SI's Sportsman Of The Year

3 Years, 35 Weeks.

"To me, he's the greatest of all time."

                                                                    -- Tom Brady, on Peyton Manning.

                                                                        NFL Network interview, 2011

I'm not biased or anything, but I was euphoric when I learned that Sports Illustrated had given the 2013 award for Sportsman of the Year to our quarterback, Peyton Manning.

And deservedly so.

Not only has he amassed countless NFL records throughout his entire career; he continues to do so even after a serious injury that required 4 neck surgeries just 3 years ago.  And even then he persevered and showed us that his best is yet to come.

But it's the man behind the athlete that I've been impressed by; his passion for his charities and giving back to the community, so much so that even St. Vincent Children's Hospital in Indianapolis renamed themselves Peyton Manning Children's Hospital, operated by St. Vincent.  His ability to reach out and help organizations around the community, most of the time without public knowledge or media scrutiny, is something he and his wife Ashley continue to do in their new city, inspiring others and winning the hearts of many.

So, where am I going with this?

Nowhere.

I just needed a topic for this week's post and thought I'd share.  :)



Here was our week:

• Sabbath Tangie took the kids to church and Sabbath school, attending a potluck lunch there to celebrate the birth of Jesus for the twins' Beginners Sabbath School class.  I needed a break away from the kids, a time out rather ~ sometimes you just need some peace and quiet, so I stayed home and overdosed on some classical music and caught up on some stuff.   I did join them that evening, for some holiday festivities, as we took to Mt. Dora for their Christmas lights and ice sledding.  We had never been up there during this time of the year, and they know how to do lights right! We walked around the quaint downtown area, having sushi and Thai for dinner and stopping by the local ice cream shop for dessert.  We totally messed up though, on our way home, as we didn't realize we'd be getting back so late, and forgot to bring pajamas for them to change in.  Of course, waking them up and trying to get them into their pajamas upon arrival ended up being a little more work for us and TORTURE for them!  Lesson learned: never leave home without pajamas.

I'm the king of the world!

Whoops, Madelyn...

With pal Zoe Alvarenga at the potluck.

Kohl and a friend at the manger scene.

She wanted the cupcake.  Could you say no to those eyes?

Panoramic scenery of the sledding hill and surrounding lights.

Lights, lights everywhere!

They really did a great job lighting up all the trees in the area.

Enjoying dessert at the ice cream shop.

And...we're out!

• Sunday morning started with a brunch birthday party for our neighbors the Ottati's, their daughter Alexa celebrating her 2nd birthday.  We had the usual suspects there, the parents enjoying chatter while the kids engaged in the bouncy house and adjacent trampoline.  Catherine, who is just several weeks since having their 3rd child, outdid herself and created quite the spread, it was amazing!  Afterwards I took the kids out for a few hours in the afternoon while Tangie stayed home and caught up on some things for work.  Brae needed new sneakers for gym class, and then we swung by Barnes and Noble to look at some books, trying to avoid being trampled by all the holiday shoppers out buying presents.  A quick stop to the playground, we headed home just in time for a mommy/daughter date for Tangie and Brae.  She surprised her by going to the Amway Center downtown for her first ever live concert, The Fresh Beat Band!  Brae was stunned, and so excited! They had gotten dressed with some bling and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and it was a nice bonding time for them.  Next up, Taylor Swift!

They decided to run/bike to the birthday party.  I love that we live so close!

Loving the trampoline.

The spread.

Enjoying their fill of brunch.

Maddy trying to figure out whose baby this is.

The Ottati family celebrating.  Alexa is the one in the middle.

That's one way to clear up the debris!  I love how Kohl is diving to get away from the leaf blower!

Some reading time at Barnes and Noble.

Doing her thing on the monkey bars.

The ladies all ready for their night out.

Fresh Beat Band concert at the Amway Center.

Thumbs up!  Having a great time.

Meanwhile, Maddy peels an orange...

• The rest of our week:

Waiting for big sister to finish gymnastics rehearsal.  Love this guy's sense of style!

Testing out their new matching booster seats!

Sharing a pear noodle with Daddy.

More back seat shenanigans!

Late afternoon bike ride.

Quick trip to Park Ave in Winter Park to surprise

Miss Jennifer for her open house at Sassafras Sweet Shoppe!

Sampling some of Miss Jennifer's tasty treats!

Supporting our friend and personal cake maker!

Make your own pizza night.

Anxiously awaiting Santa Claus via Ocoee Police and Fire Departments.

Food:

Grilled Chicken and Roasted Vegetables in Broth.

The pizzas came out looking like pies!

Randoms:

Mmmm....feet....

Can barely see it, but Jupiter in the sky at sunset.

I'd say a very Merry Christmas for a couple of chaps!

Quotes:

• We were driving out of the Publix parking lot for home when the twins recognized the homely looking cart girl that collects all the carts and brings them back into the store:

          Maddy:  "Hey, there's that guy!"

          Kohl:  "Yeah, the one with the dots on her face!"

          Maddy:  "You mean moles?"

          Kohl:  "Yeah...I have a mole on my bottom..."

          

          Seriously dude?

5 days and counting!

Have a great weekend!

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!