Miami New Year's bash, champagne and parrots

It felt unreal, that we were sitting in our apartment talking to Jess and Kristo, friends from Luzern who now lives in the US. It just happened that they were in Miami for New Years. The plan was to meet up on the beach but with the windy weather, there were no chance for a beach day. Instead we hung out in our apartment playing with Dixie, eating sushi and drinking prosecco. I can't describe in words how cool it was to meet up, I missed you guys! Awesome start to the last day of the year. 
 

 New Years eve continued with fun and play with Dixie and all her new toys. We prepared a late dinner "surf and turf" consisting of a file mignon and lobster tails dressed in garlic butter. A salad with arugula, blueberries, dates tomatoes and crumbled blue cheese (I love how they have goat cheese and blue cheese crumbles ready made for salads here in the store). Do I need to add that it was all very delicious!

Popped open a well chilled Moet close to midnight to welcome 2013. Excited about a new year and what it has to offer.
 

Aawww it's nice to wake up early and without a headache. Today was Dixie's day. Another day when it was to windy to be on the beach, instead we took Dixie to the Jungle Island in Miami. Excited to see all the animals. On the way in Anders got to hold a baby alligator but Dixie was to scared to pet it, one of her favorite animals is crocodiles/alligators but up close even the baby ones were scary.

More fun were the parrots that you could feed. Dixie a little hesitant at first but after some time she wanted to feed them too.

Dixie watching the animal show with big eyes. She shouted and clapped her hands in excitedment. So cute! I don't think I've seen her this excited about something before.

On the way out, more feeding. We had to. It was so much fun and so cool that you could feed the parrots. Dixie was excited to be so close to the parrots. Dixie talks, she talks a lot, and especially when she is excited and happy which is pretty much all the time. She talks long, very long sentences and she looks into your eyes when she tells you something... and we have no idea what she is talking about. However, I assume today she was telling me of what a great day she had at the Jungle Island.

After a two hour nap in the car, where we cruised south on Dixie Highway, Anders and I took turns to go in to stores for shopping while the little one was sleeping in the car. On our way back to Miami we stopped at Bayfront Park near down town Miami. A very happening place with a board walk, lots of restaurants, bars, shops and people. After all our times in Miami, I never knew this existed. Dixie had some icey to complete her fun day.

Beautiful ocean views from Bayfront Park.

Instead of cooking at home we stopped at Olive Garden. I mean, where else to fulfill Dixie's day since she loves pasta. If you ask her what she wants to eat, it's always pasta (or ice cream). Dixie excited about her pasta dish and she ate like she had never seen food before. I guess we will go to Olive Garden more evenings for dinner. What a great day and a great way to start the new year. 2013, bring it on, whatever fun and exciting things you have to offer. Happy times and health to all of you!