Florida is hot- part 1

We made it to Florida with our 35 high school kids! Things are going great, and our little family is having quite a vacation. To kick it off we spent two days in Key West, which were spent snorkling, visiting alligators, and shopping. We have spent the last two days at Disney World, first at Epcot and then at Animal Kingdom. This is Debbie's first trip to the Mouse's Lair...you would think that being seven months pregnant would slow her down, but she is the one making us go faster! Oh yeah, Eli is having a good time too. :)


Here are some pictures of the first part of our trip:

The family enjoying the sun on the boat

Eli trying his hand at snorkeling

Eli is sitting on a urinal in Hemingway's backyard...yep, a urinal. You see, Hemingway had a house in the Keys where he wrote most of his stuff, and he also had 47 cats. So to water these 47 cats Hemingway took a urinal from his favorite bar and used it in his back yard as a watering trough. Cool.

My incredibly strong son wrestling a gator

Eli has made lots of friends on the bus, including the girl he's flirting with in this pic

This is a family photo, doctored courtesy of the technology toys at Epcot Center

I'll post more pictures when we get home. Till next time...

A weekend in the hills

We had the chance to spend the weekend in the mountains, near a place called Mystic Lake. Our friend Shane and his two girls joined us. It was a great way to spend some quality time with some close friends. For those of you who don't live in Montana- you're missing out. :)

We're headed to Florida next week to chaperone a high school trip to Disney World, which means that Eli will spend his birthday with Mickey and Donald. Not a bad deal for a two-year old. I'll try to post once more before then. Here are a few pictures:

This was the camping crew- Eli, Dad, Mom, Tucker, Erika, Shaena, and Shane

This water table was an early birthday gift from Eli's aunt, uncle, and cousins. He loves it, mostly because he gets to get wet.

Eli spent his camping time in the hammock. Tough life.

Minnesota '07

Debbie and Eli made it home from Minnesota on Sunday afternoon. They had a great trip, and got to catch up with family and friends. It's nice having them home, though (Tucker really missed them).

As for me, I spent most of my temporary bachelorhood in the mountains, trapsing around and catch innocent little fish. It was a good time had by all (except for the fish, that is).

Here are some pictures of Debbie and Eli's trip:

Eli and his cousins pretending to be meercats at the Minnesota zoo

Eli...well...just being Eli

Debbie and Eli on the Carousel at Como Park

Eli and the Pygmie Goat got to know each other well

Distance makes the heart grow fonder

Well, Debbie and Eli have been gone now for nearly a week. They're in Minnesota visiting family, and that makes me a bachelor for 12 days. I've been passing the time by working and hanging out in the mountains with Tucker (the dog). All reports from Minnesota are that Debbie and the Munchkin are having a great time with their cousins and the crew.

I've put some more photos up for ya all, since that's probably the real reason you're here.

Eli in his special Dad camouflage

Aunt Ilene and Uncle Burl were passing through, so we had lunch together and took a picture

Elijah and his friend/housemate David eating lunch outside

Too much feminine exposure, if you ask me

Debbie was really excited about something...

This is Tucker the Dog, in old style

Go West, young family!

Hey everyone!

This is the first post on the Emerlings' blog- an attempt to keep friends and family updated on the happenings of our lives. I'll try to post new pictures and such at least weekly, but no gaurantees. :)

So...Debbie's 30th birthday was two weeks ago (don't tell her I told you). To celebrate, Eli and planned a weekend trip to Virginia City, MT. It's an old gold mining town that they have kept old for posterity's sake. It was great family time, and Elijah rode on his first train. He can hear a the trains' whistle from our home, so he is pretty into trains right now. Anyway, here are some pictures from the trip:

Debbie and Elijah found a furry friend

Elijah took his first train ride

Throwing rocks is a favorite past time for little boys and dads alike

Welcome to Montana

Getting an early start...

We'll post more soon!!