Opa!

4 Years, 2 Weeks.


This past Saturday evening we joined 16 other adults at a loud, raucous Greek restaurant at Pointe Orlando to celebrate a surprise party for Amy's 40th birthday.   Jennifer and I had been in cahoots with Karis over the past month or so, devising a plan to get a nice group together for a fun celebration, originally planning to do it at the Hilliard's home, going all out with a Moroccan theme with catering and decorations.  But when the quote from just the decorating vendor came back, we decided it would be more cost effective and entertaining if we went to a nice restaurant instead.

The Group:
Back row L to R:  Me, Tangie, Jennifer, Bruce, Rob, Lisa, Corey, Duncan, Doug
Front row L to R:  Abel, Vasti, Heather, Karis, Kelli, Kent, Bobbi, Heather, and Amy.

We settled on the popular Taverna Opa on International Drive.  Tangie and I had been there before, although we had eaten outside instead of inside the restaurant, where they have belly dancers and the waiters throw napkins all over the place.  Definitely a bit more edgy than The Cracker Barrel and we were hoping everyone, especially Amy, would have a good time.

With Karis and the birthday girl!  Notice the people behind them, dancing atop the tables!

The music and beat was deafening, and we could barely hear each other as we tried to carry on limited conversations, but it was great seeing the smiles and laughter on everyone's faces.  We all got up on the tables for a group photo, and I, with Tangie's blessing, volunteered to dance with the belly dancer in Amy's stead, much to her delight and relief!  No one can deny I'm a team player!

The least incriminating photo of me and the belly dancer!  

In the end we all had fun celebrating together in an adult atmosphere, where we didn't have to worry about the kids for a few hours.

Here was our week:

Having fun with Kohlden's face!

Just hanging around with Daddy.

She lost another tooth that day!  [Literally, see Randoms]

Maddy trying out her new bike!  Gotta get used to it now.

Quick visit to the park at sunset.

Sabbath morning ride with the guys.  That's Karis in his Canadian "Eh?" jersey!

Spur of the moment trip, we surprised the kids with a family day trip to the beach!

Having lunch before some fun in the sun.

Braelyn working on her handstands!

Kohl and Brae jumping the waves.  The water was still a tad chilly!

Maddy gives her famous pose.  I wonder where she...

never mind!

Mommy enjoying her time with the kids.

The group gets together outside as they get our tables set.

We had one long table for all to sit together.  Alas, we still couldn't hear each other talk!

Me and the smokin' hot Mrs. on the tables!  Opa!

The group watches a short slide show I made of Amy through the years.

This was how we found them when we picked them up from the Bergherms'.

A successful change into pajamas, they were still asleep when we arrived home.  Yes!

Duncan and I rode 50 miles around Lake Apopka Sunday morning.

Sunday afternoon we attended a birthday party for friend and neighbor Gabriella Ottati, who turned 4.

The party was held at a gymnastics/cheerleading facility in Apopka.
The hanging rope was very popular with the kids.

They also had a bouncy house obstacle course inside!

Kohl working on his arm strength.

Mommy helps Maddy on her forward roll.

A lot of kids, big and small!

He wanted cereal so he went to get himself a bowl...

Met up with Jennifer to pick some blueberries with some of her crew.

It was a pretty hot day.

Braelyn helping to harvest some snow peas!

Kohl finally gets his new bike!  

Maddy crying about something Kohl did...or didn't do.

And, of course,  the same thing for Kohl later on that day.

Exploring the car while waiting to pick up big sister.

Garden Update:

Our snow peas.

Second tier has edamame, eggplant, lettuce, and kale.

Food:

Pan seared Tilapia with Roasted Blueberry Sauce on Beet Greens.

Randoms:

A glorious sunset over Lake Apopka.

On my way to ride early Sabbath morning, saw the moon and Venus hanging out together.

My stats on Sunday's ride around Lake Apopka.

We've had some intense storms this week.  Caught this picture mid lightning flash in the clouds.

Brae's note to the tooth fairy regarding her lost tooth!

Was passed by this Fisker Karma on the 429.   Only 2500 were made before production was halted,
because this electric car sells for $103,000, but it costs the company $600K to make.  Um...?

Quotes:

• We were driving out of the neighborhood and Maddy notices the STOP sign:

           Maddy:  "Daddy, I know how to spell stop:  P-O-T-S.  Stop.

           Hmmm....

• Driving to pick up Braelyn in the van, Kohlden starts whining and complaining in the backseat about losing his marker:

          Me:  "What happened Buddy?"

          Kohl:  "I dropped my marker..."

          Me:  "Well, where is it?"

          Kohl:  "It's behind my seat in the back of the van."

          Me:  "Well, I'm driving so I can't get it right now..."

          Maddy:  [to Kohl]  "Yeah, he doesn't have long hands."

Big sister reads the bedtime story, sore arm and all!

Have a great weekend!