Sunday, December 30, 2007

Our Christmas Story - 2007

If you try really hard, this poem can be recited to the tune of "The Night Before Christmas"

Well, kind of...


Twas Christmas in Florida,
when all through the land
There was sunshine, and laughter,
and family on hand.



First it was Disney
in Orlando, bright
To reunite with Brenne's
-so long from our sight.



The castle was covered
with lights up and down.
And fireworks exploded
all ‘round the town.


The cousins were nestled
all snug in their cart.
While visions of pirates
gave them a start.


Maddie in her goofy ears
And Bill in his cap;
Had just settled our stomachs
after the Space Mission gap.

When out on the lawn
there rose such a bang,
The kids battled the troll
and the Wildcats sang.

We had wine in France;
And in Ireland, a jig;
And then we were exhausted
and even hugged a pig.

Away on land speeders
Will and Maddie flew like a flash
To catch the Incredibles
– but we didn’t see Dash.



The ball at Epcot
provided a nice scene.
Maddie and Will
thought it was quite keen.


Our family took pictures
didn’t we, dear?
At MGM, Epcot and the Magic Kingdom.
We have them right here:



We watched a wood carver
And waited in line.
And Campbelle waved at the princesses
– oh they were fine!


Then after 4 days,
before insanity we’d reach;
We packed up the rental car
and headed for the beach.


When what to our wondering eyes should appear
But a beautiful condo
with ocean views so near.


We joined up with Gina and Marva and Jerry
I knew in a moment the octopus wasn’t scary.


We decorated a tree
and the boys flew a kite.
And we watched Grandpa gag on eat clams
Boy, that was a site!




We held candles at church
on the beach Christmas Eve.
A sight not possible in Minnesota,
you better believe.



More rapid than a dolphin, Santa, he came
To our condo Christmas morning – and he called us by name:
“Now Campbelle! Now Christian! Now Maddie and Will!
On Brenne’s and Dais’s and Tammy and Bill!”


To the edge of the ocean,
To the edge of the pool,
Now swim away! Now swim away!
Swim away, fool!


And then in a twinkling
I heard in the water
The splashing and laughing
Of my son and my daughter.

As I drew in my head
and was turning around
The children were stacked high
and making lots of sound.






Will and the older boys
went fishing to try their luck.
Through mangroves and channels,
That single fish cost 300 bucks!


We laughed and we ate and we truly relaxed
Until reality called, "It's time to come back!"
But our wish to you from this tropical isle:
"Merry Christmas, Happy New Year - may you live it in style!!"

Saturday, December 29, 2007

We're Ba-ack...

Hey! I hope you all had a great Christmas!!

Well, we're back and freezing our butts off. Really. There has been no trace of the sun since we left Fort Meyers, we're buried in a huge blanket of snow and more is falling from the gray sky right now.

I can honestly say that this is the only vacation that I've been on where I just was not ready to come home. I think if we'd win the lottery tomorrow, I'd been on the next plane to Sanibel with Bill and the kids. I'm sure the island would have a school for the kids, while Bill and I could just open a t-shirt and shell shop near the beach... Right??

We decided to skip our typical Christmas photocard and letter this year. Last night we ordered a New Years photocard of us on the beach at sunset - we're tan, unshowered, disheveled, utterly happy, and completely relaxed. It truly defines our amazing vacation.

I have a ton of great pictures to share with you! Now I just have to find the time to pull them all together...stay tuned!

Monday, December 17, 2007

Merry Christmas

Wow. I haven't posted in forever. Don't worry - no alien abductions or anything...I've just been busy spending money like a mad-woman, frantically packing for our upcoming trip to Florida, and absolutely consumed by a 3-day Monopoly game with my family, which I just so happened to lose to my husband this evening.

God, I hate to lose in Monopoly to my husband.

I was going to try to post something a little more substantial before we leave on Wednesday, but I know myself too well. There's no guarantee that I'll actually follow through with that plan - I might be really busy tomorrow. Or I might actually get abducted by aliens. Or I might find some more money that I can spend.

But anyway, I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas! I hope this holiday season is filled with lots of family, friends, joy, love, peace and amazing memories. Stay safe and stay warm!

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

The dangers of winter fun...



Maddie's night of sledding ending rather quickly last evening as blood-curdling screams filled the bitterly cold air.

After all the blood was cleaned up and the drama subsided - this brave, young soul thought it would be appropriate to get a close-up shot of her first fat lip "in case you want to blog about it, Mom."


Somebody please tell me I'm not a bad influence...