FLORIDA DAY 6

1. Liz was feeling much better today so she was able to go and see parts of the park that she missed the day before.
2. She was my buddy on a couple of roller coasters that rocked.
3. We headed out a little early today, leg-tired, sore feet, aching backs with slight head aches so we could go to Giordano's, a pizza chain based in Chicago, but having several locations in Orlando. The best deep dish pizza in the world.
4. Just realized I should have takena picture of that. Oh well.
5. We head out Wednesday morning for Tampa Bay.

FLORIDA DAY 5

1. Dawn, Will, Sean and I spent a day at Islands of Adventure, a park associated with Universal Studios. Liz spent the day at the hotel sick. I think she's doing better today.
2. Sean had his first amusement park ride today and seemed to really like it.
3. Will invited trouble by standing in the splash zone.
4. Will, Sean and I went to downtown DIsney to visit the Lego store. Will was happy.
5. Will's rushing me out the door, so I can't detail the day. See ya.

associated

FLORIDA DAY 4

1. We spent the day at Universal Studios.
2. Woke up Monday morning and Liz is not feeling well at all. She may spend most of the day in the hotel room. Bummer.

FLORIDA DAY 3

1. Left Atlanta bound for Orlando.
2. Made it in 8 hours.
3. Checked in to hotel.
4. Ate at IHOP
5. Went to a mall. Looks like the economy has even hit this area, based on the number of vacant stores in the mall. Though, the outlet centers around town seem well shopped.
6. Drove around a little more looking for a grocery store. I think the city planners believe everyone will eat out every meal. We couldn't find one for quite awhile.
7. Driving down International Drive, Liz commented she feltlike we were back in Hong Kong, with all the lights and glitter and such.
8. Was awaken at 3:00 am by our "neighbor" next door.
9. Hoping day four is a good day!

FLORIDA DAY 2

1. Got up, showered, ate breakfast, and went to get the tire fixed.
2. See picture from day 1.
3. Realized I should have posted the tire picture on day 2...oh well.
4. Kids really wanted to go to Target, so that was our first venture.
5. I took an hour to take part in a conference call for work, so we hung out at the mall and I sat near the food court.
6. Learned we are doing a book by Drew Brees.
7. Headed to an interesting Railroad/Civil War museum. I call it the Gramp and Granpa museum since my dad would love the civil war stuff and my dad-in-law would love the railroad stuff. I suspect they would both like all of it.
8. Bonus for me since I'm not really into railroads or civil war things is they had a traveling exhibit from National Geographic on photo history along with interesting photos that were shot during different time periods.
9. Had planned on seeing my youth pastor from 20 years ago, but his son came home sick, so we were unable to get together. Maybe on our ride home.
10. Went to a place called Sweet Tomoatoes for Dinner. Last time I ate there was in their Phoenix location. The kids were much younger.
11. Went to Borders and actually bought some books.
12. Sitting in the hotel room, and the boys have their jammies on.

FLORIDA DAY 1

1. Leave Wooster, Ohio for Atlanta, Ga.
2. Total travel time (including meals, pit stops, ect.)= 12 1/2 hours.
3. Google Maps said it would take just over 10 1/2.
4. Maybe getting a flat tire postponed our trip 1/2 hour.

Leasons learned:
a. I can change a flat pretty quick
b. Sean is a great traveler
c. I'm so tired of fast food.

SWAGGER WAGON

One of the benefits of my job is being provided a company car. At this point I'm driving a Toyota Sienna (my third one), and am waiting to turn this one in and get a new one. Having said that, I love the new commercial for the Sienna; and Dawn and I got a big laugh at the extended commercial posted on Youtube...seeing ourselves being portrayed brilliantly.
http://www.youtube.com/sienna
(click here)

OLD IS NEW

A few months ago on PBS I saw a show featuring a 'flea market' of sorts in New York City, where people hunt through bins of old photos to add to their collection. Some look for specific types of old photos. For example, people whose faces are in shadows, or, photos are from the WWII era. Some photos, like this one from my own family has a mystery man in it.Who is that man? Why is he in the photo? Is he related? Questions that will forever be unanswered.
People finding value in things deemed old seems to be the trend lately with shows like Pawn Stars and American Pickers on the History Channel being very popular. However, I wonder if most people think they have treasure when in fact they just have a lot of junk.

