The Tingey's (Miami Edition): April 2009

we have just come to the end of the best two weeks we've had here in Miami! The Tingey's came to visit for the guys' spring break the last week in march/ first week in april. We had a blast seeing their reactions to our new city. In celebration of Trav's birthday Geoff took him to a day at the Sony Ericsson (tennis) Open. They came back sunburnt but very impressed with all of the pro tennis players they saw play like: Andy Murray, Fernando Verdasco, and Serena Williams.
While those boys were there the rest of the family and Garrett and myself visited the Cape Florida Lighthouse at Bill Baggs state park there on Key Biscayne. We met them on the beach afterwards. Sunday we went to church, played Ticket to Ride and went to an amazing art exhibit called Reflections of Christ, please follow the link to find out more about it. http://www.reflectionsofchrist.org/ Monday Geoff had to work and the rest of us visited Miami Metro Zoo. We were all amazed at how huge the place was and would recommend that you seriously consider renting a bike to travel around because we were pooped and almost didn't make it around to all of the animals. Garrett loved the monkeys that "yelled" at each other and swung from the trees. what type were they you ask? " Gibbon, it's a given!" as the lady behind us so nicely told us. That night we had a birthday party for Trav, Josh, and Geoff. Geoff was thrilled with his tomtom to help us get around our new home. Tuesday, Geoff got off work and we all went to Key Largo. Grandma and baby Garrett hung out around a beach in the Peenekamp Park while the rest of the clan went snorkeling. I must admit i freaked out a little in the beginning (poor Geoff he's just happy I didn't sink him in the process) but we were so pleased we could cross this off our bucket-list! Thanks for that wonderful and unforgettable experience mom and dad! That night we celebrated Josh's birthday at Gameworks, a big arcade place. On Wednesday, we road the metro to met Geoff for lunch at the Argentinian food places of Bayside marketplace. While Geoff finished up at lunch we toured South Beach and Lincoln road. We wished we had one more day to play in the waves with the guys and find some good shopping for mom but other than that I feel like all the must-dos were done. We so appreciate that the fam used their spring break to fly literally from one corner of the country to the other to spend some much-desired play time with us! We had such a good time just playing the wii and laughing.
This past week Dad, Mom, Gramps and Grammy came to stay with us. We also went to the lighthouse, beach, and south beach. we met geoff for a picnic lunch in the park one day, ate at van Dyke's on Lincoln road for lunch, took a road trip to key west, and Garrett finally got in the pool for the first time. Garrett loved the water from the get go, splashed his arms, and even gave a happy growl after we dunked him! we were bummed it was too windy for this when the tingey's were here but cant wait to visit in warm weather washington so they can see how much garrett likes the pool too. Key West was kind of a funny place a little like san fransisco, miami, and charleston all together. we tried some key lime pie from Blonde Giraffe's and add our reccomendation to those of locals. Thanks for all coming I was so happy when i heard gramps and Grammy would be joining in on the trip. we appreciate the grocery shopping trip and yummy meals while you were here. Geoff made the comment after this group left that we would miss the good cookin'. sorry hunny, he knows me all too well. :)

we're all tuckered out and way off scedule but loved every minute of our glorious two weeks of family and fun!
moral of the story... come and have a great time with us in Miami. we'll be your free hotel, dinner companions, and tour guides (or not if you prefer.) seriouslly, having company is so fun and we love all of our family and friends and would love to see you no matter how long its been, so... dont be shy... come on down and stay a spell!