Miami #6

We were able to go and see a few more things from my list of "must dos" for our family. We went to Lion Country Safari, drove by the Ft. Lauderdale LDS temple, and made it to the Everglades! All were lovely and we enjoyed each one very much.

First the Lion Country Safari. It was SOOOO cool!!! We asked around to see if it was really worth the hour and a half drive to get there, and it was! So you know how when you go to the zoo and all the animals are in cages....well here we are the ones in a cage (the car)! When you pull up, you pay and you are then handed a cd tour. You then proceed to the gates. It kind of reminded us of the scene in Jurassic Park where they drive up to the the big wooden gates. As we drove through the safari listening to all the facts and information on the cd we got to see really cool animals up close. So close I thought they would either ram our car or we would run them over! We all loved that experience and it is for sure something we will never forget. Maybe one day we can go on a real safari in Africa!

On our way back from the Safari, we stopped by the Ft. Lauderdale LDS temple, that is still under construction. It was already a beautiful landmark for the city. It was announced in church here one Sunday that is should be open by the April General conference! The Saints in South Florida are beyond excited! Right now they travel over 3 hours by bus to the Orlando Temple. I hope one day we get the chance to come back and see it finished!

Finally we made it to the Everglades! Since we have been on our adventure of traveling, the kids have become fans of a show on Animal Planet (we didn't have cable in Colorado) called Gator Boys. We learned that they were working out of park just 30 min away from where we are staying! We went to Everglades Holiday  Park, and took an Air Boat ride! It was so fun. We had a grate captain named Don. We got to see alligators and birds and learned a lot about the plants and animals in the everglades. Great homeschool lesson! After the air boat ride we got to see the GATOR BOYS alligator wrestling show!!! The kids immediately recognized the guy that was doing the show, from the Gator Boys tv show! They were a little star stuck, lol! I can honestly say that, I am happy that the kids think these guys are cool and people they want to be like, rather than the traditional "celebrities"(like pop stars and actors). The guy doing the wrestling show shared with us that he has a bachelors degree in marine biology, and he VOLUNTEERS at the alligator rescue because he loves the animals! Way to go, to all The Gator Boys!!

Miami #5

Summer in Miami has been a blast. There have only been a few days where we felt like the humidity was going to be the death of us. Nothing a dip in the pool or a swim at the beach couldn't fix. We found out about the summer fun pass (unlimited visits to four places all summer) when we only had one month left here in Miami. Lucky for us we are a homeschool family so we have 6 days a week to go and explore. We have gone to Miami Seaquraium, twice. We have gone to Zoo Miami, twice. We have gone to the Museum of Discovery and Science once, with plans to return. We still have plans to make it to the last on the list which is the Lion Country Safari.

We loved the Seaquraium. The killer whale and dolphin show was so fun! We were soaked. The kids had a blast seeing all the fish from all over the world. The boys really loved watching the seal show. But the part they all loved the most was the splash park that was in the middle of the Seaquarium. It was a ship wreck theme. I found it kind of wrong that at the snack bar they sold "fish and chips", come on now!

Zoo Miami is now my favorite zoo. don't get me wrong we love Cheyenne Mountain zoo back in Colorado, but it has to be said that seeing all the animals with out a glass in between you is AMAZING! The first time we went we saw a huge line of people waiting to rent a bike car thing. The kids begged for one and I said no because it was just a zoo and we could walk. Boy was I wrong, half way through the zoo I was wanting that bike thing too! We also found out that the zoo has a splash park too. On our second visit we cam much more prepared. We brought towels and swim suits, and left the stroller in the car so we could rent a pedal car!

The Museum was way cool! The kids have been watching discovery channel lately and there was a show about a prehistoric shark called Megalodon which has been topic on conversation for at least a week now, and when we found that they had a whole exhibit dedicated to it they were thrilled! We got to see sea turtles and see how they put there eggs in the sand. My favorite part was where they used skate boarding to teach the law of motion, balance, velocity, friction and safety!

We have been having a blast. I am so thankful that we get to have these experiences as a family!!

Until next time. I love you C,M,B,C,E and L!
P.S. These are just a few pictures from my phone. I will add more from the camera when I can!

The car bike thing I was talking about.

Good thing Colt was with us, he was the man power!

Skate board law of motion.

Skateboard balance/ center of gravity!

You cant see it in the picture but on the
floor it shows you all the laws of physics
that go into play to do a 'backside 360 ollie'! 

Pirate Splash pad!

Eva, Dad and Lindy

Bobby!

Orka!!!

Miami #4

We have such wonderful full time missionaries in our ward. When we got here Colt was called as the Ward Mission Leader. His duties are as follows: 

"Ward Mission Leader

Under the direction of the bishop, the ward mission leader:

• Sets an example in sharing the gospel with others and fellowshipping investigators,

new converts, and less-active members.

• Coordinates the work of the ward missionaries and full-time missionaries with

priesthood leaders, auxiliary leaders, and members.

• Uses the Progress Record, the Convert Action List, and the Bishopric Action and Interview

List to review the progress of investigators, new converts, and less-active members in

priesthood executive committee and ward council meetings. The Convert Action List and

the Bishopric Action and Interview List are reports created using the ward meetinghouse

computer. They are used to track the progress of new converts and other members.

• Conducts weekly missionary coordination meetings.

• Organizes convert baptismal services in the ward in cooperation with the full-time

missionaries. A member of the bishopric or the ward mission leader usually conducts

these services.

The ward mission leader also serves on the ward priesthood executive committee, ward

council, and ward welfare committee and attends stake priesthood leadership meetings."- Preach My Gospel (to read and learn more)

Because of his calling we get to spend a lot of time with the missionaries. They are so fun. They are so full of the spirit. It is so nice to always be around them. They all work so hard, sharing the gospel with the people of Miami. 

We have had the privilege to attend a baptism almost every week that we have been here. Each one we go to the spirit is so strong. I am always to excited to see these people making such amazing choices to come unto Christ. The smiles on their faces as the come up out of the waters of baptism brings such joy to my heart. 

This week there was a whole family that was baptized. The mother, father, and 2 daughters. I was blessed to talk to them about baptism. It was so fun to see the little sister (only 5) looking in wonder as her family one by one was baptized. She was beaming with the Holy Ghost as it touched her heart, to witness such a wonderful site. 

We love the people of Miami. We love this ward. We love that not matter where our family goes we will always be part of a bigger family, in the church.

Until next time. Love you C,M,B,C,E and Lindy

Painting Elder and Sister Rock to pass around the ward.

Lunch after church/ missionary meeting.

Kids with Sis. Holyan and Sis. McKay 

Elders playing around at the ward party.

Sisters turn