Yea, we're in Florida. We arrived Tuesday afternoon to warm skies with a mild breeze. Emily and I immediately went to our favorite manatee-viewing spot, and there were 6 there! They were coming up for air and flipping their tails. Some people who have lived here for years have never seen one, but Em and I really luck out. We've been visiting with Minor and Melissa, and just returned from a beautiful Christmas dinner at Val and Bill's condo on the gulf. On Wednesday afternoon Laurie and Barb hosted a nice picnic on the beach, and we just kicked back and waded in the water and lounged in chairs.

Kate and Rob leave for the Keys tomorrow morning, and Doug, Emily, Minor and I are going to Corkscrew Swamp to hunt up some gators.

We're reveling in the lack of responsibility here -- we show up at certain times at certain places...but really have nothing pressing we need to do. After so much running around, it's truly a vacation for us.