Happy New Year

Well, before becoming completely seduced by city life, we are off on the boat for the Keys tomorrow.  I thought I would show you some Christmas pics from Austin where we were treated royally by Chris and Lynne, --and let me tell you that a good time was had by all.  Christmas is about children and Ella and Cyrus fulfilled our expectations.  They delighted in their gifts and still believed Santa brought some of them.  The highlight for Larry was that he was allowed to build a clubhouse for Ella in the back yard.  When told his plans would cost them around $400, Lynne suggested Larry use the scrap wood left over from other projects.  Undaunted, Larry constructed quite an ediface (trust me) and Ella was very pleased.  It was also wonderful to see Craig and Jan who drove down from Illinois with Sophie and their dog, Zoe.

Back in Miami, we celebrated the New Year at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club and noted that Florida sailors can dance just as weirdly as Oriental sailors when they have had a few drinks.  The night was beautiful with a full moon.  Larry and Phil wore blinking bow ties (see picture below) and Nancy and I were more subdued in our pink and blue boas.

The weather is due to turn cooler tomorrow (high in the 60s), so don't know if snorkeling will sound appealing, but other sights in the Keys should keep us entertained. Our hosts in Miami, Phil and Nancy, will be accompanying us for at least part of the journey. Tango, who was spoiled by them over Christmas (he got lots of chicken to eat and wrapping paper to tear apart), will also be getting his sea legs back

                                   The Clubhouse

who is playing with the hot wheel track?





The New Year boys