January

We came back from Floria with Nana and Pops tanned and relaxed. The weather (hard to believe now) was 86 degrees most days. In MN we have been trapped indoors with temps 30 below zero, quite a swing. Florida was great! Elizabeth hated the pool, loved the beach (after 2-3 days) got to feed many seagulls (tomatoes which apparently they love) and saw her first pelican. We looked for hermit crabs and starfish and saved a few from the local poachers by throwing them in a little further in then they were willing to wade. She would pick them up and proudly yell "throw." The first few days Elizabeth would not go near the water by the third day she was running in and out and sitting in the surf! She loved to climb the stairs and press the button on the elevator. We ate more seafood than George in the Shrimp episode of Seinfeld. Elizabeth really enjoyed her time with Nana and Pops and got to spend another week with them in Buffalo right after. N&P did not know we were coming so this was a great surprise! Buffalo was great as usual. We got to visit with Babula and Alynn, Sveta and Alex, Leona,Inga, Misha and Rossik. We spent Christmas with all of my side of the family at Sean and Maryanne beautiful new home. All in all it was a perfect time to spend with family.

When we came home it was back to business as usual. We went up to the twin cities and spent New Year's day at the MN Children's Museum, where we promptly became members. Elizabeth spent her time painting, "shopping, cooking and cutting an album." We spend a lot of our free time there and enjoy it completely. MN makes up for the lack of family around with plenty to do with kids. It is crazy how many family/children things there are to do.

We spent some quality time with Dedosh and Alla and enjoyed a visit with our dear friend Alicia. It was great to have some East Coast over in the Midwest! Alicia we miss you so we were glad the flight was delayed again.....and again!