Merry Christmas to me!!!

What a great Christmas. I got so many presents and had so much fun.

I think my favorite present was my new bed. Don't I look comfortable?

I got a new Gator collar, just in time for the National Championship game! Go Gators and Go Auburn! I also got a bunch of treats. When I sit really cute like this, I usually end up getting one.

After Christmas in Alabama, we drove to Jacksonville with cousin Caroline and cousin Olivia. Don't I look comfortable?

I had a great time with my cousins. There was never a dull moment.

I didn't get to go to the zoo with everyone, but I heard they saw lots of monkeys like these 4.

Here is another one of those monkeys.

Then we went to the lake and did a little fishing. Jason caught one. Olivia caught 4 including this one.

Chad caught one too. Wasn't it huge?

We even got to do a little horseback riding (the kids, not me).

I hope all of your Christmas' were as good as mine.

Popes Farm with the Home Group

We went to Popes Farm last Sunday with the home group. Chrissy got her picture taken with Santa for the 1st time ever. There is nothing better for getting you in the Christmas spirit than a hay ride, bonfire, and hot chocolate with friends.

The group and Santa

Andrew, Mitch, Jawan, Luke, Jennifer, and Amelia

Elizabeth, Chrissy, Chad, and Seth (with a really bad hat)

Happy Birthday Luke!!!!!!!!

Luke is now 1 years old! Doesn't he look excited?

Tina in Florida?

Tina, you fat lard, come get some DINNER!... Tina, eat. Eat your FOOD!

UF-FSU

Saturday, we visited Tallahassee. So much fun. I think this picture says it all.

Chrissy and JD

I'll show you the beginning and the end. You'll have to get Chrissy fill you in on what happened in the middle.

Chrissy and JD begin their journey:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLoqwNsq_wg

The return of Chrissy and JD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGzmZzEN09w

Thanksgiving Fun

Me and Chrissy had a great time this Thanksgiving. We did a good bit of traveling as well. We drove to Jacksonville on Tuesday.

We went to Gainesville on Wednesday (Chrissy's future home?). It was freezing. I don't remember it ever being that cold.

Got to go to the swamp and the O-dome. Do you see what it says on top of the O-dome?

Went to Orange Park, Florida to visit friends Wednesday night.

Spent time with the family for Thanksgiving. Did a little fishin.

Went to St. Augustine on Friday. Chrissy rode a donkey for her first and probably her last time; more to come when I figure out how to download video to blogger.

Saw the Christmas tree lighting on the river in Jacksonville with some friends.

I'll write about Saturday and Sunday later. They are both worthy of their own blog.

Fun times, but I'm glad to be home

Matsuzaka?

Due to popular demand (thanks Abbie), I'd like to talk a little baseball. I guess I should start by giving my opinion of the Matsuzaka situation. For those of you who don't know, the Seibu Lions from Japan have a hotshot pitcher who some project would be an ace on any team in the major leagues. Obviously, they wouldn't want to release him from his contract unless they were paid bigtime. Seibu decided they would have a closed bid for all major league teams to see who was willing to offer the most money for the rights to negotiate with him. Everyone was expecting the Yankees to come in with the highest bid but surprisingly, the Sox were highest bidder. They bid 51.1 million when the next highest was 42 million. If they can't come to terms with the Mat, he will stay with the Lions and the Sox don't have to pay a thing. AAAAAAND, the bad guys can't pick him up either. If they come to terms, they will pay the Lions the 51.1 million and pay a salary of probably around 10 mil a year. It seems at first glance that this is a terrible idea, but there are other factors:

1. As I said before, the Yankees can't get him.
2. Some say that Japan is the new Dominican Republic (Look at the best players in the game today, and see how many are from the Dominican). It might be a big market in the future.
3. He was lights out in the World Baseball Classic. He's already prooven he can be clutch without throwing an MLB pitch.

I think it might be a bit much to pay for him, but maybe it will work out. I wouldn't say the Sox have made the best moves in the last few years. Beckett hasn't met expectations. They traded Hanley Ramirez (a potential allstar). I'm starting to wonder if the 04 Series was just fate, not front office intelligence.

Things to look forward too: Schilling is still there, Papelbon should be a starter, we still have a guy named Wily Mo. Only 5 more months until baseball season starts again.

Until then, Go Pats, Go Jags, Go Gators, and as always, GO SOX!!!

Chrissy's new wheels

After months of discussion and debate, we finally decided on a vehicle. Meet Lester, the Highlander. How did we get the name Lester? I just made it up. Lets see how long it takes for Chrissy to read this and change the name.

Reunion 06

Yep,

Its that time again. The McLeod Family Reunion was held last weekend. Highlights:

1. Watching the Clemson GT game with the family.

2. The horse auction. They had the guy that talks real fast and everything.

3. Chrissy getting to see my chin for the first time (see pictures below).

4. Getting in a wreck a few days before, and the other guy's insurance company renting us a Toyota Rav4 to take to the reunion. The good thing about that is that its one of the vehicles Chrissy is thinking about buying, so she's had a chance to drive it for a while.

