Southern Florida- Day 5

Today we kept it simple.  We went to church in nearby Homestead.  It ended up being Stake Conference.  It was for all of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina (48 stakes total).  It was wonderful.  We were meant to miss the cruise so that we could be here for this.  I know it might sound silly but we both felt it.  We both got that affirmation of the Lord is over all and if we have to be at a stake conference in southern Florida he'll make it possible for us to be there....like missing our cruise.
Elder Nelson presided over the meeting and there were other general authorities as well.  The spirit was so strong.  Then it hit me, yes I am grateful for living in Utah and raising our family there.  That our kids have great friends with mostly the same morals and upbringing.  I was raised in a non-mormon dominate community and have a strong testimony, so I know it can be done.  The young women here, in Homestead, were dressed modestly, a stark contrast to last night.  It's the gospel, no matter where you live, that brings the comfort, the peace, the high moral standards, everything you need to live righteously, no matter where in the world you are.  It starts in the home and how important it is to teach my children to be honest, kind, virtuous and live with integrity.  To live in the world but not be of the world.  It was lovely being here for this historical event (it was the first time broadcasting a stake conference to so many stakes at once).
After church, we went back to the hotel and changed.  Then we were off to do the Safari Air Boat ride through the Everglades.  I have to admit, I wasn't so thrilled to be on a boat looking at alligators, but it was really cool.  I'm glad we did it.  It was a perfect Sunday activity, while on vacation that is.  Out in nature and see God's beauty and His creations.  We got to see lots of alligators, turtles, birds, snakes, and more.
After the air boat ride, we went to see an alligator show.  Yep, the guy put his hand in the alligator's mouth to only pull it out just in time.  It was cool though.  He would call their names and they did respond to him.  They were massive in size too.  At the end of the show, you could hold a baby alligator if you wanted.  Quique did, but I didn't.  We waited our turn.  He held it and I touched it.  It freaked me out because the one he held last night was warm.  This one was cold and slimy.  YIKES!
We walked around the rest of the park with caution.  Because we saw several alligators, not behind fences that were way to close for comfort, just along our path.  Quique was going to take a photo of me and then we realized that a 13 foot long alligator was only a few feet from me.  Then of course,  Quique scared me a few times and absolutely loved it.  However, I did get him pretty good too!  He jumped out of his skin.  hahahaha
Afterwards we went back to the hotel, had a nap, went for dinner and came back to the hotel.  We were watching tv and I totally fell asleep.  Quique talked to the kids and tried to wake me apparently but to no avail.  Today was a great day!

Southern Florida- Day 4

WOW!!!!  We woke up at GiGi's Resort B&B.  It was cute and quaint for one night but not to be repeated again, even if it was a great price and a block from the beach.  Each room was themed and we had the 'Paris' room.  Don't think think that it was all decked out like Paris or anything, it just had a picture that said Paris and that's really it.  Everything seemed damp but maybe it was just because we were so close to the beach.  So while Quique was showering I found a nice hotel to stay in down in Florida City that was super cheap and clean.  So we planned to stay there for the last 3 nights.
We left GiGi's and walked down the beach a while.  Then left to go to the swap shop.  HOLY COW!!!!!  I've only heard about places like this.  I've been to one in Ohio but that is nothing compared to this one.  We were there several hours and got about half way though it all.  It was so cool.  I totally want to go back in April.  We got some phone accessories super cheap and nice new luggage super cheap too.
Then we went straight down to check into the hotel in Florida City.  Once we did, it was like a weight lifted off our shoulders....more like Quique's  because he was worried every day where we were going to stay and I was just care free....like play, play, play and we'll crash where ever, when ever.  However, it was nice to know we already had a place and we didn't have to go looking all over the place.
Once we unloaded the car and were out of the car long enough, we got back in to go to Miami, South Beach, Miami Beach and Bayside.  It was pretty cool.  Walking along Miami beach and South beach on a Saturday night was so awesome.  Talk about a huge nightlife 365 days.  We walked and shopped for a while.  All the high end cars were valet parked so Quique was drooling over them and taking photos of them.  There were BMWs and Mercedes like Utah has Hondas and SUVs.  You didn't see any clunkers or old, run down cars.
We left South beach and went over to Bayside.  It was pretty cool.  We walked around for a while checking it all out.  Enrique got to hold an alligator and I touched it but the guy wanted a photo for $20.  Insane!  We found live latin music and salsa dancing.  Unfortunately, we didn't dance because we were starving since we didn't eat since breakfast.  So we ate a really good Puerto Rican place.  Then it was time to go because our parking meter was up.  We left about 12:30am and got to our hotel just before 2:00am.  It was interesting though, the later it got, the more people would show up wearing less clothing and the more drunk everyone became. I was hit with reality and was suddenly grateful that we live in Utah and raising our family here.  I've never seen it that way before.  I am so grateful Heavenly Father is in charge!