Halloween Florida Style

With the temperature up in the 80s, little to say everyone is out on the street to party and "trick-or-treat" in the heat! The kids had a great time in the neighbourhood and the grownups (and a keg of beer) had a good time too.

Rowan's First Tooth to Come Out!

With a little help from Mom, the first "baby" tooth is set free on 30 July!

The Sunkist Allen Clan Animals

Sunkist Allen Clan's South-East US Trip 09

Between June 12-21, the Sunkist Allen's drove across the South-East US and took in the sights in New Orleans, San Antonio, Memphis, Birmingham and Atlanta (not to mention a number of smaller towns/cities). The weather was very hot, but there was enough to see for all ages to make the trip enjoyable, especially for our two young travellers!

Atlanta

Our final major city to visit was Atlanta and we decided to take in the Georgia Aquarium, which is reportedly the largest in the world. After standing in front of a three story tank with Whale Sharks swimming by, there is no doubt!

Birmingham

To break up the long drive from Memphis to Atlanta, we stopped over in Birmingham and spent half a day at the Birmingham Zoo.

Memphis

Rolling into the former home of The King, we toured the old Main Street and visited the Civil-Rights Museum, which is at the Lorraine Motel where Dr. M.L. King was assassinated. We of course had to head down Elvis Presley Blvd and visit Graceland and the final resting place of Elvis himself. On the way to Birmingham from Memphis we stopped into Tupelo, Mississippi to see the birth place of The King.

San Antonio

Into the heart of Texas, we drove to San Antonio and took in the remains of the Alamo and visited an African Safari park, Texas style in the 100 degree heat.

New Orleans

Much of the "tourist" areas in The Big Easy were originally (1600's) built on the high ground in the area and were not significantly touched by the hurricane in 2005. The family visited the zoo, which is over 100 years old, the Garden District and the French Quarter. For a taste of the real old south, we drove off the main roads and took in some of the old 1800's plantations that still stand today.

Into the New Year (09)

Paola's cousin Claudia and her family came to Tampa after their southern cruise and spent New Years with us in Tampa. We enjoyed time with Merlin on the dog beach at Honeymoon Island State Park and a few trips to Busch Gardens on the rides.

Xmas (08) in Tampa

Nanna's 100th B-Day (Edmonton)

The family travelled back to Edmonton to attend Paola's Nanna's 100th birthday. Rowan was able to get back into the kitchen at the restaurant and our return to Tampa was warred by weather. Can you believe a snow storm in Las Vegas!!