To the Sunshine State!

Fans, we have left you hanging for too long. Most recently, we have been in Florida celebrating Grandpa Tom's 75th birthday, early, with assorted Ekkers. Now you might think that Grandpa Tom's birthday was the main event, but looked at from the bambini's perspective, you would be wrong. Joe and Clara met their cousins Julia, Josie, and Quinn and once that happened, "When will Julia and Josie get here?" and "Is Quinn coming?" were near constant refrains from Joe and Clara, respectively. These three were the brightest stars in the weekend's firmament. Joe was especially taken with Julia, at nine and in fourth grade, a decidedly older woman. They were big dogs for Birdie to run with; Quinn, also four, was more her speed.

We visited two pools and two beaches over the course of the four days we were there. All four of us got sunburned. It was -3 and snowing when we left Minnesota. Our sunny-day-at-the-pool-or-beach skills are embarrassingly rusty! But so much sun and warmth and family hugs were a tonic for the winter-weary spirit.

We Minnesota Ekkers think Grandpa Tom was terribly clever to celebrate in advance of his regularly scheduled birthday in May in a warm place. We suppose you learn some things on you way to 75.

Select photo gallery below. (Curated full shoot to be posted on Shutterfly in the coming days for those who would like to view them all or order individual shots. We will circulate that information via e-mail when we've got it together.)