National Zoo Trip

Lisa, Bethany, Mary and I decided to go to the National Zoo back in March...about a week before Easter. It was such a beautiful day. I didn't even wear a jacket, as I'm hot most of the time. We had a great time. I actually drove it, thanks to my sweet husband getting a Garmin for me to use whenever I venture out alone. :) He is a whiz at driving the D.C. traffic, but I tend to avoid that area in my roamings. Anyway, it worked well and was well worth the trip. Bethany and Mary self photo
The REAL deal


Mary and Nancy at the front of the National Zoo after lunch

Mary, Lisa, and Bethany eating lunch at a great outdoor cafe near the zoo
Nancy and Mary
Lisa and Bethany

This is a sign under one of the towers. The apes are actually over the open zoo on the wires at some points. Neat to watch. The towers start at one of the monkey houses and goes to the other one and they can go from one to the other whenever they want to.

Getting ready to climb upThinking about climbing up

Orangatuan climbing the tower
Hanging loose

The monkey house is at the other end of the orangutang wire. Here is one that has evolved a bit more than the rest. She was actually cleaning her own cage! haha Lisa actually did hear someone commenting on how we had evolved from those things! Sad, isn't it?

Grouchy boy

He was just sitting there until I aimed the camera at him then he covered his face and then glared at me. I think he is cute.

Mary, Bethany, & Lisa

There were so many animals to see...we ran out of time and didn't even get to see all there was to see. We plan on going back this summer before it gets too hot to enjoy. For those who are in this area and haven't been, you need to go!! If you don't want to drive, take the metro. Call me and I'll go with you!! :)

Last day in Sarasota

Some of the trees in Jo's back yard. We had a fish fry on Thursday evening. Great food!!

Jo, Nancy, and Vanessa...Dave took this just before Theron, Sam and I had to leave

Dad and me

Wild Dave...I think this picture looks like he's a wax figure! haha

Another Day at the Beach

My absolute favorite thing to do to relax on vacation is to sit on the beach and read while listening to the waves. On April 2nd, Samantha and I took off for Siesta Key Beach (it's about 15 or 20 minutes from the Gygers' house). It is the perfect beach..the sand is fine and powdery and a white white! The water is beautiful, too. We stayed about 5 hours, and both burned where we missed with our lotion. It was worth it, as it was the perfect beach day! Sam spent most of the time in the water, while I sat and read all day.


Sam took this right as we got there, so I could send it to Theron. He was back at his mom's working. Great secretary that I am, I still took the day off.

Dominoes Night

We always like to play Dominoes with Dad, so on Wed evening, we battled it out. I think Dad won, as he always does! Jo also made us Mocha shakes. Vanessa, Samantha and Dad
Jo, serving it up
Goofing off...Sam is not amused
Dave getting the leftovers..sorry, Dave, you snooze you lose

Sanibel Paradise

On Wednesday, April 2nd, Vanessa, Samantha and I spent the day on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. First, we went to Bowman Beach (really, that's the name!). Then, we drove over to Captiva and had lunch at the famed Bubble Room. We stopped by a shopping area on the way out and did a bit of shopping. It was such a neat day!

The walkway down to Bowman Beach

A waterway you have to cross over to get down to Bowman Beach. There were people fishing off the bridge and some canoeing down the "stream". It was very pretty.

I always stand in front of this sign and try to look sad every time we go here. I look so weird in this picture, but for tradition's sake, I am posting it. One of these days I'll take the time to scan in the old pictures and put them on here, too! I guess at one time or anther someone thought it was a nude beach and thus, the sign.

Sam strolling on Bowman Beach



Nancy and Sam outside of the Bubble Room

Sam and Nessa in the Bubble Room

Nessa and Nancy in the Bubble Room...great food and very eclectic decorations.

This sign was in a ditch behind where we shopped. I looked for an alligator but couldn't find one. Usually we do find them on Sanibel.

Spending time With Nessie

On Tuesday, Samantha and I headed down to Ft. Myers to spend a couple of days with Vanessa. We had a wonderful time!!

Nessa and Sam on her dock behind her "new" house. They had not moved in when we were there, but just did last weekend.

Their swimming pool

Vanessa and Nancy in front of the house.

Nancy playing in the palm trees

We went to the Shell Factory. It is an old Florida super store with a bit of everything. I snapped this to scare Mary and Chrissy for what I might plan for THEIR special days someday. haha

Hailey loving on her Daddy before she had to go to bed.

Hailey wasn't too sure what to think of me at first. However, she warmed up to her Great Aunt Nancy pretty quickly. We had such a good time playing and laughing with her.

Vanessa bought Hailey some sunglasses while we were out shopping. Hailey loved them and wore them quite a bit all evening. She is a neat little girl.

Hailey loves her daddy, Nathan.