Today we headed to Orlando to spend the day at Disney's Blizzard Beach. It was cloudy so wasn't too hot which was nice, also seemed to keep the crowds down a bit.

We celebrated Derek's birthday with cake and presents. The most popular gift was his Nintendo Wii. He's been playing it non-stop since. It came with a bunch of sports games like bowling, tennis, baseball, boxing and golf.

Derek and his Incredible Hulk Cake

This weekend we spent a lot of time on the boat. Wasn't much wind so was a perfect time to break out all the water sports gear. We went tubing, knee boarding and wake boarding on perfect sheltered water in the Banana River.

Danny and Devin on Tube

Happy Birthday Dad! Click the play button below for a special song from the kids, bet you can't guess what it's going to be.

Here are some pictures from our vacation. We stayed at the Burnt Store Marina Wednesday and Thursday. It had a nice dock right next to the ships store, a deli, and a restaurant. We had Thanksgiving Dinner at the restaurant after swimming at the pool during the day.

Friday we anchored out overnight after a day's sail to the North. We had dinner at Cabbage Key which is a famous restaurant with dollar bills all over the walls and ceilings.

Saturday we again sailed North, this time out into the Gulf of Mexico where winds were up to 20kts. It was a real thrill with the boat moving along at quite a clip. We spent Saturday night docked at the South Seas Resort, which had a ton of activities for the kids, including lighting the Christmas trees and seeing Santa.

South Seas Resort on Captiva Island. This is where we docked and stayed the night on Saturday.

South Seas Resort. This is the view from our cockpit looking into the marina.

Lisa reading a book about sailing around the world on a catamaran.

Just got back from our 5 day stay on a 38' Catamaran in Punta Gorda, Florida. We had a great time... sailing weather was PERFECT. Here is a picture of the boat. I'll post more pictures of the trip after I get them off the camera.

I'm a Good Boy!

You guys aren't going to believe this, but I can walk again! There are so many wonderful new smells here, and I can see clearly now. I feel like a young dog again, my tail is wagging so hard. I'm so happy not to be stuck in one place anymore, I'm running around in HUGE circles as fast as I can I'm so excited. I really miss you guys, but it's SO nice to not be in pain anymore, I hope you'll understand that I'm much happier now where I am.

I just want to say to mommy that I know how hard it was for you to let me go. You'll never know how much your comforting meant to me these last couple of months. I was so embarrassed and sorry for making a mess on the floor all the time. I know how much work it was for you, but you never yelled at me, you only offered love and support. I'll miss you rubbing my belly, and playing tug of war with me, you are my best friend. You are the source of my very best memories in life. You're the best mom a dog could ever have.

I'll miss you too daddy. I'll always remember how proud you were of me when I learned new things. It was so nice to you hear you say how smart I was, and it made me so happy to hear you tell everyone what a good dog I was for staying in the yard and not running away.

Danny, Devin, and Derek, I got to see each of you come home as babies and then grow into fine young children. Each one of you brought home your own unique smells and I'll never forget them. I'll keep thinking of you when I am sniffing around my new home. I love you all and appreciate all the walks we went one, all the times you opened the door for me, and all the times you filled my bowls with food and water. Please remember me always as your first dog, the one who was there to see each of you born, and the one who always loved you the most.

Love and licks,

Zacky