Bash Bish Falls

What do you do in New England when the temperature in December is in the upper 40's? Go for a hike of course! And that's just what Debbie, Abby & I decided to do.

We had planned on hiking down from the top of Bash Bish Falls, but the trail was still way too icy, so we made our way up the 3 mile (roundtrip) trail from the bottom. Our hike brought us from New York to Massachusetts and then back again, through icy and muddy patches of trail, and to the waterfall itself. The falls were huge and the stairs down were covered with ice. Abby and I had on snow boots (no traction) so we almost didn't go down, but "Debbie The Brave" went ahead of us on the stairs and kicked the ice off each one so we wouldn't fall.

Abby made a snow puppy on the way back

Christmas with the kids

I was so excited about spending Christmas with Seth, Becky, Faith & Tommy this year. Since we started traveling our Christmases have just not been the same, but this one was absolutely perfect. We made cookies for Santa and decorated them, cut out gingerbread paper dolls and colored them to look like people in our family, visited Santa, went to Yankee Candle and made Christmas candles, and just had a great time all around. And to add to it, Dad & Kay came down to join us for a few days over Christmas. I really enjoyed seeing them and was able to finally find the perfect gift for my dad. It was one of those "picture perfect" holidays where you wouldn't change a thing!

The Christmas Tree Carol - BY ABBY

Hi, I'm Abby. We helped Kati & Vern this week at a Christmas Tree stand. It was so fun. Me and my Daddy drilled the Christmas trees holes so they could get onto the stands. And, I got to help deliver the Christmas trees to people's cars. Also, I sharpied my dog Christmas colors. My friends helped me to sharpie my dog. My mommy and I, Miss Kati, Zoe, me (and maybe even Auvi) had a Christmas tree fashion show. We dressed up in Christmas trees and put ribbons on our hineys! We didn't have any power while we were there and we had to use the gererator. We couldn't watch any TV (all because of the stupid generator). But the only thing that was the worst was that we had to buy 5 gallons of water to use for dishes cause we were out of water.

Me and Zoe made a little Christmas tree and it's in our camper right this second. Also, I wanted to make a Christmas windchime, but I couldn't because we didn't have enough time because Kati & Vern's friends (Steve & Bryce) were coming over. I had a lot of fun with Steve and Bryce's kids. They usually stay out until 1 in the morning, but now they just stayed until 1 minute till 8pm cause they had borrowed their cousin's car and had to get it back. Our parents wrapped us up in the tree netter. We had millions and killions and jillions of fun!

Me and my mommy and one of my little friends, Winston, made popcorn. He has red hair like my brother! He was 4 years old. Me and Winston had a lot fun- in fact, I think he was the only friend I played with all day long!

Chicky-Chick-Chock,

Abby

Pirates in Paradise

The Pirates in Paradise Festival was in Key West today. It wasn't as good as I thought it was going to be, and Abby got scared with the re-enactment so we had to leave early. But we did get some AWESOME hippy pictures of us on the beach! Be on the lookout for these on our Christmas cards!

Christmas Parade in Key West

Christmas Parade

We got to be on a Christmas float in the Key West Parade. I had joined the Key West homeschoolers group and when I found out they were going to be in the parade we asked if we could join them on their float.

Truthfully I thought Abby would have fun with this (and she did - throwing candy and wavng like a little princess) but EDDY was actually the one grinning from ear to ear the entire parade route!! Turns out he had never been in a parade!

Kayaking and Key Deer

If someone ever tells me we're going on a 6 mile kayak trip again remind me to check the weather first! Pat, Debbie, Eddy, Abby and I all went up to the Key Deer Island for a kayak trip out to see the stingrays and hopefully to see some of the endangered Key Deer. The trip out was against the current but not too difficult, but coming back the wind picked up to about 25mph and blew right at us! The waves were coming in over the sides of my boat, Pat and Debbie had to put Abby into their 2 person kayak, and it took everything I had just to get back. Everytime you would stop paddling to rest the wind blew you back and you lost all the ground you just covered. My back hurt so bad by the time I finally got back. But, on the flip side, we did catch fish, saw some stingrays, got to investigate a mangrove swamp up close and personal, and got great exercise. It was an experience, and I would definately do it again, although I think I'd take a couple of pain pills before I started! Oh, and we did get to see the Key Deer!

Fishing

Fishing and Shelling