Christmas In July

3 Years, 34 Weeks.


It's hot.

Man, is it hot.

Isn't this supposed to be Winter?  We've been averaging temperatures in the mid 80's all week, and even though the calendar says we're smack dab in the middle of December, it almost feels like it's summertime, amidst all the Christmas decor and holiday songs and the shopping chaos.

I know we're in Florida, but c'mon!  Can't the weather cool down just a little?  I mean, look at what the rest of the country is experiencing!

Hmmm.  On second thought, maybe this weather is fine after all!


Here was our week:

• Friday after picking Brae up from gymnastics we hooked up with some friends and neighbors for dinner to celebrate Richard Ottati's birthday and partake of some holiday festivities at downtown Winter Garden.  It was nice to see everyone together, since with all the events during this time of the year everyone gets so busy and it's difficult to plan anything spur of the moment.  It was very enjoyable to see downtown all lit up with Christmas lights, and it almost made it seem we lived somewhere up north.  Almost.

Practicing their headstands.

Watching big sister's routine.

The Christmas tree in downtown Winter Garden.

Snow!...err...ice!

We crammed into the small private room at Winter Garden Pizza.

The Ottati's named their new boy Luke, hence the t-shirt!

• Saturday we went to church and attended Sabbath school.  That evening we attended a United Way event at Sea World, where we got to enjoy their new Christmas programs as well as their winter village set-up.  We hadn't been there in a year, so the kids were very excited.  It's very pretty this time of the year with all the glitter and glam; I can only imagine the man power needed to decorate all the theme parks during the holidays!  The kids had a good time, and enjoyed the kids play area, this time the twins were within the height range to ride all the rides, although with an accompanying adult, which meant Tangie and I rode the Shamu roller coaster with all of them.  Twice!

With Calleigh at Sabbath School.

Kohl participates in his Sabbath School.

Fashioning their heavenly crowns...

before promptly placing them on our heads!

Adalyn, Madelyn, and Kohl lie on the stuffed lion during story time. 

The dads help out with the crafts while the mommies chat.

The Christmas tree at the North Pole.  Madelyn was pretty pumped up.

We even got to see Santa Claus, although Brae didn't believe it was him, rather one of Santa's helpers dressed as him.  When asked where Santa was, she said, "In the North Pole making toys, HELLO?"

The twins managing the ropes course.

Watching the Shamu Christmas program.
 I felt guilty, especially after seeing the documentary Blackfish a few weeks ago.

Riding the dizzy boat ride.  I opted out!

Riding the crab drop ride with Mommy.

How the ride home ended up!

• On Sunday Tangie worked half the day, taking a few hours for lunch to join us as we attended Pierce's first birthday party at the Jamerson's in Longwood.  It was a lot of fun getting into the spirit as it was a mustache party and everyone was encouraged to sport a mustache throughout the party.  Later that afternoon we swung by the Grodacks, who were gracious enough to allow us to view the Broncos game on their big screen, as it wasn't on any of the local channels, while they took off for their night at Sea World.  The game was fantastic, with us blowing the Titans away 51-28, which is more than I can say about last night's game against San Diego.  The Chargers came into Denver and handed us our 3rd loss of the season, as well as our first loss at home.  It also snapped our win streak against AFC West division rivals at 10.  It was a pretty bad loss, I don't remember seeing our team play so badly in a long time.  We definitely have some work to do if we're going to make it to the Superbowl.

Mustache party!

Richard could pass off as a "Ricardo" with that 'stache.

I, on the other hand, look like I'm one of those 'Da Broncos! fans.

Always enjoy a celebration get together.

The Jamersons with the birthday boy.

With the Mr...I mean, Mrs...

The girls get their lips on.

These guys really like hanging around together!

Heading over to the Grodacks, Tangie decided to walk while Brae and Kohl took to their bikes.

• The rest of our week:

Suppertime point of view.

She cut out her own snowflakes and I hung them up in her room.

Our traditional "Group get together before the Grodacks head up north" Christmas party.

Topping off dinner with some froyo.

Being good and coloring while I pick up some things at Old Navy.

The twins check for any new presents.  This morning they found the large box!

Being good and reading during our Costco run.

Mommy ordered something from online and it arrived broken.  Oye.  

Clearly enjoying their drive with Daddy!

Apparently we did evolve from apes!

Having a ball with their new furry feet.

Garden Update:

A head of broccoli almost ready for harvest!

Eggplants still coming in.

Randoms:

Tried to wrap up Tangie's new chair as inconspicuously as possible!

Not much of a pond...

Upgraded our microwave oven this week.  The old GE's rotating tray stopped working.
We went with Whirlpool instead. 

IHOP's lesser known conservative brother.

Quotes:

• Tangie and Brae were driving to school, listening to Christmas music, when Joy To The World comes on.  It gets to the part, "Let Earth receive her King..."  Braelyn blurts out, astonished and very confused, "Her??... Earth is A GIRL???"

• After Thursday night's debacle on the football field, I got Braelyn up to go potty before heading to bed:

          Brae:  "Daddy, did we win?"

          Me:  [disappointment in my voice]  "No sweetheart.  We lost."

          Brae:  "What??  How much did we get?"

          Me:  "We had 20 points.  The other team had 27."

          Brae:  [pause]  "That's okay.  We win all the time, so don't worry about
                                   it."

          So wise beyond her years!

Our gift from the Bergherms!  Personally monogrammed too!

Have a great weekend!