West Palm Beach, Florida 01-17-10

Before leaving West Palm Beach, I took Lynda over to the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach for a tour.

When built by Henry Morrison Flagler in 1901, it was the largest and most lavish residence in the state of Florida.

The grounds and landscape are much the same as they were when it was first built.

This is the entry way upon coming in the front door.  Most of the art was imported from Europe, as was the marble.

This is the ceiling in the foyer.

A painting of Henry Morrison Flager, who ended up building St. Augustine, Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Miami and the railroad that spans Jacksonville to Key West.

The house is built in a square with a garden in the center.

Lynda is relaxing before our tour began.

The music room had the largest pipe organ in a house anywhere, at the time.  He also employed a full-time organist to play everyday.

The couryard at the rear of the mansion.

Pretty fancy dining room!

Even back then, the wealthy had a 'man room'.

While the men were shooting pool, the ladies had their own parlor to retire to.

This is the master bedroom.

The museum also has Henry Flagler's personal rail car on display.

Downtown West Palm Beach as seen from the back of the mansion.

Can you tell there is money here?

Pembroke Pines, Florida 01-16-10

It's another speed skate meet for Little Mike.  This meet is outdoors and on concrete.

Big Mike gets Little Mike ready to race.

A few warm up laps for starters.

These events are always a family affair.  Mike is holding the newest member of the family, Ryan.

Emily and Ryan share a blanket and a few moments together.

Little Mike is getting some pre-race counsel from his coach, Lee.

Looks like Dillan got into some dirt...as usual.

Mike, Ryan and Lynda anticipate the start of a race.

Lynda gets some quality time with her granddaughter, Emily.

The race is about to start.

Little Mike is about to overtake a competitor.

That Ryan is a hand-full.

Papa seems to be enjoying himself.

Sometimes it can get boring between races, so Hannah does the appropriate activity while taking care of Ryan, she reads a book.

The last race for Little Mike for the day and he is doing really well.

The problem was, he was going so fast, he couldn't keep his balance.

Lee helping Little Mike after a nasty fall.

A little post-race pep talk from father and coach.  Little Mike rebounded the next day to do much better.

West Palm Beach, Florida 01-15-10

We had a family reunion while in West Palm for Little Mike's skate meet.  This is my cousin Patty, my mom and my aunt Mary Ann.

Lynda is hamming it up while talking to my brother, Larry.

Four generations on my brother's side.  Larry, his daughter, Heather, his granddaughter Kayla, and our mother.

Four generations on my side.  Me, my mom, Emily and Mike.

My mother and her sister, Mary Ann.

Can't visit the old home town without going by the beach.

Talk about memories, I used to surf right out there.

Tallahassee, Florida 12-17-09

It's Savannah Lee's first birthday and time for cake!

"I just don't know if I'm ready for this!"

The easiest way might be to start with just a taste on the finger.

Hmmmm, that's not too bad.

"More, please."

Aww, the heck with it, just give me a mouthful.

Ohh, that's much better.

What a great birthday....you can have your cake and eat it too :)

Tallahassee, Florida 12-14-09

The family went to a local gym to see Melina perform in the annual gymnastics show.  Here she is doing a balance beam routine.

This was part of her floor routine.  She is quite acrobatic.

Here, she is getting ready to flip on the uneven bars.

Looks like a great dismount, to me.

At the conclusion, Melina receives her medal.

Now, we are entertained with a private performance.

And here is our budding gymnast with her flowers and medal.