NAPLES

Alina and I drove to Naples last weekend to visit our friend from Ohio, Susan Bigley.  She was in town with her 12 year-old daughter, Madeline, to help celebrate her step-father's 70th birthday!  Alina has been so busy with her new job we used the 3 hour drive time to catch up. Yakety-yak!  Susan's parent's live in a beautiful home in Pelican Bay and were great hosts.  Susan looks terrific!  And Madeline just keeps getting prettier!  We loved our time together - lots of laughter and love - good food and fruit of the vine! 

 

A glossy ibis on the boardwalk to the beach

 

Lunch at the beach club, that's Jim and Joan, Susan's Mom and step-Dad

 

Alina and Madeline

 

Susan

Champagne in the pool!

 

 

 

Alina and I cooked a Florida Keys seafood fest for everyone!

 

 

 

That's Grace, a rescued Golden Retriever.

 

The girls!

HAPPY 5TH OF JULY!!!!

Friends from this year's Exuma trip called from the Intracoastal looking to come see us!  Yay!  Mike and Mary off What Daze It?  pulled up about 3 pm, along with HID and M.E., their Jack Russells.  You may remember them from our blog....Hid (Hearing Impaired Dog) was born deaf - and yes, he barks!) and M. E. (for Mary Elizabeth, pronounced Emmy).  So, of course we had drinks and dinner and sunset - and Donald and Alina came, too.  7 people, 6 dogs!  Mike and Mary have lived aboard for 6 years and are heading up the West coast of Florida and into the river system for the summer.  We had 2 fun days with them and are so glad they stopped. 

 

 

 

Hid

M.E.

Vicky

Victor

And, of course, Dakota Kate!

Mike

Donald, telling a story!

Alina showing off to Mary! She learned to send a picture via her new phone!

More Hid

More M.E.

Kristen, Dakota and Romeo on the bow heading to sunset

Sweet Jackson

2 beagles, barking in their life vests!

Beagle overboard!  Thanks goodness for those life vests!!

Mary telling a story!

 

 

Good friends, loving family, great dogs and a beautiful sunset!  Aren't we lucky?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!!

The day started out with lunch at the Palace with Jack's Mom




Then by boat to our park for the community celebration. Last year our city council refused to budget fireworks and everyone was so disappointed when the Fourth rolled around. So, with the spirit typical of a small town the locals got together, formed a team and raised enough money to sponsor the fireworks AND provide free hotdogs and hamburgers for everyone!! Wouldn't President Obama be proud? That's the American spirit and we are proud to call this community our home.









Uncle Donald and Auntie Alina joined us. The beagles stayed home in the AC!




How lucky were we to have Julio prepare us prime rib for our Fourth of July dinner?!


2 of my favorite boys - Loius and Christian. And, oh by the way, that's my contribution - a chocolate kaluha cake!


Raquel and me


Fourth of July sunset

LIVING IN PARADISE....

Kristen - and her animals have decided they like it here!


Romeo's favorite comfort spot


Cathrone has decided he likes it under the table!


Romeo helping Kristen search the want ads
Heading down the canal for sunset

GO NAVY!

Jack, Kristen, Romeo and I were privileged to hear the Navy Band Southeast perform last Sunday. They are based in Jacksonville, FL and perform a variety of music for official military ceremonies as well as parades and public concerts. We took a picnic, sat on lawn chairs and enjoyed a beautiful evening. Go Navy!

Sushi and Shiraz!


Navy Band Southeast


Enjoying the sounds.............