The Adventures of The Merschmans

Happy New Year From Tampa

I want to wish everyone a Happy and HEALTHY 2009!!!!  Eddis has a wonderful New Year's Resolution...to get me in shape...because he is in the best of shape, I guess.

I also want to wish my brother, Billy, a very happy 41st birthday...

 

Yep, that looks like someone that can throw a baseball 90 miles an hour!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Billy, I love you...even though you tried to beat me up several times growing up....

Oh, remember all those good arguments we would have, Dad would be asleep and he would finally get up and yell at us in his "tighty whities".   Then, I would be so mad at you, you would ask me if your clothes matched, because you are colored-blind, of course, I would say you looked great and indeed your clothes matched.  I still can't believe you actually wore red shorts with a turquoise shirt (remember it was the 80's, guys wore every color)!!!  You look GGGGOOOOODDDD!!!!!

Beach Day

Today we went to Clearwater Beach, it was so nice.  I love the beach.  It was pre-game day at the beach.  We were having a great time, enjoying the Hawks when all of the sudden, Rachel says, "Colter is missing".  I thought I heard someone take him to the water.  Everyone was looking for him for about 10 minutes...it seemed a lot longer.  Yes, indeed, Rachel dad had taken him to the water.  Thank God.  Every parent knows those horrifying moments, especially, when, there is water near.  Poor Rachel. 

As we are packing up to leave the beach, somehow, someone, lost one of Amy's flip flops...still no sign of the flip flop!!!  I am sure some one-legged person is hopping around with a nice black flip flop.

We went to dinner, we are all now so full, we need to go to bed.  Fun day, Eddis of course, making everyone look at us because he is SO OBNOXIOUS!!!!

Pictures

 

This is the way Eddis drove around Fort Maddy, the lights were still on the top and tow bar was never taken off the front.

 

Pre-trip preparations.  Big Ed was mapping out the best route for us. 

 

The back of the Jeep.  With all the rain, believe me it didn't last long.

 

This is how Eddis wanted Teddy to ride to Florida. 

When MaryElizabeth saw this picture, all she was, "Dad, how embarrassing".

 

Tommy, reading....something about Buffalo gaining wings...we have heard quotes the last few days.

 

Eddis and waiting for our table of 9 at our favorite...P F. Changs.

 

The kids all waiting....

 

A little too much food....they could barely make it out.

Looks Like We Made It.....

YES....we made it!  Is it really a compliment when, Eddis tells me "how proud he is of me"!  WHAT?!  I did not complain one time, I did sleep more than anyone else, except maybe, MaryElizabeth.  Now, they are all complaining about what, where and when they eating dinner.  I am totally staying out of it.  If I just stay in my little world, everything will be fine. 

I have so many pictures to post but I am too tired, must have been all the sleep I got.... I will post those tomorrow.....PROMISE!!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

We just returned from a wonderful Christmas Eve celebration at my parents house.  We went to the children's vigil Mass at our church.  It is always wonderful.  Our little Nicholas was an alter server tonight.  I went back with him when we got to church, as he was putting his robe he looked at himself in the mirror and replied, "I look like an angel".  Yep, that's my Nicky, always thinking.  During Mass, the children's choir sang, it was simply lovely.  They sound so angelic.  Oh, I forgot to mention, the boiler was not working, it was FREEZING in church. 

Father Tim, wished our entire family, a very happy holiday season and for us to have safe travels.  He especially, (as he says, expecially) wished all the best to the Mendez family. 

As we were sitting around my parents family room this evening, I can't express how lucky we all are to have such a wonderful family.  My two grandmother's were there, how lucky is that....  I was able to chat with my uncle, he invited me and my girlfriends out to his ocean front home, this summer.  He knows me all too well.  I have a lot of pictures, I will post those later.  I have a lot of time in the RV the next few days to do those things. 

For now, I am getting ready for Santa to come.  Oh, the merriment that will take place tomorrow will be endless!

The BEST Christmas Gift.......EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Upon waking, with a huge smile on my face, I look at the clock....WHAT 10am!  I am so much to do today, I couldn't have slept until 10am.  Then I am quickly reminded why I was asleep until 10.  I have "goosebumps" just thinking about it. 

I had a dream, not just a dream, but an experience that I will not soon forget.  Amy, the boys, myself, and my kids, and Ashley, were all horse back riding in Heaven, yes, Heaven.  It was so beautiful.  We had the most wonderful time with Shelby and Shayne'.   I am so blessed with this wonderful Christmas gift. 

When I got out of bed I looked outside to a beautiful snow fall.  The trees are covered the snow is falling, it is simply beautiful. 

Now, my day begins.  I need to get bacon wrapped scallops and Eddis' Rx.  Thankfully, everything is wrapped, save the two things in Eddis' office.  We will do that tonight, they are both huge!  I am packed for Florida.  We are waiting to see the road conditions tomorrow, whether we take the RV to Fort Maddy or not.  I think, Eddis really wants to leave from here. 

It's NOT That We Forgot

 

HAPPY BE-LATED BIRTHDAY, EMMETT!!!!

MaryElizabeth says this is her favorite cousin.  She can't wait to receive all your hugs this week.  We love you buddy, hopefully (I'm sure) you had a great 1st birthday!!!!!

This Weather Has Me Stressed

I looked at the forecast and Eddis and I thinking the best day to travel may be Friday.  It is suppose to get really nasty and we don't want to be stuck in Iowa, while our Hawkeyes in the sunny state of Florida.  

I need to stay off the computer and get all my packing done today.  I just need to do it, get it done and take everything to the RV.

I am feeling a little better today, so that should help with my energy level.

I'm Sorry......BUT

I......

HATE THIS WEATHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday, Dec 28

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Periods of sun

Low: 55 °F

High: 78 °F

Monday, Dec 29

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Brilliant sunshine

Low: 53 °F

High: 77 °F

Tuesday, Dec 30

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Partial sunshine

Low: 50 °F

High: 76 °F

Wednesday, Dec 31

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Partial sunshine

Low: 51 °F

High: 76 °F

Thursday, Jan 1

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Mostly sunny

Low: 52 °F

High: 75 °F

Friday, Jan 2

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Sunny

Low: 53 °F

High: 77 °F

Saturday, Jan 3

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Mostly sunny

Low: 54 °F

High: 73 °F

Sunday, Jan 4

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Sunny

Low: 55 °F

High: 76 °F

Monday, Jan 5

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Brilliant sunshine

Low: 53 °F

High: 77 °F

 

This is where we are headed!!!!!!

 

 

 

More Randomness....

 

This was a MaryElizabeth's Christmas party.  I am so glad I there to take this picture.  I now have proof that I attend her classroom parties.  That is what prompted with "running away to grandma's" incident.  Can anyone guess what she is asking Santa for?

****************two hermit crabs***************

Hopefully, Santa has not heard of the "running away".

Nick and his peeps at their Christmas celebration...no Santa visit for the 6th graders.

 

Here is a picture of my with my BFF.  I know, I know, PLEASE don't judge me because I have nasty white appliances.  Hopefully, I will get all new stainless this year!!!