School Pictures

Here are Elle and Brooks' school pictures for this year. For those of you who are blog veterans, you may remember last year's picture. I can't beleive how much Brooks has changed in a year! Our friend and very talented photographer, Katie Meehan, does the pictures at their school each year. It will be a sad day when Elle starts Kindergarten next year and has to go back to the traditional school pictures! There are a couple of them on Katie's website, also...www.katiemeehan.com.

Vol fans unite!

For those of you who could care less about college football, or who are sick of hearing me talk about the VOLS then feel free to quit reading! I got an email today, though, that I know a few of you will enjoy. Orlando has an awesome UT alumni association that always meets at JB's Sports Bar to watch games together...especially the small untelevised games that only a true Vol cares about. Last weekend's game was not one of those, however! Jay and I rarely go, simply to avoid the kids spending the day in a bar...but when we have made it out, it's always a good time! Here is an email that I received today regarding last weekend's game at JB's. Maybe some of you will find a bit of sympathy in your heart for the UT fans that are stuck in Florida!

"Jake Vest was correct when he said "BEING A V0L IN FLORIDA IS LIKE BEING A BAPTIST IN BAGHDAD". This was never more evident than last Saturday's game with Kentucky .

In a game to decide the SEC East Championship and in the closing minutes of one of the most thrilling games of the college season --- CBS leaves the Kentucky/Tennessee "barn burner" to show a Gator/FSU snooze fest. No wonder CBS ratings have been declining for years. In addition to blunders, i.e. Dan Rather & Katie Couric, their taste in sports entertainment is appalling.

However, never count out the spirit and ingenuity of VOL fans. After our crowd at JB's recovered from the initial shock of CBS stupidity (a split screen would have been nice), and after futile attempts by Bert & Tony Fortunado to find another TV channel, the VOL "can do" spirit took over. Cell phones were utilized to call out of state fans to get play by play information and updates were announced to the group.

Then someone discovered that radio station 1510 was broadcasting the game. TO THE PARKING LOT!!! Car doors open wide, radios blaring the game, fans anxiously listening as the station fades in and out, Kentucky scores -- silence, VOLS score -- horns start blowing, 4 OVERTIMES, VOLS WIN, TENNESSEE SEC EAST CHAMPIONS!!! ON TO ATLANTA !!!

Congratulations to the team and the coaches. It was a game to be remembered, especially if you were part of the UT Central FL Parking Lot Alumni Chapter."

We would like to personally thank Jason Hammonds for being our designated phone commentator for the end of the game. And thanks to Robin for letting him be on the phone with Jay for an hour and a half!!
GO VOLS!

Atlanta here we come!

Well, the Vols won the SEC East by the skin of their teeth and are headed to Atlanta to meet LSU in the SEC Championship. Tonight's game against Kentucky was one of the most stressful we've watched in a while. Especially since in Orlando, with 5 minutes left in the fourth quarter, CBS switched over to the Florida/Florida State game and we had to get play-by-plays over the phone for the end of the fourth quarter and all FOUR overtimes! We are thankful for the win and excited about next weekend! GO VOLS!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have a tradition of doing Thanksgiving dinner every year with our good friends and neighbors, The Parkers. It's always a great time....lots of food, football, and kids! Our "Florida family" has grown quite a bit since the tradition began four Thanksgivings ago! After dinner our other good friends and neighbors, The Harris', joined us all as well. However, nothing beats being with family during the holidays and we missed you all! Here's a pic of our gang. (Please excuse the Alabama football parafanalia all over the room...we like them anyway)

Santa Clause came to town

It's officially Christmas time in Orlando. Every year Santa makes a grand entrance at the Millenia Mall the weekend before Thanksgiving to kick off the holiday season. He arrives on the roof of the mall as you can see in the picture. Then makes his way down into the crowds. It's a lot of fun for the kids with music, dancing, cookies and cocoa, snow, and of course Santa. He always brings Mrs. Clause along as well as some elves, reindeer and other interesting characters. Brooks is still terrified of anyone in costume, so he attached himself to my hip, but Elle had a great time mingling with her North Pole friends. This year my friend Laurie and I took all the kids, so the other children that you may not know in the pictures are Elle's good buddy Riley, and Brooks' girlfriends Reese and Reagan.

Easton Update

I haven't posted any pictures of Elle and Brooks' cousin, Easton, in a while and wanted to include a new picture of the big boy! He is a doll. We miss him so much and wish we were closer to play and watch him grow!

I would also like to announce that a miracle has occurred....my sister updated her blog!! So, for more pictures of Easton check our their site in the links!