Little Havana / Miami - 2018

After not making any foreign trips in 2017, we decided to start 2018 with a trip through the Panama Canal.  Miami is our embarkation port, a warm place to go in the winter. 

The day before we left Houston for Miami, Houston had a snow/ice event that closed both of the airports.  The morning we left (January 17th), the airports were open, but the highways were icy and we had trouble getting an Uber driver to take us to Bush Airport.  When we did get to Bush Airport, it was a "Mad House".  Long lines were everywhere.  People were trying to re-book their flights from the previous day's cancellations.  We were able to navigate the lines and get checked in OK.  Our flight was suppose to depart at noon, but our flight was delayed until 8pm.  Fortunately, we did leave that day, arriving in Miami at midnight.  Eight hours late.

We spent two days exploring Miami's "Little Havana".  Fortunately, our hotel was centrally located so we could walk where we wanted to go.

Welcome to Miami and Little Havana

Versailles Restaurant known for it's Cuban Sandwiches and pastries.

A lot of giant chickens in Little Havana

"Old Men" gather to play checkers and chess at Domino Park

Dominoes is a popular game in Little Havana.

Texas New Year - Caribbean Cruise - 2017

During our holiday visit in Pearland, we spent one  night in Austin.  From there, we headed to Waco so Jen and Tien could visit the Magnolia Market. This market and the famous Fixer Upper TV show on HGTV put Waco, Texas a trendy city to visit. For us, it's a fun place to see before ringing in the new year.

New Year in Austin

At Magnolia Market in Waco

In March, we met up with Andrew's family and Michelle in New Orleans for a family Spring Break's Caribbean cruise. Seven days of  warm sunshine and relaxation!  Ports of call included: Cozumel, Roatan, Harvest Caye, and Costa Maya. Carter and Sawyer loved cruising.  They became experts at the ice cream machine.  We all enjoyed the good food and ship's activities.

The local chocolate factory in Cozumel.

At the chocolate factory

Ready for the beach.

Beach time.

Beach time.

Tien and Michelle enjoying an adult beverage.

Sawyer and his favorite beverage

Fresh coconuts.

Ready for dinner.

Sawyer in the "Kids Club" show at the end of the cruise.

We spent the month of May traveling to Los Angeles and Kansas City for two special and beautiful weddings. Emily's wedding was in Moorpark, CA on Mother's Day, May 14. Congratulations to Emily and Cody!.  Phuong's wedding was in Ft. Leavenworth, KS on Phuong's Ba Ngoai (Grandma's) birthday: May 20. Congratulations to the newlywed couple!. We had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed our two family reunions on this occasion.

Back home in June, we were busy getting our house ready to put on the market. We had lived in North Carolina for twenty-one years.  We moved to Texas in 2017.

Leaving Raleigh

Our empty house.