Toy Story 3

Today we saw Toy Story 3. We'd both been looking forward to seeing it for more than a year.

Apparently we are both still quite raw - because we sobbed our eyes out at the end. It was intense guys!!!!!!!!

First - it is so stinking hot in the summer here!



Lights in the movie theater


Toy Story 3


Matt and Colors enjoying a quiet moment

Home again

Our first full day back home. The first time my husband slept in his bed in more than a month. The first time he saw our cats in a long time.

It feels good, but it doesn't. It feels wrong for feeling good.

The grief is strong, real and ever present.

Last day in Miami

Today is the day that my husband finally gets to drive away from Miami. For so many weeks, I've wanted him to come home, but this is not the way I wanted it to happen. It's very bittersweet. I feel guilty for wanting to go home, but there isn't any reason for us to be here right now. We need to go home, we need to start figuring out what the new normal is.

Before we headed out, I photographed some of the lovely flowers that have found their way into my parents house since the funeral.

Parrots, Penguins and Parties Pt 3

At the end of a long but great day, we got together at my parents house to celebrate Jack's birthday. There was pool time for Jack and his buddies, presents, tons of food and two kinds of cake!

Jack and friends in the pool







Tina came over with her gorgeous daughter - aren't they lovely?







The birthday boy takes a break from presents to attend to his legion of fans









Max and his mama





Jack, Emily and James


Jack is 8!!!!!!!!!!!!


Mark and Jack celebrated their birthdays together with both kinds of cake - Ice Cream and Cheesecake!

Parrots, Penguins and Parties Pt 2

Here are some images of the incredible beauty you can enjoy at Jungle Island.

Now - onto Penguins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here they are all lined up for us

And it's officially penguin time!!!!!!

They were willing to pose oh so nicely

Don't mind Jack's face. He's slowly melting due to the heat :)

This is what happens when you bring out the bucket of fish

Yes please, I will have a fishy

This is a baby flamingo - the only one to survive this year. She's only 3 months old. 

Back to penguins

Any more fishies guys?

This is Rafiki. He spent the ENTIRE time trying to smuggle himself home with me. He was my shadow - wherever I went, he followed. I was the only one who did not feed them fishies - so it definitely wasn't a food thing. The animal handlers were cracking up - they said that penguins definitely can choose favorites. Apparently I was Rafiki's favorite. I nearly stepped on him a dozen times because he was THISCLOSE to me!

Posing on the rocks

Matt petting a penguin

Matt, Jack and a penguin

Libby finally meets a penguin!

We nicknamed this one Grandma Penguin - she's in her 30's. About 10 years older than the oldest penguin in the wild. She has arthritis and can't walk well, so she stays in the water most of the time. 

More penguins

Apparently penguins are very cat like. They LOVE to play string!

The flamingos at Jungle Island - just like the old Parrot Jungle.