Christmas in Tampa

2005

2006

This year, we plan on spending Christmas in Tampa. So, it will be like last year, Ho Ho HOT. We will open gifts in our long sleeved PJ's, then rush off to put on shorts and flip flops. Last year we were remodeling our "blue house", so this year, in keeping with tradition, we might have to paint a baseboard or something.

Lots of changes happened for us in the last year. We moved to Tampa on October 31, 2005. Warning: (Do not attempt this at home) Bought a house on December 8th and remodeled it in time to move in January 31st of 2006, that is 53 days, taking only 4 days off to rest during the remodel...

This summer, Bella and Lexie took swim lessons and both did very well. Bella was very quick to learn and is doing great with her skills. We swam at Thanksgiving at an indoor pool and she was still swimming as well as she was this summer. Lexie did awesome and was proving to be a fearless swimmer (jumping in and going under, swimming to the wall on her own)...but, lack of consistent practice created some fears in her. She will definitely need a "refresher" next summer. After that, we enrolled in Gymboree and took both music classes and gymnastics. They really loved the classes a lot.

This fall, Bella began preschool at St. James Methodist. A school that is pretty hard to get into, luckily, our timing was on the money. We attend church and Sunday school there as well. She is thriving in her class. Her teachers comment on her intelligence, fashion sense, manners and interactions with other students. They even went as far to say she is like the "prom queen" of her class.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, while big sis is in school, Lexie is in school as well...the Target training program. Many of the clerks know her by name and often comment on her vivacious personality and fashion sense. Sometimes even comment on her vocal skills (aka: tantrums)...She is learning and refining her home decor skills, while noting the latest fashion trends, taking chef notes, proper ordering at Starbucks, the difference between boobies and a bra, how to order prints from digital camera machines and lots more. She can personally lead you to the toy isle, the Jelly Belly isle and the Pizza Hut cafe.

Overall, we have all grown and learned so much on our journey here in Florida. We miss the southern hospitality of Texas but love the laid back feel of Florida. This past year has personally taught me a lot about myself, how important family is and how much my friendships mean to me.

My Mom has retired from her job and is about to celebrate her 1 year wedding anniversary with Kenny. My brother and Melanie had their first child, a beautiful little girl named Gabrielle. My Dad is newly engaged to be married to Ms. Pat. It has been a very productive year for all of us.

I want to thank all of you for your love and friendship. It has given me great comfort to know I have you as my friends, as my family. My hope for each of you is that you can also look back at this year and see how much you have grown. I especially hope that you like the progress you have made...