Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Christmas day 2008

This year we spent Christmas at home here in Florida. Someone needed to stay behind and run the office so we could service anyone who needed any insurance. Our oldest Lex flew in on Tuesday and was here for a week in the warm weather. We also had some friends, Kenny & Janet who came down to get out of the cold northern weather. I have to tell on myself , as I usually am one that has everything together for the most part when it comes to preparing a big meal. Let's just say this year I really messed up. I guess with the busyness of trying to get everything done as we worked a half day on christmas eve and then Rod & I headed to Stuart to grab a few last minute stocking stuffers and a gift. As we headed back home we pulled through Winn Dixie grocery store to see what time they were open till since we had not bought anything for our Christmas dinner. An employee was coming out and Rod rolled his window down and asked the employee how late they were open . She proceeded to say normal hours. Wow!I thought that was great(unusual) but great. We rushed home to get our pizza ordered so we could eat dinner with our company & Kevin & Becky were coming over also. We laughed and cut up for quite awhile and we decided about 8:00pm we should get to the store. Well.... The store was closed. Now what do we do? We really messed up!! We drove on up toward Stuart to see if anything was open, No luck! Now what? We ended up at Walgreens where I think most everyone else decided it was their only last minute gift option. I grabbed a gallon of milk , dozen eggs, and a pack of bacon to get us through breakfast with some other things I had at home. Luckily the store was open from 8-3 on Christmas. Needless to say, we ended up having dinner rather than lunch.

We got up and Santa Clause came to see us. He gave all the kids some gum and a present and even gave Lex her two front teeth she said she wanted when asked about her gifts. After santa left we ate breakfast and then opened our presents. They got several wii games and one that was the hit...Guitar hero. We now have several teens who want to come play. I've even gotten a few songs that I can actually play well. Brittany was quite surprised because we took off the outside cover to it...so she didn't have a clue what it was till she opened the box and saw the guitar. I think everyone was happy with their gifts. I put together a slideshow from the day.



Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas!

I hope Everyone has a Merry Christmas. Enjoy time spent with family and friends!







Christmas Decorations

The house is decorated and most all the packages are wrapped. That's a plus for me considering I have had so much going on with working and getting ready for company. Our oldest Lex flew in Tuesday from Ohio and we also had friends who drove in from Ohio on Tuesday. We have a houseful and the entertainment begins! Below are a few pictures of the few decorations we did this year.





The tree. Bought this one a couple years ago after Christmas at a Menards when we were in Ohio and hauled it back on the back of our motorhome. I love this big tree!



The fireplace with all the kids stockings waiting to be stuffed.




My piano with my snowmen. One sings and Frosty sings and dances and one just lights up


My little table with a few lighted houses

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Office Christmas Party

Today we closed the office from noon till 1pm for our Christmas Lunch with the employees. We decided to just have lunch catered in rather than go to a restaurant. I decorated the tables to try and make it look halfway descent. I didn't think it turned out too bad considering I was having a hard time finding something to decorate with. Lunch was catered by Banbury cross bakery owned by Jonathan Kogut from our church. The food was yummy! We had tossed salad, Lasagna, chicken piccata, green beans and for desert chocolate silk with carmel tart, lemon bars and chocolate chip cookies. Everything was delicious and we are all ready for a power nap about now.







The table decorations


Rod helping himself to the food


Our wonderful employees


And Rod, myself and Kevin & Becky owners

Monday, December 22, 2008

High Maintenance

In the midst of all the Christmas shopping, and all the cleaning for a party Brittany was having this past Saturday night with about 20 teenagers from school and the cleaning for company coming in to spend Christmas there's always time for a little relaxation at least for one family member who doesn't have a care in the world. Meagan is labeled as our high maintenance child # 6. We are going to let all future potential boyfriends/husband material know up front she has been like this from the beginning.





This picture was random, but Rod & Britt both yelled for me to grab the camera in the midst of our cleaning frenzy. Meagan decided Santa Mickey needed a potty break!



Meagan decided the hot tub sounded good and stripped and jumped in. She looks quite relaxed!




And theres always time for a pedicure even if you have to do it yourself.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Neighborhood Christmas Luminaries lighting

This past Saturday night the neighborhood had a luminaries lighting. You place bags with sand in them along your property with a tea light candle in them and light them. It looks really pretty. Unfortunately I really didn't take any pictures of them. They encouraged everyone to participate and if you wanted to set up some snacks to share you were welcome to. Everyone loves our coffee(not sure why) but we make it flavorful just like starbucks. So we set up a table along with our neighbor and had quite the spread. We made over 60 cups of coffee and most all our snacks were eaten. I made buckeyes and peanut butter temptations and our neighbor pitched in with fudge, bananna bread and hot cider. It was just cool enough that it made for a pleasant evening of fun. Santa even showed up and served the coffee and kids of all ages sat on his lap. He was a big hit. One little guy was so cute, he said "I love you Santa" And wanted to know if Santa would bring his brother several items. Guess he thought he could get some good brownie points if he asked for his brother and he could just share. We had alot of fun.





Friday, December 12, 2008

Office Christmas Decorations

We just love this time of year. And seeing the decorations at night in the office when you drive by just seems to add that special touch. I wish I could get some good pictures to show you exactly how it looks in the dark, but I am not very camera savvy when it comes to getting nighttime pictures. I need a crash course in photography! Anyhow here are a few pictures of the decorations in our office.





Of course the Christmas tree. We bought a prelit tree this year. I really like it, but I know when the lights go out we will be in trouble.



This little tree is on our conference room table



And this is at the reception desk where I work. It looks so nice at night.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Christmas Parade

Saturday was the Annual Christmas parade. As usual we had a car in the parade with people walking along handing out Frisbees and little gift bags with odds and ends in it. We have done some advertising with Chick Fil-A and so the Santa cow came along with us and rode in the car. We passed out coupons to Chick-Fil-A with our names on it as a form of advertisement and a way for people to get something free at Chick- Fil-A also. I think the cow was a hit! Anyhow, while Everyone endured the long walk and the waiting I stayed behind to take pictures. Below is a little bit of the parade in a nutshell.








After the parade was over, they all came back to the office. It's nice because the office is right on the parade route, so we get front row seats, the convenience of a fridge with cold drinks and a bathroom if needed. Everyone wanted a photo-op with the cow. So we took a bunch of pictures with the cow! Below are a select few for your viewing pleasure.


Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Happy Birthday!

One of our employess had a birthday today. We got her a cake to celebrate. Happy Birthday Robyn! Hope it was great.



Monday, December 1, 2008

Thanksgiving Day!

We had a relaxing day of eating till our hearts were content, no extra rush of having to get things done on a schedule, we ate when the food was done. Kinda nice for once. We usually have a house full, but I have been sick for about 4 weeks with this lovely sinus drainage and chesty cough that acts like it's getting better, then decides to hit hard again. I can't smell or taste a thing.Wish that would help me to not want to eat as much. Anyhow, we had good food and some family time. This was Grandma Brown's first adventure out since she got home from the rehab place. She's doing pretty good at getting around most days. Below are a few pictures of our tasty food!




3 of the girls helping inject the Turkey so he can go in the oven



Meagan doing it all by herself



Our yummy deserts- pecan pie, chocolate chip pie and pumpkin roll




Our yummy meal consisted of Turkey, Green bean casserole, Real mashed potatoes and Gravy, Rolls and stuffing



And a picture of a few of the family