We drove to the airport Friday afternoon. Our flight out of SLC was delayed because we were waiting for the pilots to show up on a different flight. I was a bit nervous because we only had a 75-minute layover in Houston. We finally boarded after a 45-minute delay and as we were walking down the aisle I realized that the airline had upgraded my seat automatically. I didn't want that! I was looking forward to seeing Nate's reaction to his first experience on an airplane. Ah well, he said it was fun, but he slept most of the time. We faced yet another delay when we landed in Houston. Apparently there was a lot of traffic on the runway, so it took us another 15 minutes just to get to the gate. Now I was even more nervous, not because we weren't going to make it to the gate, but because I didn't think our checked bag would make it by the time the plane took off. Fortunately, our second leg of the trip was also delayed. This is probably one of the few times in my life when I was grateful for a delay. In summary, we arrived in Miami, drove through some pretty freaky neighborhoods at 1:00AM, made it to Jake's place, and fell asleep around 2:00AM.
Note about the rental car: Sam, remember talking about us getting a red car? Well, it happened! They had assigned us a small, red car. I wasn't about to drive around the whole weekend in a car the color of "the team up north," whose name will not be mentioned on this blog, so I went back and asked them to give us a blue car. A sweet, peaceful feeling surrounded me as I sat down in our brand new (only 3 miles on it), blueish vehicle. :)
After what seemed to be a 10-minute nap, we had to get up to drive 45 minutes to make our 9:00AM appointment for baptisms for the dead at the Fort Lauderdale temple. I hadn't participated in baptisms for the dead in years, and I think I can say now (I'm writing this paragraph on Sunday morning) that our experience at the temple will be the highlight of this trip for me. Not only did I have the privilege of baptizing Nate on behalf of some of our deceased brothers, but I was also able to baptize the two cute little McKenzie sisters, a brother who himself is a recent convert to the Church (those baptisms were done in Spanish), and a Sister Siddles. Oh, how I love the temple.
"Uh, Daniel, I'm a 15-year-old male teenager. I don't do the hug pictures."
"That's better. Now I'll really smile........with my eyes closed."
Doesn't this look like a painting? I'm not sure what my camera was doing.
What a gorgeous morning!
We stopped for some delicious, post-temple sushi.......and ate way too much! Having served a mission in Colombia, I decided to try the Colombian Roll. Nate ordered the Dragon Roll. Both were very good. We also tried their veggie tempura.
I don't have much to say about this place. I hope Nate liked it, but to me it was a pathetic version of Sea World. Fortunately, they gave us half off the total price when I told them I'm a Veteran.
Deer at the "Sea"quarium? This was right next to the alligator pit. There were no signs. Are they telling us that the deer are food for the alligators?
The sea lion show was decent.
Performing CPR on the rescued diver.
The dolphin show wasn't too bad as well.
Jake took us to a sports grill on Saturday night so we could eat and watch the Lady Cougars compete for the volleyball national championship (see TV in background). He told the waiters that we had come all the way from Utah to watch the Mormons play volleyball and football. The food and company were good. The volleyball? We'll cheer for you again next year, ladies!
Nate just finished the Book of Mormon for the second time.....out on the balcony in the balmy Miami weather.
This afternoon we attended church at the Miami Beach 2nd Branch building.
Check out where the parking garage is located. :)
After the fireside we asked some of the BYU football players to help us sing Happy Birthday to Sam and Stacie.
Nate with Hayden Griffitts, a potential future quarterback for BYU's football team - after he serves his mission to Japan. He gave a good talk at the fireside tonight.
Nate with BYU's current QB, Christian Stewart, who also served a mission to Japan.
Bronson Kaufusi with Nate, after the fireside.
I got to talk to the vice president of BYU (Matthew O. Richardson) tonight as well. I took his marriage class when he taught at BYU. Great guy.
Monday: I drove Jake to Fort Lauderdale Airport early this morning so he could fly to Canada for Christmas, and then I stopped by the temple once more to get a night shot.
Later on this morning Nate and I walked around the University of Miami (Hurricanes).
I got to talk to the vice president of BYU (Matthew O. Richardson) tonight as well. I took his marriage class when he taught at BYU. Great guy.
What do you think, Sam? You could rock quadruplets with this thing!
And then we went to the game. Oh, the game.
There's our little rental with the very impressive Marlins Ballpark in the background. It has a retractable roof.
All pumped up for the start of the game!
Yes, my dear, I thank you for letting me come out here for a few days while you stayed home with the little man and the frigid temperatures. I shall indeed be home for Christmas.
Miami skyline in the background.
The game didn't turn out how we were hoping it would, but at least I got my two seconds of fame. :) Thank you, Lori, for taking this photo. By the way, I don't agree with the sign that dude is holding up. If you're going to travel to cheer for your team, then cheer for the CURRENT team, not the one you wish you had.
After the game Nate and I headed over to Duffy's to drown our sorrows in root beer.
All in all we had a great time in Florida, and now we're looking forward to being back with family for Christmas.
