Key West::Part II

On day three we decided to go see Fort Jefferson at the Dry Tortugas. The day started early, we had to meet the ferry at 7am. Nate and I were running late and I don't think I have ever biked so fast in my life! We made it just in time and are so glad we did because it was an incredible day. I highly recommend taking the day trip out to the Dry Tortugas but you are committing your entire day.  It is a 2.5hr boat ride each way, but they serve you breakfast and lunch on the boat, then you arrive back in Key West around 5:30pm.

Aerial view of Ft Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas from their website.

You can get to the Dry Tortugas by sea plane or by the Ferry. We opted for the Ferry since the plane ride is triple the price and Stray likes to be the one flying the plane!

Here is the Yankee Freedom that took us out. The Dry Tortugas are a cluster of islands about 70 miles west of Key West.

Right after docking we took a tour of Fort Jefferson. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable about Fort Jefferson's very interesting history.  It is the 2nd largest masonry structure in this hemisphere and at one point it was used as a prison during the Civil War.

They heat up the the cannon balls in here so that the ships catch fire.

A live prisoner!

One of these cells was Dr. Mudds' cell who mended John Wilkes Booth's leg after shooting Lincoln.

Inside of the fort

Listening to our tour guide.

The fort gave a gorgeous view and it was beautiful day!

After the tour we went back to the boat for lunch and got our snorkel gear on. This was my first time snorkeling in the ocean!

We snorkeled all along this bridge and over by the old dock in the right corner of this picture.

Nate with his fins...

Jenn with her pink fins...

We saw some huge and colorful fish, coral, and huge schools of fish, and I got a sunburn on my back!

Back on the Yankee Freedom ready for the ride home with a margarita.

My hat was about to blow off on the deck!

After we docked we went to Kelly's. It was fabulous!

The next 2 days I was really bad about getting my camera out, I didn't even take pics on our anniversary dinner night out (boo)! Anyways here are some random ones.....

     Southernmost Point

In Key West roosters walk around everywhere. Along with some other weird animals, and people for that matter!

This was an incredibly talented blues band that we listened to at Hogs Breath Saloon. We also had a lot of fun dancing and listening to music at Sloppy Joe's which we did almost every night.

One last picture with Miranda, this was right after I got her a special bell as a going away present:)

Key West Beauty

Beach!

Pete and Jess took us to a local joint for dessert. The desserts were crazy good and I enjoyed drinking my vino out of a chocolate dipped glass, genius!!

We left early on Wednesday morning so we could enjoy the drive over the keys and to sight-see Miami a bit.  Then back home to our girls!

It was such a great vacation, Nate and I cherished every moment together. I really needed this to refresh my mommy soul! Can't wait for our next adventure (more on that soon;).

Key West:: Part I

Nate and I just got back from an amazing five days in Key West, FL. We had so much fun, it will be a trip I will always remember! Nate has been to Key West several times training with the Navy, so he knew all the good spots. Originally the plan was for me to meet him down in Key West while he was training this year but the timing never worked out. So instead we made a last minute decision to jump on a plane together and go on our own to celebrate our 9 year anniversary!  Thankfully Nana was able to come watch the girls, thanks Nana!

  Nate showed me what a good time on Duval Street is and it starts and ends at Sloppy Joes:)

The next morning we hopped on our bikes and headed to brunch.

Stray's bike that I nicknamed "Delores," she is AWESOME!!!

One of Nate's friends let me borrow his bike "Miranda" I am kind of obsessed with her. I love how you bike wherever you want to go in Key West, I had so much fun biking around the city. Miranda always got me home safe and sound!

We ate brunch at Blue Heaven, it was so yummy and is full of Key West charm and flare. I love live music and there is live music everywhere in Key West!

My Bloody Mary was really good, I am normally not a fan of them!

 After brunch we rode our bikes all over Key West so I could get a feel of the city. Then we ended up at a beach where we cooled off and laid out for a bit.

That night we got to hang out with our friends Pete and Jess who are currently stationed there. We had so much fun catching up with them. This picture was taken on their back porch, they have a sweet pad on base.

 The next morning we took a ferry boat ride to Sunset Key where we had brunch at Latitutes. It was delicious and the view was gorgeous, we sat sipping our coffee just enjoying the scenery and each other for a long time. 

Latitutes is right behind us with the blue umbrellas, the man that took this pictures graduated from the Naval Academy in 1967!

Once we arrived back from the ferry we hit up Mallory Square where there are lots of shops and touristy things to look at.

Then we made a stop at Dante's for some more fun in the sun!

After that we biked over to the docks for happy hour at Alonzo's. This is my Key Lime Martini, so good!

When we were done eating we walked down to Tiki Bar where we watched the sunset and listened to Clint Bullard play some country tunes, he's  a Texas boy who moved to Key West!

It was a beautiful sunset!

 So blessed to spend the rest of my life with this guy.

 Once I go through the rest of the pictures I'll post Key West Part II!

First Recital

Aubrey had her recital last night and it was a great show! Her dance studio did a four hour production of Cinderella at the Harris Opera House in Norfolk. The little ones only performed in the first Act in between the big kids routines. Aubrey (and all the other duckies) did so well, they were adorable! We were so proud of her for dancing in front of a huge audience and lots of lights like a big girl. Reagan even pointed out Aubrey on stage and started yelling "Aubrey, Aubrey, my sissy, yay!" it was so cute.

All dressed and ready for the performance. (she is doing her duck wings below, this girl outdid herself in the quacking portion of the routine:)

Walking up to the drop off area with the cookies Nana made for the post show reception!

 Aubrey and Brynn waiting to go inside!

 Side view of the huge bun, girlfriend has a ton of hair!

Daddy got his Duckie flowers!

By the time we could go pick her up at intermission it was late and I could tell she was exhausted from the excitement and performance!

Aubrey's ballet routine was "Tiny Little Seeds" and her tap routine was "Little Ducks". At dress rehearsal we were allowed to record our kids. Long story short all I had was my phone which doesn't take great video. However, I have a confession, when the music started and she became a "Tiny Little Seed" I completely lost it and started crying and couldn't even get control to video tape the performance. I did manage to record the tap routine that came up after it so here it is (sorry for the quality, this is for you Mimi!).....

video-2013-06-13-16-20-30 from jennifer michael on Vimeo.

Aubrey is second from the right but it looks like she is in the middle of this video.