(By the way, the young boy on the far left is my grandpa Kelch).

SNOW DAY PART 2

You don't have to watch part one to watch part two, but you might as well.

SNOW DAY PART 1

"Dad and Mom, see what you're missing!"

SICKNESS

No new blogs since sickness has reigned in our house this week...well sort of. I've had a cold that keeps me at about 60%, but had to deal with it while on the road all week. I got home and Dawn's cold kicked in worse than mine. We were able to pull ourselves together to go and watch Will's basketball tournament.

SNOW STORM

I thought the storm would skirt by us, but no chance. Driving to and from the airport usually takes me 50 minutes at the most. Last night it was at least 1 1/2 hours. Slow going. As of Saturday afternoon, we're still waiting for the snow removal folks to come plow out our drive (association fees at work), though you can see by the photo below, they did plow the small street in front of the house.

LAMBEAU FIELD

While in Green Bay, I had some time before my appointment, so I stopped by Lambeau field-home of the Packers. I asked my customer later about the feelings the locals have for Brett Favre. 70% hate him, 30% are die hard fans who'll stick with him. Apparently the stadium has it's own Hall of Fame, which Brett is not a part of. But once he retires (anyone's guess), people will probably be more forgiving and let him in. We'll see.

BREAD

I love bread. It's been 35 years, but I can still conjure up the smell the bakery made in my grandparents small town in upper New York. Those were probably the days when bakeries could still provide a living to someone. But what do I know?

Lately, I've gotten into making some kind of bread product, like the pretzel rolls a few weeks ago, and this oatmeal bread loaf today. And I'm determined to make it by hand-no machine, no mixer, just my hands and muscles (thus I won't be making too many loafs at a time). I love the whole chemistry of the thing.


P.S. As a bonus, we topped off some of the slices with wine jelly...oh sooooo good.

WHAT'S IN THE BIBLE

If you have kids and loved Veggie Tales, check out this website. I am shamelessly making a plug for a new product from Tyndale House and the creator of Veggie Tales, Phil Vischer. I have a preview copy that Sean watches over and over and over....After watching the first episode myself, I believe many adults would benefit from watching this (it starts out with an overview of where and how we got our bible). Anyway, check it out.

http://whatsinthebible.com/2010/01/21/the-1000-challenge/

ORDINARY

I wish I had something to post, but I don't. Life is rather ordinary right now and I've not give thought to anything interesting. Let me get back to you.

MY THINKING TOO, DILBERT

WILL'S DAY

Tonight was a night I experienced a pride and happiness for my son who has worked hard at something that doesn't come all too naturally. If Will makes at least one free throw, he ties the game. But if he misses both...they lose. You'll see Will get's to shoot three times...reason being, after Will was given the ball by the ref, the opposing team players switched places before his shot, and apparently that is some kind of foul I was unaware of, so he was given two more shots.

ICE SCUPLTURES FROM CHINA

Here is a link to some impressive ice and snow sculptures in China.
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/01/harbin_ice_and_snow_sculpture.html

BRIEF UPDATE ON SEAN

1. Sean no longer needs the O2...at all.
2. His O2 registered at 88.
3. We don't go back for another visit until March at which time we will set up a time to have his fenestration closed.
4. I wasn't able to go with Dawn to the doctor this time, but the stories I hear about our doctor and the relationship he has with Sean continue to lead me to believe he's the best doctor in the world. As long as we live here in Ohio, Sean will see Dr. Lane, and if that is over the span of years, I think they will have a unique relationship.