So January is off and rolling, and it hasn't waited for us to be ready. School got back into full swing the week after New Year's, which allowed Holly and I to get back into the routines at our respective offices.
School and the kids activities are going very well and they are keeping us busy. D has Scouts and soccer this winter, and C has soccer and gymnastics. In fact, C got invited to be on her first 'real' gymnastics team, and she is working hard and loving it.
D's soccer team is 'playing up' an age division - and still winning consistently. It's amazing and fun to watch. C's team is also going through the competition with ease, to the point that the league organizers are pushing to move them up as well. I don't think that this is appropriate yet, but it's fun to watch.
Grades came home last week, and both kids are doing great as always.
Work is going well for both Holly and I, and keeping us busy. That's fine, as long as the checks keep coming.
I'm trying to write more and keep things updated, so we'll see how that goes.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Free to Good Home...
Hello all, Fat Sam here. That's me over on the left, you know, the family dog? The best pet in the house? The *only* pet in the house? Well, for some reason, unknown to me, the family decided that a lovable pug wasn't enough and brought home... a cat. A grey, furry, sneaky, cranky, cat. And they leave me home alone with it every dang day. It's almost enough to drive a dog to chew on something. Yes, it's a decent cat... for a cat. It likes to play with me sometimes, if you call getting jumped on from high places 'playing'. I'm normally an easy going pug, but sometimes that cat drives me to chase it around. A dog has to show who's in charge sometimes, am I right?
They named the cat 'Cody'. Well, the kids named it Cody. Holly and David call it 'Evil', which in my educated dog opinion is just about perfect. It's Evil, plain and simple.
Anyway, everyone wants to know what it looks like, so I asked David to post this photo... I think that it shows his true side pretty well. I think we'll work out a relationship, as long as that cat remembers who's in charge around here, that's me! I'd hate to have to keep 'educating' him about who runs the house! He also needs to remember that all the toys that are laying around are mine! Mine!
Oh well. So if anyone wants a cute(ish) gray cat, just drop me a line. I'll hook you up. Promise.
Christmas 2008
Well, Christmas 2008 has come and gone already. I don't know about the rest of you, but it went by really fast for those of here in MFT (Merrick Family, Tallahassee). Everyone had a great holiday, and this one was really special since we had both sets of grandparents in town, as well as my grandfather. The kids were spoiled again, but who's complaining? David got a Red Ryder BB gun, which was fun for everyone, and Chase got an American Girl doll and more clothes for it that I think I have in my closet. A good time was had by all.
For Christmas Dinner we had our traditional fare - Chicken Marsala, pasta, and salad. I think it came out great, if I do say so myself.
We aren't doing anything special for New Year's Eve (as evidenced by the fact that I am writing this), but I wish everyone out there a safe and happy New Year.
Here is the link to more Christmas photos. Enjoy!
Wow! Over a Month
Yes, it's been a while since we posted anything here.
We had a good Thanksgiving, down at my folks house in central Florida. Lots of family made the trip, which made things even better. We also celebrated both my parents birthdays that weekend.
Besides Thanksgiving, we've had a busy month. Work has kept both Holly and I hopping, and the kids have been doing great in school.
C came down with a nasty case of pneumonia in early December, but a dose of antibiotics bounced her right back. She thought the chest x-ray was awesome; she got to see her own film, and thought was 'totally awesome' that she could see her ribs, etc. Of course, any trip to the doctor that doesn't involve a needle is a good day for C.
Anyway, the holiday season was upon us before we knew it, and that led to a great Christmas, which I will write about separately.
We had a good Thanksgiving, down at my folks house in central Florida. Lots of family made the trip, which made things even better. We also celebrated both my parents birthdays that weekend.
Besides Thanksgiving, we've had a busy month. Work has kept both Holly and I hopping, and the kids have been doing great in school.
C came down with a nasty case of pneumonia in early December, but a dose of antibiotics bounced her right back. She thought the chest x-ray was awesome; she got to see her own film, and thought was 'totally awesome' that she could see her ribs, etc. Of course, any trip to the doctor that doesn't involve a needle is a good day for C.
Anyway, the holiday season was upon us before we knew it, and that led to a great Christmas, which I will write about separately.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Blue Angels and Scout Camping
Last weekend, half of MFT (Merrick Family, Tallahassee) headed over to Pensacola with the Scouts to camp out. I say only half because for a variety of reasons the girls decided not to go.
So D3 and I made the long drive to Big Lagoon State Park last Friday, loaded down with camping gear. While driving through Pensacola, I nearly wrecked the car several times while distracted by the Blue Angels, who were flying as we drove in. At one point, there was an F/A-18 only about 500 feet above the road.
When we got to camp, it was 81 degrees and about 120% (yes, it's possible. This is Florida) humidity, and overcast. Not a great start. We got the tent up during a pause in the drizzle, and then he went to play, while I and the other Pack leaders made rounds helping families get set and (semi) comfortable. Since Pensacola is Central time, it was pitch dark by 5:20pm, making everything even more of a challenge.
