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Pictures of the Party

Last Post of 2010

So....here's this.

The kids never did make it to Delaware. Their flight was cancelled 3 times. So we just decided that was it. There was a lot of disappointment, so I tried to think of something fun. We decided on a party.

So I'm at home right now with MK and friends. Oh...and a mouse. The kids saw one, and I have not been able to relax since. But my hero, the Big Man, went to the store and bought traps. So I should be able to sleep. Seriously, I'm not afraid of bugs (including spiders - whatever category they fall into,) or even snakes....but rodents are a different story.

So here are pictures of the party. Happy New Year!!!

So....

This year we planned something different. We made plans for the kids to visit my parents in Delaware, and this year I was going to stay back in Florida. This was to be the first time they've flown without me, so we made reservations from New Orleans to get them a direct flight. I would drive to NO, and take them to the airport, then drive back to Florida.

The kids were supposed to fly out yesterday, but due to the weather, their flight was cancelled. At least they'll get to see snow, I told myself. So we rebooked them for today, and the Big Man was off work, so he was able to drive us. I checked the flight status multiple times, and it was looking good. We arrived at the airport optimistic that they would fly out. It wasn't to be. While we waited in line, the flight was cancelled.

But, I hope I'm always able to teach my kids to make the best of situations, and we viewed it as an adventure. We went to lunch with the Big Man's brother and family, and the kids and I went to a movie. We have a lovely place to stay, and we're very hopeful that they will fly out tomorrow and salvage what is left of their trip.

So here are pictures of the kids at the movie.

More merriment

Merry Christmas!

Although I did get a message from MK around 4:30 a.m. reminding me to have a fire and Christmas music playing, we didn't see the kids until 7:30. We had a great time. I think the kids got everything they wanted, and Santa didn't go overboard. We've eaten breakfast, and they're contentedly playing with their new toys.

More pics

Christmas Eve

We had a fun and busy day. We cleaned and baked and got things ready. The Big Man worked a long day, but MK and T. Willy pitched in, and we made it. Now it's Santa's turn!!!

Our Christmas Eve traditions include driving around to look at Christmas lights and having a dinner of finger foods. The kids each opened a present, and we read the Christmas story from Luke 2. It was a great evening, and we're looking forward to another great day tomorrow.

Merry Christmas to all of you!

Get well soon!!!

Our fabulous nurse, MK, came down with the bug in the middle of the night. She has had a combination of all of the symptoms the rest of us had, so I'm afraid she's had it the worst. We are hopeful that tomorrow will bring good health for us all.

However, we were confronted with some people this week who've recently endured many more difficult things than we have. We are thankful that our bugs haven't lasted long, and we'll be back on our feet soon...mindful of just how blessed we really are.

Today's picture was taken Tuesday night. I'm hoping tomorrow that we'll all be well and have a lot of reasons to take new pictures!

We're hit

A bug has hit us. T. Willy had it first, mine started this morning, and the Big Man's started tonight. We're praying it skips MK. She's doing a wonderful job taking care of us. Now all I want for Christmas is good health for all!!!

Counting down

We've observed a tradition of going to a shopping center at the beach to look at lights for our third year now. We took some pictures, and a kind passerby took a rare picture of the four of us. We had a fun evening, and we are really getting ready for Christmas now.

There IS an M in team.

MK has been in Orlando for a few days, and we've really missed her. She told me something so sweet, and I had to document it right away.

I've mentioned before our family nickname: "Team Gebhardt." It's made of our initials. So she and I were texting back and forth, and I was telling her that we aren't complete without her. She wrote this: "If it wasn't for me you'd just be tea! And you don't like tea." She couldn't be more right!!! I do not like tea, and we wouldn't be the "team" without her. She comes home tonight - we can't wait!!!

Pictures from MK

Here are some things MK did today. The band walked in the parade down Main Street, but they had the rest of the day to play in the park.

A new day

MK is sending us frequent updates from Orlando. I love the technology that allows us to be in such frequent contact and receive pictures too!

While she's gone, T. Willy and I are hanging out. We brought his good buddy to Burger King. They were hoping to play outside, but it's cold and windy, so we opted for lunch and the indoor playground here. They're having fun, so I am too!!

We're going to do some holiday baking later. I've made a list...just hope I check everything off of it.

Missing MK

MK is in Orlando with the band. They're going to be in the Christmas parade there tomorrow. They've been to Medieval Times and Universal, and she's having a ball.

She asked me to take a picture of T. Willy for her every day, so here is the picture I sent yesterday, and she sent pictures, so here is one of her and a friend.

King me!!!

MK went to the band concert at school last night, the Big Man worked, and T. Willy and I went to a pack meeting for scouts. We met up afterwards at the Big Man's restaurant to talk about our nights. T. Willy took me on in a game of checkers while we waited.

Boys' day!

The Big Man had the day off today, so he was able to take T. Willy to a dentist appointment. Then they had some time to go to lunch and do some Christmas shopping.

They went to Bass Pro and saw Santa. T. Willy didn't want to talk to Santa at first, but the Big Man reminded him of something he hadn't asked for. So he went up to Santa and asked for it. They had time to talk since it wasn't busy at all, and that was really fun for him.

As he walked away, T. Willy asked the Big Man if that was the real Santa. Santa heard him and gestured him over, whispered something in his ear, and then the Big Man watched as T. Willy gave Santa's beard a tug. Convinced, T. walked away happy.

Another party

T. Willy's scout den had a Christmas party tonight, and MK came with us. She was a huge help and a lot of fun to have there. When it was over, we stopped at the Big Man's restaurant for hot chocolate. Here are pictures.

Workin' at the car wash

MK helped the Big Man wash his car. She suited up for the job.

The Big Man and I were there too.

I don't know why I didn't think to get a picture of the four of us. I need to work on that.

Party!

It's the night of the Christmas party at the Big Man's work.

Just a matter of time.

I think our "T. Willy believes in Santa" window is pretty brief. Today we stopped at Wal-Mart, and we happened across Santa. His first question: "Is that the real Santa?" and before we could answer, he decided it was an elf. He's a logical little guy, so he reasons a lot of things. He has decided that Rudolph isn't real, but Santa is. So I'll just enjoy this picture for now, and we'll enjoy Santa while we can. And we'll thank MK for helping him, especially when a friend from school saw her.

4 1/2 hours in the hairdresser's chair...

And T. Willy took one look and said, "It's not good." He sensed a vibe that we were looking for something different, so he said it was okay; he just liked it the other way better...my little diplomat.

Day off

I took the day off from school, so I was able to put T. Willy on the bus. It's always fun for me since I do it so rarely. Here he is getting ready.

MK convinced me to decorate for Christmas this evening, and she was a big help! I usually do it the day after Thanksgiving, but it didn't work out this year. It's gotten cold in the last couple of days, so I'm glad that it looks festive since it feels like December now.