My Birthday: Sam meets Abby Cadabby

Joseph, Sam, and I survived our trip to Florida. We had a great time visiting my dad and Karen, and saying a quick, "Hello", to my brother, Greg, and sister-in-law, Mary. Sam and I went to Busch Gardens, in Tampa, with my sister-in-law, Chris, nephew Ryan, his friend Cody, and niece, Taylor. We had an awesome day, despite being virtually elbow to elbow with the thousands of other people at the park. Sam particularly liked watching the Sesame Street characters dance and sing on stage. She even got to meet her favorite friend, Abby Cadabby. Joseph played a round of golf with my dad and Chris' dad while we fought the crowds at Busch Gardens. Joseph continued to work on getting his CME's before the deadline, Dec. 31, 2010 during the drip and shared some computer tips with my dad, in the process. Thanks Karen and Dad for a great trip. The weather sucked, but the company was great....As for Busch Gardens, we are definitely going back so Sam can have lunch with the whole Sesame Street gang.

For my birthday we got together for dinner with Matt, Chris, the kids, and my dad and Karen. Being with my family was fantastic.

Christmas Day 2010

Sam's new tent.

Sam with Tickle-Me-Elmo

The Princess in her Cozy Coupe

It has almost been one month since I last posted anything and my friend, Jess, is on my case about keeping it updated.... Gotta love Jess and her diligence with keeping her blog current. So, Christmas was fantastic. My day started out with a trip to Starbucks for a 1/2 caf, grande, nonfat, pumpkin spice latte, no whip and a piece of pumpkin bread. Not sure which was better, the fact that I got to drive somewhere without a child in the backseat, or the coffee. I love Sam, but it is nice to drive somewhere without having to deal with a carseat every now and then. Sam, Joseph, and I had Christmas dinner with our favorite neighbors, the Reids. Patti (mom-Reid) baked the two of us a carrot cake to celebrate our birthdays. Thanks to the Reids, Sam received her first set of wheels, a pink Cozy Coupe, make by Little Tykes. We are all very thankful for our family and friends and hope that everyone has a safe and healthy 2011. Thanks to all who mailed us Christmas Cards. We love all of them.

On a more serious note, my cousin, David, was in the hospital last week with a serious condition. Doctors have suggested a diagnosis of Hodgkins Lymphoma. He is waiting for a confirmed diagnosis, dependent on the results of many tests. I have always thought fondly of David and feel terrible about his pending diagnosis. I am glad he is out of the hospital and with his family. He is in my thoughts and prayers.

Enjoy the New Year and expect more posts over the next few weeks. We leave for Florida tomorrow to visit my family and will surely have lots to document.