Jamaica update-Finally!!

So we've been back a week. I'm sure those of you who check this site have been wondering where the pictures are. I've been busy. It's hard taking a week off work. I am finally caught up. I figured the least I could do was get all those papers (I had the kids do when I was gone) checked and returned.

The trip was great. We were a bit worried with the security scare at Metro that things would be a bit hairy at the airport. We got there in plenty of time; it only took 30 minutes to get checked in and through security.



There were a few cloudy/rainy days when we were there, but compared to the cold spell in Michigan we did OK. We still had three days where we did nothing but lay by the pool. The ocean was choppy the entire week we were there so we weren't able to snorkel or scuba dive (that was a bit disappointing)


We did go zip-lining. Holy Cow. It was awesome. I'm not a big fan of heights, so being tethered to a rope and asked to jump off a platform was a bit scary. There was one line that was completely vertical. Yes, that means we jumped straight down.

With Dan and I waking up early and the boys staying up late we definitely got our money's worth. For the boys the best part of the trip was open bar and unlimited food.

I know that the trip was a success when I heard Nate telling one of his friends how great it was and everything we did. We are very blessed that we are in a position to do this for our family.

Who knows, the next time we do this there may be girlfriends, wives, or even grandchildren in the picture.

Christmas 2009

What a great day-lots of laughing, fabulous food, and gifts galore. The little boys LOVED "Santa". As Santa left the basement, both of the little boys were waiving goodbye to him-so sweet! There were so many gifts on the floor it seemed like an obstacle course. As the night wore on many of the adults started playing with the little ones' toys. I guess everyone is really a kid at heart.

Bowling Green vs Idaho

We were at Al and Sarah's house watching the Bowling Green/Idaho game when Dan and Sarah decided to bet. Dan took Bowling Green; Sarah took Idaho. Loser gives winner a foot massage. With 20 some seconds left BG took the lead. It seemed like Dan had the win in the bag-so much so-that Sarah began collecting the needed supplies: tongs from the kitchen, cheese grater, gloves, etc. But with 4 seconds left Idaho scored and decided to go for two to win the game. Dan should know better than to bet against Sarah. He NEVER comes out a winner. Notice in the pictures the gloves on Sarah's hands and the kitchen utensils next to Dan

Random memories

Here are some random things I remember from being a little girl around the holidays.

Looking for the first star so we could go to Grandma Ozog's house

Eating so much on Christmas Eve that I got sick that night - sorry Mom and Dad

Going to Midnight Mass at St. Florians and feeling special because we had reserved seats.

Making sure I ate an odd number of dishes

Thinking that other families were odd because they ate meat on Christmas Eve.

Singing Christmas Carols in Polish while my cousin played the accordion

Driving to Utica on Christmas Day and thinking it was on an other planet

Having 7 layer cake that was made just for me

Going house-to-house and not driving with my parents to any houses

Eating so many Oplatki that the corners of my mouth would bleed

Having Grandma Roden spend the night and wondering how she slept with all those bobbie pins in her hair

Leaving a shot and a beer for Santa

Waiting in the car on Christmas Eve, for Mom and Dad, and pretending we were driving to Florida

Looking at all the Christmas cards on my Grandma's kitchen wall and thinking how cool it was that they always had one from the Governor

Going to get my ears pierced at the office in the midst of a snow storm-thanks Mom

Having an ice rink in the yard

Pics from Thanksgiving

Time has gotten away from me. Here are a few pics from Thanksgiving. FYI-the chocolate cake actually weighs 7 lbs.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Well the countdown has begun. Tomorrow is our last day of school for the year, the boys are home,the Christmas cards are in the mail and the tree is up. I guess it really is almost Christmas.

As I was putting the tree up Dan and I both realized that we have a kid tree. Most of our ornaments are little boy ornaments. While one part of me is ready for a more sophisticated tree there is another part that wants to keep the kid tree. We'll see which side wins out.

How can you not like this? Thanks Mom