Farewell 2007

We had our friend D.J. over the other day to play Wii and hang out. We had a blast!! Luke loves the Wii and would play 24/7 if we let him. He's pretty good but he hates to lose, I think it's a man thing. So here are a couple pictures from when D.J. was here. The last picture is of the sunset I saw on my way home from Bradenton on Christmas evening, it was beautiful.

Happy New Year!!

Christmas break

I can't believe how long it's been since I've blogged, I've been very busy. Matt had a nasty cold that knocked him on his backside. He's feeling much better now but he was too sick to go to his mom's on Christmas. I took the kids and we had a great time. The kids love hanging out with their cousins. They will all grown up one day so I treasure each moment I spend with them. Well maybe not every moment but most. We also had family in town from Michigan; Aaron, Sam, Leah and baby Elijah. It was Elijah's Florida debut!!

Today is Matt's b-day and we have dinner plans with family. I had a party last night at our friends house for him and we had a great time. I made him a book for his birthday, and he loves it. He said it was the best gift he's ever received. In our house, the person that's having their birthday gets to celebrate all week. We don't really plan it that way but somehow it always ends up that way. So this is Matt's week.

Matt been off work all week and doesn't go back until Wednesday. It's been great having him home except for the part about him being sick. I think he's a bit spoiled!! He has also spent many quality hours with the boys playing their Wii. That video game is like crack but more addictive. I like to watch everyone play and get so into it. Of course the men that play can't stand to lose. I like the bowling and golf but I don't play enough to get good. I would recommend the Wii to anyone thinking about buying it, it rocks!!

We have some big changes coming in the New Year for our family. The biggest will be how we eat. We are going to be eating a more organic diet with whole grains and the good fats. I know we will all feel better without all the extra chemicals in our bodies. We haven't been eating so great since my surgery and I haven't walked in a while. All that will change very soon. I know that I've put a few pounds on but I know I'll get rid of it soon enough. I feel like I've laid the ground work on becoming more healthy in 2007, and 2008 will be even better.

Merry Christmas

Savannah opening one of many presents Christmas morning.

Luke getting into his stocking.
Austin was pleased with his gifts.
Luke with his Dale gift set.
The dogs got goodies too.

Christmas Eve

(the kids got to open one yesterday)

Nana LOVED her Dora Magical Carriage!
Yes, we got Austin numchucks!! (soft)

Austin, Grandma Connie, Nana & Luke.
Nana at dinner last night at Tony & Kelly's!!

Santa

I braved the crowds yesterday to take Luke and Nana to sit on Santa's lap at the mall. I put a pretty Christmas dress on Nana and she was very excited to finally meet Santa. We usually don't do the Santa thing but Nana really wanted to go. We waited in line for an......HOUR!! I took my camera planning on just taking my own pictures but you aren't allowed to take pictures unless you buy a package from them. The packages are $20 & $22 and that only allows you to take two pictures. What a rip off!!

I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I love this time of year. I always look forward to spending time with family and friends, and of course the food. We will be busy the next few days. The kids can hardly wait until tomorrow morning. I'm making a huge breakfast for everyone.

2nd Place!!!

That's right; Austin got SECOND PLACE in the Science Fair at school!! We just got home from checking out all the projects on display. All the kids in 3-5 grades have to do a project every year. Some of them were really nice and others, not so much. But my boy got second place!!! Way to go Austin. It was a lot of hard work for everyone, so I'm very pleased.

Paramedic of the year!!

Here are some pictures of David recieving his award at the City Council Meeting. And the tall guy is our Mayor, Rick Baker.

A Real Hero...

This is my brother-in-law David. He is the 2007 Paramedic of the Year in St.Petersburg, Florida!! We are so proud of you David. We are going to watch him receive his award tomorrow afternoon. I will be sure to post some pictures of the event.

Score one for the good guys!

For those of you who know me, know that I love sports, especially football. I'm also a big NASCAR fan but football is special in my heart. I started watching sports the day I was born and grew up playing softball, bowling, swimming, basketball, and of course football. I remember in high school; playing with my brother Duane and his friends. I love the big games and winning is everything!!

I'm getting away from what I was going to talk about. I am just so excited that Tim Tebow won the Heisman Trophy this year. He's the FIRST sophomore to ever win. This kid is the real deal and has really got his priority's in order (1. God 2.family & friends 3. education & 4. football). Although he is an amazing football player he is better at life. In his acceptance speech he thanked his Savior, Jesus Christ first, and last. Tim is exactly what college football needed, and I'm so proud that he's a Gator!!

Why?

I just got done reading of yet another child dying of cancer. This wasn't a rare cancer, Ashley actually had the 'good' type of leukemia, if there is such a thing. Ashley just celebrated her 11th birthday a couple months ago. This April Ashley relapsed for the second time and her only chance was a bone marrow transplant. It took quite a while for her to achieve remission but after she did she got her transplant. It was all to much on her body and she passed away yesterday. She fought so hard and so long, she was diagnosed at age 3. Her little brother Ryan was also diagnosed with leukemia but is off treatment and doing well.
http://www.caringbridge.org/wi/ashley/
We are never promised tomorrow so live everyday like it's your last. Tell the people you love how much they mean to you. Spend time doing things you enjoy with people you enjoy. Don't put off important things, and forgive.
In this holiday season I ask that everyone do something nice for someone. Put a smile on someones face, put a smile on your face.

Pennies from Heaven

I have been working on a fundraiser with Luke's school, Perkins Elementary for the past two months to benefit the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. A former student, Dylan Crane battled Ewing's Sarcoma and passed away in 2005. Dylan's mom, Carole came up with the name "Pennies from Heaven" and Dylan's dad designed a flyer to put on the jugs.
I collected all the jugs and cashed in all the change today. I am very proud to say that the kids collected $424.72 to help fund the cure. The PCF is such an awesome organization doing so much through the Sunshine Project to fund research. The Sunshine Project is focused on Ewing's Sarcoma and new treatments for this rare but devastating bone cancer. These kids fight so hard and suffer things that I can't even imagine. Most that die; do so not from the cancer, but from the treatment.
I would encourage everyone to do a fundraiser like this. It was pretty easy to do and so rewarding. The class that collected the most money wins a popcorn party. Luke's class was the winner with almost $70!! Way to Perkins!!!
*****New total.......$530.18!!!

Santa Parade 2007

I took the kids to the 2007 Santa/Lions Club Parade in downtown St.Petersburg yesterday. It was their first parade and they were impressed that people were just throwing candy and beads at them. We had a great morning and the weather was perfect. I had no idea that my kids were such good beggars.

St.Pete Times float

Nana getting hugs from 'The Cow'
Luke LOVED it!!
Santa
Nana getting some more beads
Ladder truck
I love these guys so much!!!
Our loot
Our beads
This was her face every time she didn't catch anything.

This week

Yesterday was the big report card day. Both boy's did wonderful and Austin even got a Perfect Attendance award. We are starting to really see a difference in Austin since he started this new school. He still has quite a bit of catching up to do but we know he can do it; I really don't think he's as confident of doing that. He's a very hard worker but gets easily discouraged. We just keep plugging away.
Luke had some type of 24 hour bug earlier in the week. He lived up to his nickname, Pukey Lukey. He's all better now but Nana has something now. Her voice sounds really cute because she's so hoarse.
I was planning on taking Luke and Nana to a parade in downtown St. Pete this morning. Matt is going to the driving range with Austin. We've had a busy week with dance class, Cub Scouts and karate. Austin has been working on his Science Fair project too.
I hope everyone has a great weekend.