How I spent my summer vacation

Just in case anyone still checks in, here's the quick and dirty. We are moving to the money pit this week-end, so get out the eraser and change the house number on our address to 2881. I will have a new phone number when I get organized there, but in the meantime cells will do, there is also Bill's business and fax lines.
Needless to say I have spent the greater portion of my summer painting, moving little stuff and buying lottery tickets. We did take one quick trip to the space center, finally, we've only been in Fl 6 yrs. It was interesting, we went the day after the 40th anniversary of the 1st walk on the moon, didn't get any free cake, but the staff was still pumped, nice.
I have been watching for news from Wisconsin, I know a bunch of you went to Jerry's a couple weeks ago, didn't anyone take pictures? Get with it folks!

News from Dewitt

So nobody has been updating here. I thought since I actually had something to add, I would post but I'm not sure if anyone checks this blog anymore...

Zack got his latest new belt in karate on Friday night-the double red. It is the last belt before the adult black belt, which they predict will be testing for in November or so. He also competed in a ju jitsu tournament this past weekend in Niagara Falls and came home with some medals. He had fun and went up against some tough competition. Also, he's kinda skinny and some of those boys are pretty big! His age group was 15-20 and he just turned 15 in April so he was probably the youngest in his grouping. Anyway, he did well and got a bronze medal in the fighting (there were 4 competitors). He also got a gold in weapons (he uses a bo staff) but he was the only competitor in the tournament who did weapons in his age group for some reason.

I added the picture above is Zack sparring with a friend of his to get ready for the tournament. We only took video of the tournament and I haven't figured out how to load that on here-yeah I know there's an icon but it won't work for me!!

Anyway, I hope everyone is well and enjoying summer, now that it is finally here!!!

Anyone out there still looking at this site???
Bob got a new pontoon boat. I think there's some fishing that's going to get done this summer

I keep looking to see if there is any news about the trip to DC. I'd love to hear all about it!

Setting the record straight/The Original Missy

Bob and Missy

You guessed it. We now have an authentic peeing and pooping machine at the Vanderwerken house. Good thing she's cute! Bob's been very busy with the training and the inevitable clean-up.

She's catching on but looks like it might be a long haul.

She's still pretty young. Her birthday was October 24th. Doesn't that mean that she's about 2 in people years?

Christmas Photos

I hope everyone had a Merry christmas! Here are some Christmas photos!

CHRISTMAS IN PARADISE 2008

Happy Holidays!
I hope everyone had a great Christmas, that Santa was good to you all and that you are looking forward to 2009. I am!
We had a very nice Christmas, Jess and Howie were unable to join us as Howie and thier dog, Chad, were feeling punk! We were joined by Bill's sister Carolyn, her husband Jerry and Bill's dad. It was a nice day, but most of my pictures did not turn out, I guess the lighting was poor on the lanai. We did have an unxpected guest, I'm attaching a picture, and also Jess wanted all to know that her mother contributed to her substance problems, self explainatory via photo.
If Matt or Jim is out there reading, I am in need of a geek, I cannot seem to upload the contents of my IPOD to my new computer... itunes transferred all my purchased stuff, but what about the other 300 songs, what's the secret? help!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas Card

In case anyone is reading here who either I don't have the right e-mail for or for some reason didn't get the e-mail with our website/Christmas card for 2008: here is the link to our Christmas card. We decided not to mail out cards this year, so click here: Maher X mas card

Merry Christmas! Please post pictures and tell us about the holidays here on the blog!

Kate and Dan at mom's birthday party. Kate's the short one!

Finally, I (sort of) figured out this photo and blog stuff. Mom had a great time at her 93rd! We gathered at the community room at Conifer. We had some great food and even better company. Several people came from church including Father Finnigan. John and Kay came in from Oswego. Dickie and his new wife Darlene joined the celebration. Dickie was in the middle of painting his new home. He was going to be moving in a few days after the party.

Post Thanksgiving Non-news

OK Family!
There's been a birthday/going away party for GG, a variety of Thanksgiving get togethers and who knows how many other events that no one is writing about. Can we please get it together? Yeah, yeah, every one's busy, so what...take a couple caffeine tabs and start communicating, it doesn't have to be a Hallmark moment for your family to want to hear about it. So get with it!
As for me in sunny Florida, Thanksgiving was nice, Jessie (Denny) Ormsby, husband Howie and dog, Chad joined Bill, Jess, and I for the outdoor kitchen christening where Bill deep fried his first turkey, all went very well, no NASA style fowl this time.
It's been chilly in Florida, I've actually been wearing a sweatshirt for the last few evenings...brr... Probably a good thing since I would not have known the thermostat was broken had we had not had this cold spell, that might have proved disastrous if I found out after Bill's dad or GG got here, since we only turn it on about three times a year, and generally just long enough to take the chill out of the air...so once again we will be at Loews on a Saturday morning, throwing more $$ down this black hole we can't sell. Who knew?
Ah well, no pictures this time as I have a new computer and haven't added all the software and attachments yet, perhaps next time.
If anyone out there knows how I wipe out the hard drive on my old computer I'd sure like the info, I would like to use it as a school back up, but not with all my personal stuff in there...so if there's techie out there, fill me in. Till next time, somebody else better post soon!

