Tis the season to be jolly...

Merry Christmas; we hope Santa delivered! Christmas Eve day the Fischers hosted a lunch and gift exchange. Everyone attended: Ellsmores from Clayton, Chico, Fortuna, Youngs, and a Seigel. It was a great time together; the stomp rockets, frisbees, and wiffle ball/bat all came out at the same time. Only Izze was injured.

That night Mickey and Izze set out a chocolate biscuit and carrots for Santa and his reindeer. Next morning was breakfast and present opening. The girls were great and only opened their own presents. Santa brought them Dora dolls they promptly started dressing and undressing.

After breakfast, Scott cleaned our house with the new double baby Swiffer attachment that Santa left for him.

It was dry Christmas day so we adjourned to the slack line for some family fun. The girls couldn't get enough of it! (Scott could.) Mom came up for the afternoon and dinner.

The girls received a play kitchen and all of the trimmings. Mickey and Izze made pretend coffee and cookies. They even put socks in their play blend for some sort of concoction!

Izze playing tiger and chasing everyone.

Sunday we took a family trip to the Oroville fish hatchery. We saw no fish, but still managed to have fun.

The Oroville River walk.

Katya returned from Christmas in Las Vegas late Monday night and opened her presents with us on Tuesday. Luckily all of the present make it a good holiday to celebrate at many homes:)

Trimming the tree

A Miami Thanksgiving

This year the Nayduchs gathered in South Beach Miami to celebrate Thanksgiving and partake in some strenuous relaxation. We regularly migrated from the pool to the beach back to the pool, ending the day at an outdoor dining establishment.

Ivan practicing his jack knife.

Owen in the pool.

Seamus and Ivan graciously posing for an underwater picture.

There were regular kid activities at the pool side: water balloon tosses and limbo contests.

Ross wasn't going to let the kids have all of the fun.

Seamus's jack knife.

The beach was incredible, especially for those accustomed to the frigid Pacific. The ocean was usually in the mid-70s, extremely comfortable to frolic in.

The kids enjoyed making sand castles, beach combing, swimming, and playing frisbee/football.

Bridget, Owen, Katya

Owen, Brody, Katya

Sue, Seamus, Katya, and Ivan

One day we ventured away from the surf and poolside to the Everglades.

As you can see we went on an airboat ride and took in a wildlife show (alligator wrestling included!).

A view from our airboat as we are leaving the launch. We saw adult and baby alligators, turtles, herons, and were able to climb out of the boat to stand in the Everglades (John almost lost his shoes:).

At the end of the wildlife show, the kids held a 4 month old alligator!

Some of the sites near our hotel. The snails are made from plastic trash collect on some of Florida's east coast beaches.

A rousing game of ultimate frisbee.

We had Thanksgiving dinner on the veranda of the restaurant at the Palm Hotel. It was a beautiful setting, the boys were kindly allowed in the bar to watch the football game.

It was lovely to spend time together in such a carefree setting. Uncle Ross will soon be announcing ultimate ski and ultimate frisbee camps, so stay tuned. This blog is sponsored by Gold Star followers, the New York Nayduch clan and the Colorado Nayduch-Armstrong clan. Thanks!!