It rained on us again that night, squashing almost any hope of an actual campfire. Of course, I thought I would try to build one anyway, resulting in me looking slightly foolish as I spent thirty minutes to produce a pathetic, smokey fire that put out zero heat. Of course, we were all sweaty and damp, so I didn't want to get any warmer. Note to self... never again try and start a fire (in the wet) while fifteen Cub Scouts are standing around watching you. It's not going to work. Ever.
It quit raining around 9pm, the cloud cover blew off, and the temp started to dip. By Saturday morning, it was windy and in the 60's and never strayed far from there all day long.
We headed out to NAS Pensacola around 9:30am (local time) and stayed until the Blue Angels were finished around 3:30pm. The skies were clear and blue, and except for the 25mph wind all day, it was beautiful weather. The air show was amazing, and I have a few photos to put up here at some point. The Blue Angels put on their usual awe inspiring performance, but we also got to see an F-16C Viper demo (loud), F-15C Eagle demo (louder), and an F/A-18F Rhino demo (stupid loud). The USAF put on their "Heritage Flight" with the F-15 and F-16 flying formation with a WWII era P-51D Mustang. That was really cool.
We got back to camp in time to start cooking, and the Pack fed over 70 people that night as we all relaxed and had a good time. The boys all practiced skits, and after dark and dinner we put on a campfire program that I think everyone enjoyed.
I slept like a rock on Saturday night, when it got into the 30's. Good camping weather.
Sunday was the chore of breaking camp, including dealing with a tent that had been pitched on wet ground and was now coated with dirt and mud, and driving home. Once again, I'm no fan of that 3 1/2 hour drive. I-10 through there is booooring.
The next camping trip is to Marianna, and the Florida Caverns State Park. I'm pretty sure the whole family will make that one, we'll see.
So D3 and I made the long drive to Big Lagoon State Park last Friday, loaded down with camping gear. While driving through Pensacola, I nearly wrecked the car several times while distracted by the Blue Angels, who were flying as we drove in. At one point, there was an F/A-18 only about 500 feet above the road.
When we got to camp, it was 81 degrees and about 120% (yes, it's possible. This is Florida) humidity, and overcast. Not a great start. We got the tent up during a pause in the drizzle, and then he went to play, while I and the other Pack leaders made rounds helping families get set and (semi) comfortable. Since Pensacola is Central time, it was pitch dark by 5:20pm, making everything even more of a challenge.
It rained on us again that night, squashing almost any hope of an actual campfire. Of course, I thought I would try to build one anyway, resulting in me looking slightly foolish as I spent thirty minutes to produce a pathetic, smokey fire that put out zero heat. Of course, we were all sweaty and damp, so I didn't want to get any warmer. Note to self... never again try and start a fire (in the wet) while fifteen Cub Scouts are standing around watching you. It's not going to work. Ever.
It quit raining around 9pm, the cloud cover blew off, and the temp started to dip. By Saturday morning, it was windy and in the 60's and never strayed far from there all day long.
We headed out to NAS Pensacola around 9:30am (local time) and stayed until the Blue Angels were finished around 3:30pm. The skies were clear and blue, and except for the 25mph wind all day, it was beautiful weather. The air show was amazing, and I have a few photos to put up here at some point. The Blue Angels put on their usual awe inspiring performance, but we also got to see an F-16C Viper demo (loud), F-15C Eagle demo (louder), and an F/A-18F Rhino demo (stupid loud). The USAF put on their "Heritage Flight" with the F-15 and F-16 flying formation with a WWII era P-51D Mustang. That was really cool.
We got back to camp in time to start cooking, and the Pack fed over 70 people that night as we all relaxed and had a good time. The boys all practiced skits, and after dark and dinner we put on a campfire program that I think everyone enjoyed.
I slept like a rock on Saturday night, when it got into the 30's. Good camping weather.
Sunday was the chore of breaking camp, including dealing with a tent that had been pitched on wet ground and was now coated with dirt and mud, and driving home. Once again, I'm no fan of that 3 1/2 hour drive. I-10 through there is booooring.
The next camping trip is to Marianna, and the Florida Caverns State Park. I'm pretty sure the whole family will make that one, we'll see.
Crazy Squirrels
Holly and I are debating on the number of acorns in the yard. With all the oaks, we basically have a carpet of acorns from one side to the other. Wall to wall nuts. So what are the squirrels doing? They are burying acorns. Yes. Like there's going to be some recession fueled acorn shortage. Fellas, its a smorgasbord of acorns out there. Not to mention, if you run short, the government will surely pass the Squirrel Acorn Relief Bailout Act of 2009. So relax guys, you're covered.
Yes, this was useless filler. Actual content coming soon. Unless it doesn't. At which point I will promise more, and you will still come back to read. Funny old world, eh?
Yes, this was useless filler. Actual content coming soon. Unless it doesn't. At which point I will promise more, and you will still come back to read. Funny old world, eh?
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