot along the shore.

 Shortly after Ann's departure, we got an email from Eric's brother, Brian, that he would be making a trip east for a nice beach vacation.  Again, the weather was not particularly cooperative, but we did manage to get back to the gulf for an hour of fun in the sand.  It was one of the windiest days we had been to the gulf, so the waves were huge.  The kids tried out their new sand toys and we played soccer on the beach.  Shortly after Uncle Brian left, we welcomed my God-Daughter, Alicia, and her children into our home.  Just in time for me to lose my voice...but, we still had a great time watching the kids play together and getting a couple of games in before she headed back to Ohio.

 

 You never rank your guests, but I'm going to have to say the last one is the absolute easiest.  He doesn't need to be fed or have his sheets changed.  He always has a smile on his face and is happy to go where you take him.  Mr. Flat Stanley can stay for as long as he wants.  Or until Molly puts him in her mouth.  

 

When will you be planning your visit?