January brings us Floridians the perfect weather for outdoor events. OK so it is still winter and we still dip below freezing and the nasty cold fronts pounding the north create storms that drop inches of rain an hour down here but when it's right it's perfect. The last couple of weekends have been exactly that. Cool mornings perfect for getting out and about early, mild temperatures in the low 70's just cool enough to enjoy a day full of bright sunshine. On days like this, there is nothing that can keep us cooped up inside. Thankfully, everyone in the family enjoys the different events but everyone seems to enjoy them for different reasons.
Last week Caitlyn joined us and we all went to the Native American Festival. This is an annual event held in Ormond Beach and each year we partake in buffalo burgers on fried bread and corn soups while immersing ourselves in the culture of the Native American's. As I said everyone gets a little something different out of it and it's interesting watching it all unfold. I really enjoyed watching Kristen and Caitlyn spending time catching up and just enjoying a day out with the family. Both of them looking for the perfect creative picture to take and hanging out together watching the kids and watching the shows all the while with me enjoying the smiles on their faces. Connor is all about the learning. He moves from booth to booth and is fully engaged asking questions and wanting to try everything. Mining for gemstones and learning what he has found, throwing a hatchet, targeting with a blow gun, watching someone make fire with two pieces of wood and how a blacksmith molds items out of heated metal. He is focused, asking questions and you can see him figuring out how he can replicate it himself. Sydney on the other hand is becoming more social. The event is more about the friends that she is meeting there and having time to spend with them running around being a teenager. Laughing, giggling but also participating by joining in to the circle of dancers. Most enjoyable to me is that she takes a break from her friends to make sure she comes spend some time with the family. I keep thinking about watching the alligator wrestlers with a huge crowd around the enclosure and Sydney asks to get on my shoulders. Fifteen, almost full grown but reminding me of the promise that she will never be to big to go on my shoulders. Maybe someday we can walk down the aisle on the way to the alter with her on my shoulders. It wouldn't surprise me a bit.
Moving on to this past weekend we went down to the New Smyrna Art Festival and met up with Russ, Terri, Jeff, Ariana and Aidan. What an absolutely beautiful day and you couldn't ask for better company than family to spend it with. The cousins paired up and were like peas in a pod. For them the art is OK with Connor appreciating it more than others but they mainly they're there for a good time. We all took in the art wandering from vendor to vendor with the occasional stop for ice cream, roasted nuts and a hot dog or two. Afterwards it was on to Elaine's for dinner. Kristen's mother always works hard to put out a meal that pleases everyone attending and we had a great meal. It was a great afternoon with family, food and fun. These are the days that make memories and if it is up to me we will spend every weekend finding some way to build those memories together.
Until next time.......
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