Florida Keys- Week 3, Part 2

Week 3 continued :-)

When we last posted, we were on our way to Key West...

There's the Key West sign as we zoomed

on by in the Jeep!

We quickly found a parking place and went into the Key West aquarium.

It was a small, but very cool aquarium- it wasn't on our "to do" list originally, but both boys really loved the Key West Aquarium and I'm thankful we stumbled upon it!

We loved the String Ray Touchtank!

Pufferfish...sooooo ridiculously cute!

Lionfish

Cowfish-  This is my favorite fish!

Nurse Sharks...The ironic thing is we paid to see the exact creatures we have been seeing in the wild for the last few weeks...it was still very cool and it reminded us just how lucky we have been to have this experience in the Keys.

Quality time...

Octopus...

We found the Mile 0 Marker!!!!

We made it!!!

Look at the size of those cookies!!! We just had to stop in and sample the sweets in Key West!

There were lots of quirky little shops, bars, and restaurants throughout Key West.  It reminded us of New Orleans a little bit.

It was a great family day in Key West!  

As we were walking through the town, we happened upon this tree...it was majestic and the story was very interesting.

On the way back to Marathon, we stopped by the Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key.  It was the perfect time to see the deer 'cause it was feeding time!  

They were ADORABLE!!!!!

They were curious and just watched us as we watched them!  

This one had little antlers!  Such a cool place to visit and see the Key Deer!

We also had plenty of boat time!  More snorkeling, lobstering, and exploring in general...

Bryan and Aaron, checking out some underwater treasure!

The boys met a new friend, Brendan, whose family owns the campground next door.  He likes all the things Braden likes.  He has taught us a lot.  Here he was teaching us about lobstering and spear fishing...he has a brother named Jordan who likes all the same things Aaron likes!!!!  How awesome is that?!?!

Searching for lobsters along the shallows..

We caught an iguana...and then let him go...

Things wash up along the shoreline all the time...Brendan shared his find with Aaron (who LOvEd seeing all the shoreline treasures during our boat ride!)

Getting dark...time to head home!

The Four Muskateers...Brendan, Braden, Jordan & Aaron... These guys have been  inseparable since they met...There are also two boys across the street and they all have been fishing, swimming, and playing all day together.  The boys are making great friends and having a blast!

All this action and all these boys...Bodie tired....