Molly using my camera

Molly being fashionable at her birthday party

cody at competition - he came in 2nd

The George's - life in the fast lane!

Hello- I am going to attempt to upload some photo's while taking a quick lunch. To summarize our busy-hectic life.......
- Cody is skateboarding as much as possible. He has entered in a bunch of competitions this summer and placed in all but one. He is seeking to get "sponsored". he has had a local store called Sticker Mafia, that has been giving him free t-shirts and stickers. All very cool. He's the same Cody but with longer hair and much, much taller. I think this month he has gained another inch. We can thank his ENORMOUS appetite for that. I sometimes think Danny Wegman will go on a cruise thanks to us! ha ha
- Molly has just learned to ride her bike with no training wheels! This is huge for the girl who trips and falls while just walking! We are very proud of her. So far, only one skinned elbow. She also is sporting off her new earrings and is more into fashion than any girl should be! I swear we don't have the same dna sometimes! :) Molly loves to help clean the dishes, she loves to dust and clean windows....and yet, she hides ho ho wrappers and dirty underwear under he bed. She is so funny. While watching the diving competition last week she asked us "how come those boys are wearing girls underpants in the pool!" We could not stop cracking up!
- Me I started another new job last month. I am still selling digital marketing and advertising to car dealers only not for a specific web site. I am selling paid - search, and owner digital marketing. I find it a little scary how 'big brother-ish" the internet actually is. Two kids and two dogs keepsChris and I VERY busy. HOWEVER, we are finding time September 6 to go see Jimmy Buffett in Boston. As most of you know, I am a huge fan and never seem to make time to go and I just decided to go for it!
- Chris Well, Chris is still a saint for putting up with me. He has had to hold down the fort for three weeks on his own while I was in various cities training. He has decided that there is a ton of stuff to do in our house and seriously thinks we need a cleaning service! ha ha It's always funny how the husband's perspective changes when they have so much to do when we are away!

The money pit, we call home is still draining us! We can't seem to catch a break. I keep wondering if perhaps lighting will strike while we aren't home and we can get lucky. Friends tell me the guy who lived here (who is deceased) clearly does not like us! I think I agree!

I will attemp to upload some pics now! I hope everyone takes care and I would love to see and hear about the Wisconsin trip. Any Jeschke's out there with some photo's????????????

Molly does a little quilting!

Molly came over today. She wanted to try some sewing. She decided on a house block-she wanted to make a fabric "picture" for her mom! She did a great job!

M

Vacation in Rocky Point Mexico

June, 08.

Meeting new friends. Celebrating Tyler's 14th Birthday. Leonard eating something raw and fresh from the ocean!!!!!

May 08. Tyler getting ready for 8th grade dance. Friends talked him into going at 3:30. Dress clothes were bought by 4:30. Dance at 6:00!!!! He had more fun than he'll admit.

Where is everyone?

I thought this blog would be bursting with vacation news from all the family travelers. Humph, I'm disappointed, get with it girls...and boys.
Things are still hot in paradise, but that's OK, lots of reading and indoor things to do...still seems weird that indoor projects prevail in the summer, but I'll get used to it.
I talked to Jane yesterday, reminded her that GG will need another pedicure... actually she is probably overdue already...she really enjoyed it last time and Jane is reluctant since it's not something she does herself. So if any of you are considering gussying (poetic license, deal) up your feet for summer I know GG would love the bonding experience as the two of you went off to the nail salon. Don't ask tell!
I am off to paint the kitchen in the money pit. Since the market is dead here we have taken this house off the market for a few weeks, a bit of a breather for Bill and I, also means that a new kitchen down there is further off than we thought, so with trusty brush in hand I painted walls, tiles, cabinets, drawers....ventilation fan and fridge will get done too...what the heck? Jess has been a doll about painting the rest of the rooms, this one is a real family effort. If I can I'll send a before picture, trust me the avocado green and harvest gold combo had seen better days.
Somebody needs to post news!