(Photo is Sophia below the rare Full Christmas Moon!) To our great delight, Sydney joined us for the holidays – same as always, yet still brings so much joy!…

We spent a few days of fun in the sun at Pier 66 in Ft. Lauderdale – swimming and playing daily, making Christmas preparations and mingling with Tony and the C&C30 sailors in town for training. We also celebrated Sophia’s 12th birthday!

Celebrating Sophia’s 12th birthday in Ft. Lauderdale.

Sophia and Oliver made a poster beckoning our “Elf” Francisco to find us at anchor in Biscayne Bay… it worked!

After Ft. Lauderdale, we cruised to Miami and anchored out at our favorite Miami anchorage – Marine Stadium. So beautiful there, clear water and gorgeous views of the Miami skyline. We wanted to share this place with Sydney so we were so happy that it worked out weather-wise to go there.

Paddle-boarding and playing about the boat. Tony and Oliver saw a family of sting rays near the trees.

Decorating our tiny tree at anchor in Marine Stadium.

For Christmas week, we went to the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo and had the most wonderful, magical, delicious, fun and joyful Christmas. The five of us. All together. This is the greatest joy for Tony and I and now, only now, do we understand how our parents must have felt to have all their kids together. Holidays or not, it is special.

Sisters!

Lots to do at Ocean Reef on Christmas Eve – swimming, pick up soccer, hot chocolate and Christmas cookies while waiting for Santa…

Santa arrived at Buccaneer Island on a Hobie-Cat.  S and O were able to put in one last request to the man in red before nightfall.

Lastly, it is our family tradition that Tony reads “Twas the Night Before Christmas” to the kids before bed…

As always, the kids made fast friends on neighboring boats. Lots of friends and new toys to play with on Christmas day.

Enjoying the full moon on Christmas ~

Docking at Ocean Reef was a pleasure. We loved it there. I especially love this photo of Cortado with a glimpse of our stockings hung in the cockpit and our Elf Francisco clinging to a fishing rod above…!

Tony opening his gift of new tools from the kids and donning a gorgeous soft wool hat hand-knitted by Sydney

Playing together on Christmas Day.

This was a full holiday for us. We loved every minute, every gift, every swim, every friend we made along the way…

Happy Holidays, everyone ~ !