Today I finally got to do what I came down here to do.  I went to the beach with Erik, Carmen, Sarah, me and Mum and Pop.  What a blast!  Sara and I had so much fun.  Here she buried me in the sand.  That was OK with me.  The sand was almost as white as the snow in Minnesota but soft and warm.

After playing in the sand for a while I did a little swimming.  It was cold but I just had to say I did it.  The waves were big and one time my Pop actually had to run into the water and save me from going out to sea.  I wasn’t scared though.  I knew Pop would take care of me.

After we got done at the beach we went to this really neat Air Force museum.  There were all kinds of fighter planes there.  I knew you’d like this picture.  I said “Don’t mess with me – I had a really bad day”  Everyone thought that was really funny.

These planes were so neat.  We met a man named Kent who explained that he helped design one of the airplanes.  How fun would that be?  He must have the best job in the world.

I took so many pictures I wish I could show you all of them.  This picture is of me standing on a SR-71 Blackbird.  I’d give anything to be able to sit in the cockpit but Pop said I had to be happy just being able to stand on the wing.

This is a picture of a MOAB (Mother of all Bombs).  Pop says when you think you’re having a really bad day, think about having one of these coming at you.

This was a really neat day and I’m really glad I got to go.  I’ll have so many things to tell my friends back home about.  That will make them really jealous.

Tomorrow we’re going to drive 500 miles to a place called Lake Placid, Florida to see my Mum’s Aunt and Uncle.  I’ve never met them before but I’m always anxious to make more friends.  After that we off to see some more friends who live in Bonita Beach, Florida.  I’ll be keeping you posted on where I’m at and what other fun things I’m doing.

We finally got to Florida on Friday.  It was a long trip.  I thought that as soon as we got out of Minnesota it would be warm and no snow.   Not True!!!

Pop had to drive and drive and drive.  It seemed as if everytime we drove into another state there was still snow.  Maybe not as much, but still snow.  Now I know for sure that I don’t want to see any more snow until next Christmas.

Finally we didn’t see any more snow but it was still cold.  Mum told me to bring my jacket along and I’m glad I did.  I was starting to wonder how much farther we had to go before I would be warm again.

Now we’re in Florida and it’s finally warming up – not a lot though. Yesterday it was raining in the morning so we all went shopping.  What for you say?  Books and purses, books and purses, books and purses.  For me it was kinda boring because I wanted to do something more fun.

Finally in the afternoon the sun came out so me, Sarah, Erik, Carmen and Mum went for a long walk down to the park.  Sarah and I got to slide down the slides but Mum forgot to take the camera along so we didn’t get any pictures of that.  It was really fun though and we were up so high.  This one slide had curves in it so when I would slide down it would turn me over on the way down.  Mum or Erik was always there to catch me though at the bottom.  Except for one time and I landed in the sand.  It didn’t hurt much though.

As you can see Sara and me became instant friends.  She didn’t forget me and we’re going to spend lots of time together on this vacation.  I wish Mum would have let Grace come along.  Sara would have liked Grace.

I also made a new friend.  His name is Garrett.  Garrett is sorta like my brother because  he also has a beard.  Not as big as mine but he’s working on it.  I like that name Garrett.  I’m going to see if Mum will let me give that name to one of the new gnomes that we adopted.

Today is finally the day we get to go to the beach.  I’m so ready.  This time I’ll make sure we have the camera along and I’ll have Mum take pictures of me in the sand.  I gotta go and put on my shorts and sandals.

Tomorrow is the day Mum, Pop and me leave for warmer weather.  We’re driving to Florida to see my brother Erik, my Sister-In-Law Carmen and my niece Sara.  I can hardly wait.

I’m all packed.  Mum said we aren’t going to take the Mustang because we might run into some bad weather so we’re going to take Pop’s truck instead.  I don’t care as long as we go.  I’m going to bring my bathing suit in case I want to go swimming while I’m down there.  I’m going to bring my snorkel gear along to if  Mum and Pop let me. Mum says it will probably be to cold but maybe I can at least stick my toes in the water.  I’ll bet you think that I only wear my boots but “not true”.  I have a pair of sandals and even some shorts. 

I’ve never been to Florida before.  Mum says if we really like it in Florida we’ll come down every winter.  I already know I’m going to like it.  Sand is so much better than snow.

I asked Mum if we could take Grace along but she said not this year.  She said there wasn’t enough room in the truck, but how much room could she take?  I think she just doesn’t want to take her along because she’s a girl. I think she would have been some good company for me.

I’ll be taking lots of pictures and keep you posted on where we are and what we’re doing.  It won’t be as much fun as we have when we take the motorcycle but it will make the winter go a little faster.

I want to introduce you to the next new members of our family.  Their names are Peder and Morten.  These two fellows just arrived after spending several months being re-introduced back into society.  They were both probably the most neglected of the gnomes my Mum bought but didn’t they clean up nice.  Of course, that meant all new cloths and hats, baths, shaves and haircuts and re-learning social skills.

I’m going to start with Peder.  He’s the one in prayer.  He’s the saintly one and has the mildest manners ever.  Peder is very soft spoken, gentle in spirit and a love of animals.  I’m sure he’ll be the peace maker for the rest of my gnome friends.  After spending just a few minutes with Peder, I knew he’d be a wonderful addition to the family.

Next is Morton. I’m not completely sure about Morton yet.  He seems to have a very strong personality.  I’m not saying he’s going to be a problem, I just have a feeling him and my Mum might have some serious discussions as to exactly the role he’ll be playing in the garden setting.  He said before he came to live at our house he was of  managerial status, however if that was so how did he get to be in such a state when we rescued him.  Time will tell I suppose.