Gaylord Palms ICE

The Saturday after Christmas we headed to Orlando to the Ice sculpture show they have every year at the Gaylord Palms hotel. We have been one other time a few years ago and thought it would be fun to go again. Let's say our trip was eventful as usual. We got a late start, which is nothing new for this crew. So of course everyone was hungry , but all the drive thru restaurants were done with their breakfast. Someone mentioned Sonic serves breakfast all day, so we thought great! There is one at the Fort Pierce exit off the highway so we opted for that route. Of course as luck would have it, we hit a horrible accident just up the highway just past the Stuart exit. This was right beside the rest area where we got stopped. As we sat in traffic for at least 45 minutes, my wonderful husband decides he just wants to try and kill us all and so we decided to try 4 wheeling. He did a u-turn on the interstate and we drove the wrong way on the berm of the road until we got to a turn around where most of the cops sit I think. Well it wasn't long until we had some followers. We crossed over the highway and went back to the next exit and got off and headed out another way. Let's just say we were having an adventure.
Well we finally make it to Sonic, order our food. And as we get our food one of the drinks was a large grape Limeade. Well, the bottom busted out of the cup as it was put into the cupholder, so we had a wonderful mess to clean up. Let's say adventure # 2 was fun! We cleaned up the mess, ate our nasty food(not impressed with the breakfast at all) and we were on our merry way. We did pass about 3 more minor accidents along the way, but finally made it to the hotel.











This is a picture of the outside of the hotel. Beautiful place!



The Ice show is made up of alot of Ice and they keep it a frigid 9 degrees. So coats are required. We took our own , but most of us opted to also wear one of the blue parkas they give you. So with both coats on it wasn't bad. But it did make us look rather large.These coats help you slide better when you go down the Ice slides at the end. We all did it, and it was rather fun! I did see a few people in shorts and flip flops going through in our group. What crazy people!

Afterwards we stopped at Krispy Kreme for some yummy doughnuts. Ours closed in our area, so we don't get them alot because they just aren't as fresh from the gas stations or the grocery store in the pre-packaged boxes. But they'll do in a pinch.
We grabbed 3 dozen so we could have some for Breakfast Sunday morning. Rod was happy when he came out!

Christmas lights

The day after Christmas we loaded 2 vehicles to accomodate our family and friends and headed toward Palm Beach Gardens to check out the lights. One of the neighborhoods usually decorates alot with each street usually having a theme they do. But it didn't seem like there was much participation this year. There is also another street with pretty much 100% participation and they go all out. We tried to take a few shots, but night pictures just aren't our thing. So hopefully you can get some idea what it looks like.

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.

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

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

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.