Lindsay's Visit to Tampa, FL

Lindsay had the opportunity to go to a special events conference in Tampa at the end of January. It was an interesting conference and I learned a lot. Of course the best things that happened there had nothing to do with work.

We had one morning off and so my co worker Benita and I rented a car. Obviously, the only car they had available was a minivan. And after driving it around, I'm sold. I'm totally ready to be a mini van mom. Maybe it was the back up camera, maybe it was the ability to open and close the side doors with a click of the remote, or just maybe it was the fact that from the driver's seat I had the option to have no less than SEVEN beverages in holders in my reach. In any case, much to Adam's delight, I want one.

And, it was a good thing that I had the ability to place so many beverages as what did we come upon? The Gibsonton Drive Through Beverage Mart. Apparently this is a thing in the south. We drove that mini van right through and the man brought us all the beverages we wanted (which were all stowed safely in various cup holders) with out even having to get out of the car. Genius.


Why were we driving through Tampa in a mini van you might ask. To see the manatees! We found a place where wild manatees swim. It's near the Tampa power plant which makes the water around it warm. So the manatees just hang out there.

It was wonderful! The manatees just lounge around and let the fish nibble on the things growing on their backs in the warm water. There were even a few babies just swimming happily with their mommies.


And to wrap up our time in Tampa, we went out one evening to an area recommended to us, where it was just us wandering the street with 10 restaurant choices, if by restaurants you mean bars. We think that maybe everyone was just gearing up for Saturday as it was "Gaspirilla". We asked several people what this meant and the best explanation we got was "It's a day about some pirate where there is a big parade and everyone is drunk by 9am." Okay, nice holiday Tampa. All the businesses close for the day and this was the best sign we saw about it.

Washington DC and Balitmore Trip

For Christmas, we decided to get each other a trip this year. We went to Washington DC for a few days and to Baltimore, MD to visit Kristi and Philip for a few days. We had a really nice time, although you may not be able to tell who we are under all the clothes we are wearing in the photos. It was COLD there. We don't know how people really live there and we sure were happy to come back to the sunshine at home.

We explored the whole national mall in DC, walking 10 miles and seeing all the monuments. Lindsay's favorite was the FDR Memorial and Adam's was Jefferson. We went to Mount Vernon and learned all there is to know about George Washington. Quiz us, we really know it all. We also got to see Adam's friend from college Melissa. But we forgot to take a photo...but trust us, we saw her and she looked great.

Mount Vernon

In Baltimore we saw Fort McHenry (where the National Anthem was written), Federal Hill, the downtown area and more. But, most importantly we saw Kristi and Philip. It was so great to spend time with them and they were excellent hosts! I'm still thinking about the delicious banana pancakes Philip made.

Fort McHenry

On the top of Federal Hill overlooking downtown Baltimore

Laura's Baby Shower

Our good friend Laura is expecting a baby girl in February. Lindsay helped to throw her a baby shower in early January. We're so excited to meet baby Jocelyn Ellis!

Lake Arrowhead New Years Vacation

To celebrate the end of 2011, we took a trip with Mike, Rachel and Cammie Varga and Paul, Laura (and growing baby Jocelyn) to Lake Arrowhead. We relaxed in our cabin, played games, watched movies and Adam and I were so happy to bring in the new year in sweat pants (and a party hat of course).

Each couple was in charge of dinner one night and Adam and I made our new favorite recipe, Cilantro Lime Chicken with avocado salsa. It looked so pretty in the pan before we cooked it we took a photo! This is our number one meal for company...so if we invite you over for dinner...it's probably what we're going to serve you. Don't worry, it's delicious.

The best thing we did on this vacation was go snow tubing. Even though there wasn't very much snow, there were some big hills with some older and man made snow, We were the only group of adults there without kids. Which made it better because we were always the fastest! Thanks to Paul, we have some great pictures of how much fun it was!

Adam got a New Job!

Adam said goodbye to Cosmos at the end of December where he had worked for almost five years planning a summer camp for high school students.

He is now working for the Scripps Oceanography Institute at USCD. He will be advising graduate students and staring at the ocean. His new office is just up the street from La Jolla Shores and overlooks the beach. Get in line for a lunch date....

Here is a picture he took on his first lunch break: