Happy 6th Birthday Mya!

Thanks for a perfect party and Happy Birthday Mya - we love you!!!

Merry Christmas to you & Happy 10th Anniversary to us!

We've been so busy this year. After Gail went back we spent a day in the Villages with Rita, Eileen, Sue and Richard, Jen, Rich and Mya and on Christmas Eve Jen had a party at her house. On the big day Maddy was thrilled with her American Doll horse, Mio Pup, Webkinz penguin, My Littlest Petshop and 2 goldfish, Swimmy and Lucky! About a half hour after getting up, turns out that Santa left a new bike too! Maddy didn't find it right away since it was in the Dining room. We all got to pick two items for Christmas lunch - mine were lobster and fish, Mike's were crabs legs and shrimp and Maddie's were macaroni and cheese and chocolate cake! It was a relaxing, perfect family day. On Boxing Day we went to Zephr Park and took a trip to check out Sue and Richards RV. It's really amazing - we're now dying to rent one and take it up to the Georgia mountains.
We celebrated our 10 year anniversary on Friday. I got Michael 10 gifts for 10 years (paper, cotton, leather etc). He suprized me with roses at work and picked me up in a limo. We went shopping in Hyde Park and then to dinner and drove back via Bayshore to see the most spectatcular Christmas lights I've ever seen. It was a luxurious and romantic night. Neither of us can beleive it's been a decade since we got married. Maddy wouldn't speak to us when we got home since she didn't get to go in the limo!

The girls playing on the bed at Nana's with a color trick on my camera - I love how this came out...

Mya on Christmas Eve...
The Big Day!!!



Goofing around with the ducks at Zephyr park on Boxing Day...
Me and Michael in the luxury RV...
10 years on...

It's a Very Mickey Christmas

Gail came to visit at the beginning of the month which was perfect timing. We got to reflect on 2007, make goals for 2008, plan Christmas and spend quality sister time together. We went to see the manatees at the TECO plant in Apollo Beach and the 'Very Mickey Christmas Party' at Disney World. The castle was covered in icicle lights and looked absolutely amazing. Richard took a video of the end of the fireworks - we had a great view!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving was great again this year! Rich did himself proud with another amazing turkey. We couldn't face the 5am Black Friday shop and spent most of the next day lazing around and shopping on-line instead. Happy Holidays!

The Great American Teach In

On a designated day each year in the States, parents visit schools to teach the children about their hobbies, careers or interests. I visited Maddy's class this time to talk about credit unions and identifying counterfeit money. It was my third year now; last year I had to follow a rock guitarist and this year, 'Rocky', the USF Bulls mascot...sigh...

I loaded the kids with candy and gifts and they seemed to have a great time. It is one of my most favorite days of the year...for a whole hour my baby looks at me with the biggest eyes and a beaming smile - so proud of her momma...

Spiny Backed Orb-Weaver

We found this spider this week living in our lanai...

Trick or Treating

We had a great time Trick or Treating. Check out some of the neighbors' houses!

It's Pumpkin time again!

Maddie and the Breakdancer

Madison had a breakdancing class this week. She did really well. This is Alex posing for his 'international' audience. I made him stay like this for three shots! You can see Maddy in the back pretending not to be impressed...

Save the Manatee

Madison has been learning about environmental causes at school this week. She has chosen to support the protection of manatees. To raise money, Madison sold home made lemonade and cookies today. She made $31! We have adopted "Flicker" who winters at the TECO plant so we can go and visit her!!

Gail's Visit

Missing you already...

Labor Day Weekend with the Simards!

We had a great time in Orlando for Labor Day weekend! Maddy and I won the scavenger hunt, Mya had a great time with a giant parrot, Mike won the Bingo, Rich lost his leg hair on the slide and Jen moved rooms 3 times! We had a perfect break...

Maddy's in 3rd Grade!!

Here's Maddy on her first day in 3rd grade. High School Musical bookbag, pencils, pencil case, hat, umbrella etc. My baby is growing up!

Breaking Boards

Madison did board breaking at the weekend. I got some action shots!

Happy 8th Birthday Madison!!!

Madison invited 13 of her girlfriends over for a High School Musical Disco Sleepover party. We had pizza, pass the parcel, freeze dance, the High School Musical movie, dance mat and disco-dancing in between. The girls stayed up until about 1:30 am (when Michael finally told them the stop giggling) and woke up around 7am. In the morning we had crafts, pancakes, Guitar Hero and more of the dance mat! Thank you so much to all of the special girls who made the party such a hit and for all of Madison's wonderful gifts!