December catch-up

December was a very busy month for us and here are some of the things that kept us occupied...

9th: Leon's PAWS (Performing Arts Winter Showcase)

Madie played clarinet with the concert band. She only played in 2 pieces and the concert was 2 1/2 hours long. It was very good and Leon has a lot of talented kids. Kelly fell asleep during the performance.

13th - 14th: Thunderbolt's tournament

Michaela's travel team played in a tournament in Madison and we almost froze to death!!! It was so cold that the girls were really having a hard time hitting the ball. Michaela spent a lot of time playing 1st base and did a good job. The Thunderbolts did pretty well and they started the 2nd day in 3rd place but lost our playoff game and were out.

16th: Christmas Cafe

Kelly's 2nd grade class worked on their manners and how to behave when eating out. They enjoyed salad, baked spaghetti, bread and dessert. Some of us parents came to help out and acted like their waiters. The kids all looked so cute dressed up. Kelly spent several hours the night before picking out just the right clothes to wear and getting them ready. He was so excited about this special day in class.

19th: Girl Scout Christmas outing

Our little troop went to paint pottery at a cute little shop on Lake Ella (can't remember the name of it right now!) and then went for dessert at The Melting Pot. We shared two different kinds of chocolate fondue and ate till we were sick!!! Believe it or not neither Robin or I brought a camera to document the event!

20th: Busy day!

Jeff and I went Christmas shopping and Madie babysat the Hobert kids all day. Later that evening we went to Michaela's Thunderbolt's travel team's Christmas party. The girls (and the rest of us too) had lots of fun visiting, eating, dancing, and exchanging their Secret Santa gifts.

21st: SANTA!!!

We took the kids shopping and to see Santa. Kelly was the only one who would sit on Santa's lap this year and tell him what he wanted. The girls said they were too old! Afterwards we took the kids around the mall so that they could buy presents for each other.

24th: Christmas eve we drove around and looked at all of the wonderful lights, including the ones at Dorothy B. Oven Park...once again no camera. I know, I'm slipping!

25th: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

The kids were very patient and waited for Nana to drive in so that she could watch the kids open gifts (Abuelo was working). Of course then they had to eat some breakfast and take pictures in front of the tree so it was after 9am before we opened presents. Criminal!!! Madie got a Zune & Michaela and Kelly both got Nintendo DS's from Santa.

Later we went over to Grandma and Papa's for lunch (Nana came too) and then the kids opened presents there too.

Regiro Farms

Nana and Abuelo (aka Sandy and Andre) closed on 55 acres of land in Madison on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. On Friday morning we all traveled out there to check it out. It is very pretty but very overgrown. At one time it looks like it may have been farmed but has since been neglected and there is alot of scrub brush. The guys are looking forward to hunting there and have already planned out where they will put their tree stands. In the future they hope to build a house and have lots of plans for the property. They have named it Regiro Farms, which is Origer spelled backwards...incidental Andre thinks that may have been the original family name.

Moose and Oso really like the property too and had lots of fun playing fetch while we were there!

I am Thankful for...

...my wonderful husband who always puts me first, is very loving, and is a wonderful father to our kids.

...my oldest daughter Madie who has gotten me back into reading, is growing into a beautiful and thoughtful young woman and is a great help around the house.

...my middle daughter Michaela who thru her love of softball has gotten me into enjoying the sport, is thoughtful, loving and huggable.

...my youngest (he'd kill me if I said baby!) son Kelly who's dimples and smile could melt anybodies heart, is always making me laugh and is mama's little man.

...and for all of my family, friends, health, happiness and life. I have so much to be thankful for and wish the same for you and your family.

Happy Veteran's Day!

We met Nana, Grandma and Papa downtown to watch the Veteran's Day Parade. Madie was marching with the band so we all went to see her and to celebrate all of the men and women who risk their lives to defend our nation.

Rock Ranch

Jeff, Kelly, Michaela and I joined Kelly's Cub Scout pack at Rock Ranch the weekend of November 7th-9th. (Madie had to march in a game Friday night so she spent the weekend with Grandma and Papa...we missed having her with us.) We arrived after dark on Friday night and it was raining so we slept inside one of the Conestoga wagons. That was an adventure!

On Saturday we went over to the main part of the ranch for the "Family Fun Days". They had lots of things for the kids to do...corn box (yes, a box filled with dried corn...similar to a sand box...they thought it was cool!), bouncies, animal petting area, John Deere trikes (Jeff rode too!), corn cannon, family dodge ball, fishing, corn maze...it was a very full day!

That night we all snuggled into our tent...and froze! When we got up the grass was frozen. It got down into the 20's. Brrr! I woke up to chomp, chomp, chomp. I unzipped my tent door to peer outside and there were the cows eating their breakfast. Too cool. Of course I had to take some pictures of the cows.

It was a great weekend and the fall leaves were BEAUTIFUL!

Walking wih the Dinosaurs

We scored 3 free tickets to see "Walking with the Dinosaurs " at the Civic Center (Cheap seats were $29.50 a piece!!!). Although our seats were in the nose bleed section we still had an awesome time. Kelly, Madie and I went to see them together while Jeff took Michaela to her fall ball game (Yeah! They WON!!!)

The program was very educational and was very interesting. Kelly was completely enthralled ... Madie wished she was at home (teenagers!)

My favorites are the "long neckers",

Kelly's were the ones with the big heads,

and the crowed pleaser was T-Rex...he was loud and fierce.

Keel family Halloween Hot Dog Roast

It was another wonderful Keel family Halloween hot dog roast. The kids all dressed up, cooked hot dogs and roasted marshmallows and had lots of fun. The weather was beautiful and it was another successful party.

Michaela's Second Tournament

Michaela participated in her second travel team tournament this weekend. She had an awesome day of softball! Although we only won one of our three games the girls played their hearts out. Michaela got some great hits and made some wonderful catches...she played in both right and left field and second.

During our second game we were down for most of the game but started coming back and in the last inning of the game we tied it up...had the game winning run of 3rd...2 outs...and Michaela was up! She was facing a pitcher that she hadn't been able to get a hit off of (she throws hard but wild at times). I was out of my chair, rocking from side to side and biting my nails. She got 2 strikes on her and I was really getting nervous. Then she hit one out to right field and the girl had no chance to get it! She brought in the winning run!!! Way to go Michaela, we are so proud of you!!!

Happy Halloween!

TRICK OR TREAT!!

Michaela dressed up as a "Gangster" this year while Kelly dressed as "Dracula"...fangs and all! Madie had her first out of town football game and spent the evening on the bus to Panama City and at the game...too bad they lost.

We had lots of fun this year walking through a near-by neighborhood with a bunch of friends. Afterwards we ate the best Gumbo with them and then went home to get to bed...Michaela had a tournament to go to in the morning.

Band Festival

Madie's band competed in their first competition today. We went early to see several of the other bands play too. It was a great afternoon to watch the bands...sunny and in the 70's. Madie has been nervous about the festival for weeks and is glad that it is finally over. They were all worried about not getting a "Superior" rating...it would have been the schools first in over 50+ year....but they got their "SUPERIOR" rating and life is grand.

Way to go Leon!