Key West

Pete and I decided it would be really wonderful to have a little trip before the new baby arrives. Pete's parents eagerly and graciously offered to keep Taylor for us while we went down to Key West for a couple of nights. Our friends Billy and Jessica met us in Homestead Thursday night and then we all headed down for the three hour drive to Key West Friday morning. On the way down we stopped at World Wide Sportsman, Robbie's, Islandmorada Bakery, and the No Name Bar. We got to the hotel at around 4:00 and then headed downtown. We ate dinner at the most amazing restaurant called Blue Heaven and then walked down Duval street before heading back to our hotel.
Saturday we had a delicious breakfast at the hotel and then went downtown where we rented bikes. We rode all over the town starting at the historical cemetery. We went to The Little White House, the Southern Most Point of the United States, the Oldest House in Key West, Panama's birth spot, Mel Fisher Museum and rode past other historical sites including Hemingway's House. We ate lunch outside, under the trees, at a the Southern Most Brewery. We went back to the hotel around 5:00 and then drove north one Key to have dinner at Hogfish Bar and Grill, which came highly recommend. The food was wonderful and we got to hear a couple of tunes from the Monks, before leaving. Billy and Jessica went back downtown to celebrate New Years while Pete and I decided that we would rather sow some tamer oats. We took a dip in the pool and then at the last minute, decided to go watch a late movie. We were two of four people in the theater (who goes all the way down to Key West and sits in a movie theater on New Years?) and we both nodded off a couple of times during the movie, but we were so glad to have had the chance to go.
Sunday we ate another amazing breakfast before heading back to Homestead. We stopped at Alabama Jack's for lunch and were able to enjoy the warm sun, some couch fritters, good fish and even got to watch Kathy Lee Gifford dance with her dog.
It was an incredible trip filled with good friends, incredible food, and great memories. Although we packed each day full, we felt rejuvenated on our return and were beyond grateful for the time to be together!

Fox House

e stayed at Pete's mom and dad's this Christmas and were so blessed that both of them are home all day and we were able to spend time with them. Taylor had so much fun playing with her grandparents and all of their fun toys. She has also become quite attached to her blanket and will point at it if you do not pick it up with her out of the crib. It is so cute to watch her drag it around the house, especially because it is twice her size.

Christmas Day

Christmas day is always busy with visiting family. On Christmas morning we woke up and headed over to the Frye house to open presents and eat breakfast with my mom , dad and Clay. We missed having Colt and Bethany with us this year but know they were enjoying their time in NC with Bethany's family.

A red rider bee bee gun with a compass on the stock and this thing which tells time!

Uncle Clay bought this adorable elephant backpack on his trip to Guatemala

We then got to go and worship at Redlands Community Church before heading back over to the Fox's for some gift opening and lunch. I took mostly video of this time so there are only a couple of pictures to post.

Don and Delores looking at "Taylor's First Year" book

This was a doll that Pete's great grandmother made for Pete when he was little. Delores has been saving it for a granddaughter.

Around 3:30 it was back to the Frye's for Christmas dinner and to be with the extended Frye/Douglas crew. We had a wonderful supper, opened gifts, had a fun white elephant exchange and played a little Pit before crashing at the end of the night.

When Jenny, Steven and Wyatt got to Homestead on Wednesday we had our second round of Christmas gifts and dinner with all of the Fox family.

It was a wonderful Christmas. We feel so fortunate to get to be with our families and to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Christmas Eve, Fox Style

Pete has been celebrating Christmas Eve at his grandparents house for as long as he has been alive. I have had the privilege of being included in this tradition for probably around 13 years now. This is the one time of year when we are able to spend time with the extended Fox family. There is a lot of good food, good fellowship, OK singing, and gifts. It was a lot of fun watching Tay opening her gifts this year, she actually really enjoyed the gifts as well as the wrapping.