HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Happy New Year's, everyone, from the Underwoods down under!

Warm Mineral Springs

Dave made a new discovery for us--he was sure we'd been holding out on him but, indeed, we'd never heard of Florida's Warm Mineral Springs south of Venice about 20 miles...who knew! Not really knowing what we were up for, we ventured out for the day and discovered a very relaxing way to spend the day. We eased around the 80-degree water "sinkhole," occasionally emerging for a trip to the restroom or European-style restaurant. Then, back we'd go again for another dip with a "noodle." The mineral waters had a strange, healing effect as well as a bouyancy...we'll come back again for another day at the spa.

Hunter's Restaurant Review

TOP THREE

1. POP'S SUNSET GRILL
Has the BEST Fried Mac 'N Cheese ever.

2. COASTERS ON THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY
Has the NEXT BEST Mac and Cheese with BIG noodles and a crispy bacon-bit topping.

3. SHARKY'S ON THE PIER
Rated third on the list...not the best Mac and Cheese in town but it has a PIER. I love going out to the pier! Birds fly right through and we like to see people fish.

Please comment on my review,
Hunter

On the Water Front

It's been a cooler-than-normal season...Allen heard it was colder in Jacksonville, FL than it was in Madison, WI for the University of Wisconsin vs. Miami game...he doesn't know if it was true or not.

For yesterday's boating day, it was a brisk 60-something on the water but the sun was shining and we had a wonderful day in the open air. Today we're heading south to Gasparilla Island for a day on the sand. It'll be 70-72 degrees so we'll be able to take off our Viking stocking caps.

Frosty, the Snowman

Hunter and Blake made a Frosty that will stay. Some magnets and a little construction paper, hot glue and scissors get it done!

Today, we're heading out to the Food Pantry and a little more work on our restaurant reviews...stay tuned.

Back in the Banyans

For some reason, the guys are nuts about banyans and we always need our pictures taken in them. On Saturday (Family Day at the Ringling Museum), we visited the circus museums, the mansion, the gardens, and the galleries. High point of the day was the art gallery that contained craft projects for the boys--they made Venetian stuff: gondolas, masks, gothic chairs, and gold boxes. Last stop was the gift shop where they consumed a circus cannon that shoots someone out and a crafts book filled with Ancient Egyptian things.

Lesson for the Day: If you stay too long in the banyans, they'll grow right around you.

Merry Christmas from Florida

The Underwoods have driven to Florida in their new Highlander, stopping on the way at the Lousiville Slugger Plant. There they picked up personalized bats styled in the fashion of their favorite players. We've been activity bound for the last few days, lots of beaching, sand in the crotches, and time spent outdoors in pleasant weather. It rained on Christmas morning, thanks to that big storm up north (we always get the tail ends of those systems) but things have dried up a bit and we'll be back outdoors tomorrow. Hope your Christmas Day was a success and you're all warm and fuzzy with good feelings.

We took a video with lots of action but the Jerdee computer wouldn't take it on...so we've produced a still of us saying "Merry Christmas" in our Santa hats and gloves designed perfectly for texting. Consider yourselves texted.


Mr. Jump-Around Activity Man (Blake) and
Hunter, the Calm One
These guys are still playing along with Santa...they've just ransacked their stockings...lots of games to play in the next few days.