Reasons for Summer

1. Visits from friends
2. Picnics
3. Fireworks
4. Night swimming

5. Vacation time
6. Baseball games
7. Hiking
8. Beach combing
9. Weddings
10. Relaxed routine!

Check. Did those. And to think, summer isn't quite over yet! :o)

Rachel H., Delaney's best friend from Kentucky, came to visit during the early part of July. Delaney and I (Chelsea) enjoyed boating with her and Mr. H. by Caladesi Island, and then visiting Busch Gardens to ride Sheikra - the park's wild roller coaster that boasts a ninety degree drop. I...uh...chickened out on that one and volunteered to hold the back-pack and water bottles. Here's a few pictures that attempt to capture some of our favorite moments.

Delaney and Rachel grazing for sand dollars and other pretty shells...

Rachel is holding up a massive whelk that her father found:

This picture of Rachel is one of my favorites (doesn't she look sweet?!). The flower in her hair is native to Hawaii, and it smells absolutely heavenly!

There's an extensive safari park at Busch Gardens and we had the pleasure of a leisurely train ride through it (very nice alternative to a stomach-churning roller coaster ride!). It was hard to get a clear picture as the train was moving along, but here is one of a giraffe.

Close-up, wasn't it? :o) The following series of shots are of the female ostrich and her eggs. She appears to be a little alarmed...

For independence Day, we joined friends at The Winning Inning and feasted on Chef Denny's BBQ'd ribs, burgers, and dogs. Before night fall we played a kids-verses- adults game of kickball, then we unwrapped the sparklers! While we danced around with the sparklers in hand a friend continued deploying his set of fireworks. What an original show he put on too! :o) I love this particular holiday - mainly because there isn't any gift-giving and very little expectancy, just a jolly good time reveling in our country's freedom with your neighbors and friends. Actually, after thinking about it, that's what makes this particular celebration so unique - a feeling of unity permeates the air as neighbors share food and fun.

Here's a few pictures from our fourth of July:




Next post will probably be about some friends visiting and our trip to New Mexico...so stay tuned! :o)