November 28 - December 3, 2002 | Over Thanksgiving weekend, we flew down to Florida to visit my family. Lots of firsts this trip. Sasha's first plane ride, Sasha's first Chanukkah, Sasha's first time in ocean water (well, the Gulf of Mexico, but that's pretty close!). We flew on Thanksgiving Day and arrived at my brother (David)'s house in Fort Lauderdale (1 on the map). The next day, we drove across the state to Sanibel Island (2) for camping. On Sunday, Lisa, Sasha & I split off to drive up the coast to St. Petersburg (3) to visit the Salvador Dali Museum. Then back to Fort Lauderdale (1) to visit Sasha's Grandparents on Monday. Sasha was very adaptable this trip, he hardly complained at all, even when flying. Aunt Melinda commented "he's the kind of baby who makes people want to have kids...." Yes, he has that effect on people! : )

(2) At the camp site on Sanibel Island. Aunt Melinda holds the two youngest cousins... Sasha's first Chanukkah began with a make-shift mennorah made by sticking candles into the crack in the wood of the picnic bench. The lights were pretty and Lisa's singing the prayer made it special. Friday night was pretty cold, with temperatures dipping into the mid-40s. Fortunately everyone had something warm to wear. The next morning, more chess; that Nicky is a great player already -- and he's only six! Ben was off making friends with other campers; Sasha was contemplating the pieces ("i think that white one would fit in my mouth!?"). The Lemures were keeping busy in their cage...

On Saturday, we go to the beach. After a nap, Sasha began playing in the sand ("mmmm, tastes good!") then went to dip his toes in ocean water. The water on the gulf is really mellow, and a sandbar about thirty feet off shore meant no waves to speak of. The perfect spot to explore the salty water....

(3) In front of the Dali Museum on a bench inspired by Dali's melting watches. When we were looking at the massive painting The Ecumenical Council (1960), on the right, Sasha decided to spit up on my shoulder. Maybe he had a bit too much of Surrealism, at that point? He didn't spit up when we saw Cornell a few weeks ago? : )

(1)Back in Fort Lauderdale Sasha visit his Grandparents on Sam's side in the same house I grew up in. Three generations of Rosenthals under one roof. That's a pretty rare occurance...

At this point, the camera battery ran out, but we had used up all our photos (and had to delete many other nice ones to make room for these). On the plane trip home, Sasha had a bit of a sniffle... so the ride wasn't quite as fun for him, yet he still took to traveling like a trouper, with very little problems or fuss. I mentioned to Lisa that I'm pretty adaptable to situations and Sasha seems to have this trait from me? We'll see in the coming months. We have more trips planned for 2003.....