Bok Tower at Christmas Time

Late this morning I decided to take the kids to Bok Tower for the afternoon. Pinewood Estate is decorated for Christmas and I was really curious what it might look like this year. After all, they change the theme of the decor each year. This year's theme was "A Storybook Christmas" and it was just stunning. Well, all of the rooms except Mr. Buck's office. It was themed "Snow White", but it looked more like Halloween than Christmas. It's a small room and they put the wicked step-mother in the center of the room with a dark tree and purple lights everywhere. Just didn't get it. Otherwise, the rooms were simply breathtaking! Well worth the extra $$$ to get in. And I think the kids enjoyed it, too.

Since our kids have 'grown up' at Bok Tower they know it like the back of their hand. We've developed a tradition of letting them be the guide when we go. They decide where we'll go explore. Most of the time it's really fun to see where they love to go. For some reason, we always end up at the cafe' with ice cream in our hands! LOL!

We spent alot of time this afternoon in the 'fort' where they added some sticks to the walls. It's a fort built on multi-leveled decks covered in sticks, palms and other such natural materials. Really fun for kids! Maegan discovered that dried palms worked really well as a broom and had a blast cleaning up after Aaron and Madison. You know if I had suggested it, she would have whined and never spent so much time 'cleaning'. It is encouraging to see them conscious of messes and the need to clean! (Makes me proud, anyhow! LOL!)

On December 13, 1996 Butch asked for my hand in marriage at Bok Tower. I'll never forget it. So very simple, yet so very thoughtful. He knew how very much I adored The Gardens and thought it would be romantic to ask me to marry him there. He couldn't have done it better!

Since that special moment we've spent countless hours exploring and making wonderful memories at Bok. The list of birds alone is just awesome! Then there's the animals, the swans, snakes, spiders, trees, flowers, lizards, skinks, Easter Sunrise Services, the list goes on.

What a true treasure it is! At the beginning of this new year I can't think of a better place to start fresh and new. Enjoying nature and spending time together as a family. I hate that Butch couldn't be with us today. But then again, it makes me so very thankful that he has a job!!!

I believe we are blessed beyond measure! And this I am so very thankful for!

Life truly is GOOD!