5. Reeeeeeeeeeally good food.

I'm watching game 5 of the World Series. Detroit's up 2-1, but I don't know if they'll be able to hold the lead. Its a sad time when baseball is almost over. Atleast there is still football to fall back on. Anyways, on with the pics:

Pumpkin Patch

Saturday was a great day. Chad's parent's and Nana came up to visit and so did Caroline and Olivia. The men went and did their own thing and us girls went to the pumpkin patch. We road on a hay ride and went through the pumpkin maze. The girls picked out 2 pumpkins a piece and later decorated them while I had to do a little work at the church. I meant to pick out a pumpkin for our porch but I couldn't decide which one I wnated (I'm not creative enough to decorate it like the girls did). I think that Chad needs to go with me and help me out. I think that everyone had a good time, I know I did. It's weird but I have never been to a pumpkin patch until last year when Jawan took me, I don't think that I had even heard of one before. Do all towns have one?

Brian's Birthday

This past Sunday was Brian's birthday, so Chad, Maggie and I went up to Oxford for the celebration. Friday night we went to eat with one of my best friends Carolyn. We had a great time hangning out and talking. That night Chad and Dad went to play tennis, big surprise there. Saturday Mom and I made a pound cake for Brian's birthday cake and Chad and Dad went and played tennis again. Dad grilled out some steaks and we all had a great lunch. We also watched the Florida game, go Gators! Guess what Chad and Dad did after that? You guessed it, they went to play tennis again but this time I got to go with them.

Reunion.

It's hard to believe that it has been 10 years since high school, but it has and last weekend was my reunion. It only feels like it's been a year or two (except for all of the kids everyone has, Chad and I are really behind). Chad has had a fun time teasing me about how old I am. Friday night we went to my high school's football game. I had a great time seeing everyone especially Abbie and Gina. I wished the game could have lasted longer so I would have had more time to see everyone. Chad and I had to miss the dinner Saturday night, but I did get a chance to hang out with Abbie and Marla afterwards. Well on to the pictures.

Here is Abbie and her daughter Zoe.















Here is Gina.















Here is Marla and Abbie.















And here is a cute picture of Chad and Maggie.

The Dog Days of Summer

Saturdays are usually the best days of the week since both Chad and Chrissy are home to play with me. Not so today. Chrissy has had a cold and laid around the house all day. Chad hasn't played with me much either. He was too busy watching football. Then they went to see a movie (Lady in the Water (Not worth the price of admission (even at the $1.50 movie (It was weird and the people in front of them wouldn't stop talking (Chad told me all about it when he got home (I'm using too many parentheses (I'm going to stop now))))))). I'm not going to be all negative though. There were a few good things that happened. Like I got to go on a walk, and I got to go for a short ride in the truck to the grocery store. Well, gotta go. Chrissy is making banana pudding and she's been known to drop a few crumbs from time to time.

The Things You Here.....

The things you here when you're around youngsters. We had an 80th birthday surprise party for my grandmother. It was a special time for our family. Here are some quotes from my nieces and nephews and one by a parent:

"Owen, Don't hit Uncle Chad in the ding dong"

"Mommy, when I think about that picture of your big butt, I can't stop laughing"

"Mommy, do I have to play with the neighbors? They're really weird."

"I may not be the smarted kid in my class, but I am the most fabulous."

I'm not convinced I will enjoy parenthood, but I sure will be entertained.

The Birthday Girl

The most fabulous kid in the class

The Big One Year Anniversary

I just have to tell you that I have a wonderful husband in case any of you did not already know that. Chad planned our entire anniversary weekend and kept it a secret from me until the night before the trip. He lined up a sub for me on Friday and we took off to Atlanta (actually we went to Oxford first to drop off Maggie). That night we got all dressed up, Chad even wore a tie, and he took me to the Sun Dial. It is a great restaurant with a great view. It is on the 72nd floor of a hotel. We had an excellent view going up the glass elevator and at our table. If you look closely you can see the Braves game in the background, maybe that's why he chose to eat there. Saturday we went to The Cheesecake Factory for lunch, I love that place. That night we went to the Braves game, and even though they lost we still had a good time.

Savannah Day 5

Our last day in Savannah, kind of sad. I had class until 11:30. After class, we went to lunch and then walked around one last time. We then went to Jacksonville for my Grandfather's 50 year anniversary of being a pastor. I couldn't imagine doing something for 50 years. I've got 30 years until retirement and after that, I'm through. It must be wonderful to love your job so much, that you'd be willing to devote your life to it. Well, on to the pictures!!!

Chad and Saint Patrick

We found Luther, John Wesley, and Saint Patrick. We wanted a picture with Calvin, but the Presbyterian Church was closed.

Found that pretty girl in the park again

Papa J O at his 50th anniversary

Savannah Day 4

Had another good day seeing the sites. Don't feel like writing much so without further ado, on with the pictures:

John Wesley

Minister from the Church of England to the New World. Credited as the Father of the Methodist Church

Savannah's "Little Dig"

Some interesting engineering. They drilled into the soil using augers (big drills) about 90 feet down and filled the area with cement grout and H beams for reinforcement. Now they are excavating the soil and pumping the water out. They have excavated over 120,000 cubic yards of soil so far. What are they doing this for? When finished, it will be a large underground parking lot. A hotel will then be constructed above the garage. You can read more about it at http://www.theellisproject.com/

Michaelangelo

Not sure what Michaelangelo is doing in Savannah, but I guess it has something to do with Savannah's art school. This town has a surprising amount of culture, at least surprising to me.

The parks are beautiful downtown. There are many statues and fountains, like this one here.

Savannah Day 3

After a long day of boring class, we had a great evening together. We ate at Churchhill's Pub. Great environment, good food, bad red velvet cake. We then saw a few beautiful churches and walked through some parks. Still no rain!

I'm standing next to a painting of one of my heroes, Martin Luther

Pretty Girl in the park let me take her Picture