We had many breakfasts, lunches and dinners with our family and friends. We got a few pictures and, as usual, we missed a few special friends and family since we forgot the CAMERA. When will we learn?
While in the area we stayed at a Broward County Park right in the middle of where everyone lived. It was very convenient for us. Easterlin Park is a small park geared toward picnics, Frisbee golf, and is an oasis in the middle of a very busy city. It is a Designated Urban Wilderness Area. The campground was one of the best we have been to. Except for the loud traffic noise and the train track about 300 feet away, which we got use to after a week there, this was a wonderful place. It felt like we were in an old Florida jungle. http://www.broward.org/Parks/EasterlinPark/Pages/Default.aspx Large space, $40.00 a night for out of county residents, and very close to I-95, hence the traffic noise.
Alex got to play tennis with his brother Bruce a few times and Bruce invited us to a great Mexican dinner with his friend, Jenny, and his beautiful daughter and our niece, Laura. It was great to meet Jenny and to see Laura, who is glowing and thriving in Florida.
We also got to see Chris' sister, Poco and her husband Rob a few more times. When our niece, Bridget, came home from American University, where she is going for her Masters, we got to see her. She is a special, smart, sweet and lovely young women. We were glad they came for dinner at our place.
We want to thank Rusty and Sandy for the lovely dinner at their house that had just been decorated for Christmas. Rusty went to high school with Alex, and Sandy went to high school with Chris. It was great catching up with them and hearing about their 5 beautiful grandchildren. It's funny to think back to all those years in high school together and now they have 5 grandchildren. Where does the time go!
Just last weekend we had dinner with Paty and John at their "ranch". They have 20 acres and they have built on and added to the ranch over the years. The place is spectacular. Yes, that's right, spectacular. It's a beautiful home and we were so happy to see it at Christmas. Paty must have had a 12 to 14 foot Christmas tree up and she had decorated it herself. Her "White Christmas" tree was beautiful. Chris and Paty went to high school together and later were roommates. Paty talked us into spending the night so the two of them stayed up late talking about the old times. It was a special evening. Thanks you guys!
We got to see two of Chris' best friends from the old days, Sandy and Denise. Denise had some family situations to take care of so we only got to see her for one day, but it was like old times and we caught up pretty quickly over breakfast at our place. Sandy came for dinner and Chris spent some time with her out and about the town. Sandy is getting ready to make some changes in her life and we are excited for her. She is a wonderful friend to both Chris and Alex.
We had a wonderful time in South Florida and it meant so much to us the effort everyone made to visit with us and go out of their way to be with us during this busy time of year. Yes, you can go home again and it felt like home. Thanks everyone. We will be back soon.
Pictures of just a few of our family and friends. Click the link, select slide show, hit F-11 and let it load up.
http://picasaweb.google.com/ChrisTorrance/FloridaFriends?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGxjprahdfP0wE#
More Pics of Paty's Ranch
http://picasaweb.google.com/ChrisTorrance/PatySRanch?authkey=Gv1sRgCLT1lp_M_rGlzwE#
And I'm sure a lot of your friends and family thing you're crazy - not me. What a year it's been for you and now clear down in Florida. We'll meet up in 2011.
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