Beautiful building

September 3, 2007





It was a holiday, and we enjoyed not having to go to school (or drop off/pick up anyone from school). It was Labor day, but why "labor" when you can enjoy the beauty of the temple?





We drove to the Orlando Florida Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The temple was quite far away from where we live--maybe 40-45 minutes drive--but it was worth it. I also quickly stopped complaining about the distance, because that was much closer than the ride to the temple in Taiwan. Although the temple is closed on Mondays, and we wouldn't have been able to go in anyway, we enjoyed the beauty of the building. We took pictures and walked around the grounds. It was breathtaking.

If you ever have the chance to visit an LDS temple--anywhere--do it, and enjoy it! Here are more pictures.

Possum

September 2, 2007

Last night we were driving home through our neighborhood when I saw what looked like an ugly cat at the edge of someone's driveway. I wondered why there was a cat outside because I had never seen cats roaming around our neighborhood, whether owned or stray.

As we got closer to the "ugly cat," it ran away. At first Jason thought it was an armadillo (there are many here--usually dead on the road). We later realized that it was a possum. I was surprised to find out that there are possums running around the neighborhood. Yuck!

Sorry, no pictures of "ugly cat", but here's a link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Possum.

See you later, Alligator!

September 2, 2007

After church today we went to Lake Jesup, which is where the alligators are kept here in central Florida. Nalani is standing next to a sign that says, "DO NOT Feed the Gators." I think that won't be a problem. We don't want to get near the alligators.

We walked out along the grass toward the lake and past the boats where people can go on rides on the lake to see the alligators. Anuhea and I stopped to look at a small boat like a fishing boat. We couldn't understand how anyone would ride a boat like that since it was so low and close to the water. While we stood there, I saw the tip of an alligator's mouth (about the size of my hand) lurch out of the water, possibly to snatch an insect! I hoped I would see it again so I could get a picture, but after standing there for a while--in the hot sun--I gave up.

Here are pictures of alligators that the people at the lake have for visitors to see for free. Jason says that any alligators caught are taken to Lake Jesup.

Our new home

My family and I are renting a nice home in Oviedo, Florida. We have 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, and living room. We have a front yard and back yard (which we've missed for the past 3-1/2 years while in Taiwan), and they're beautiful!

Here are pictures of our house.

RAIN!!!

August 25, 2007

2 days ago I wrote how we hadn't had any rain here in the Oviedo/Orlando area of Florida since we arrived. Well, the next day--yesterday--it rained.

I guess someone did the rain dance. THANK YOU!

We had dark clouds and thunder this evening, but I'm not sure if it rained. Now we just need more rain to cool things off here. Heat and humidity are not fun.