Long Time....No Posts!

WOW! I just looked at my blog and can hardly believe it has been 7 months since I have updated it! I am a Blog failure!

Yesterday was Labor Day and so everyone had the day off. Bret went to Orlando with Luke for the weekend and Taylor spent the day at Siesta Key beach with a bunch of his friends. That left Megan, Steve and I to hang out together. We decided to have a nice lunch, shop, see a movie and end the evening at California Pizza Kitchen. The only movie out there that we could take Megan to was "Julie/Julia. So we went to see that. I enjoyed the movie, Steve said it was OK but Megan was bored to tears! She must of gone out to get a drink, go to the bathroom, get popcorn, talk on her phone etc... 20 times. We ended the night meeting Kristy and her kiddos for dinner at California Pizza Kitchen. Bret and Luke surprised us by showing up at CPK. It was a wonderful day!

This past summer we went on our annual trip to Utah. This year was so much fun!
We started out the trip with a big family campout. The first night we had hamburgers to eat. That night at about 2 a.m. Megan came in and woke me up. She said she had just barfed! YUCK!! As it turns out she had soiled the only sleeping bag she had to sleep in. It was FREEZING and the only blanket I had was a child sized quilt. After freezing our toes off sitting out side while she finished up the barfing, I figured out that the only logical place for us to sleep the rest of the night was in the car. So Megan and I climbed into the front seat of our Toyota Camry Rental car. I threw the little quilt I had over the top of us. We tried to go back to sleep for an hour. Neither one of us could get warm enough to be comfortable so I turned on the car and let it heat us up. We both finally fell asleep. The next day Megan was fine! Thankfully non of the other cousins got sick. I am pretty sure it must of been food poisening. In spite of the rocky start we sure had a great time!

Wahington D.C. Trip

Yeah, I know we were just a little excited!


This week Steve and I went to Washington D.C. with our very dear friends the Waltons.
We had so much fun and the weather turned out perfect! We had weather that was more typical of May in D.C. It was nice to not have to worry about a heavy coat. We went to see the National Archives, American History Museum, walked up and down the "Mall", went to Pentagon City Mall, and saw all of the "Kristy" historical sights! We ate at Carlyles and it was so yummy!!! We had a great time! The kids stayed home with Bret and they all survived!!!

Wow! Where does the time go??

This is my new baby niece Aspen Holje. Isn't she gorgeous?

It is hard to believe it has been close to two months since I have been on here. Since I last posted I have spent 3 weeks in Utah and had my sister Mary and her family here for 8 days. It has been busy but so fun! enter the second semester stretch here is what is going on in the Short house. Both of my boys are currently un-attached. That's the first time that has happened in 2.5 years! Bret is working full time at the Tampa General and going to school full time. He is cutting back his hours starting next week. It is just way too hard! Taylor continues to challenge himself academically and athletically. Megan is dancing and in a play called "The little Princess". We are all busy with life. We are in the middle of having our pool refurbished and that "3 week project" has now stretched into it's third month. We are also refinancing our house. I can hardly believe interest rates are down in the 4's! Never thought I would see the day that happened. Life is good and we are all enjoying it.

Tonight was our annual gingerbread house decorating event! Last year Bret was away at school and didn't get to participate. It was so nice to have all three of my children sitting around the table again. They look forward to this every year. I know the day is coming when my children will be replaced by grand children for this tradition. I cherish these last few years when I get to have all three of mine enjoying time spent together. Of course I am pretty sure more of the candy ends up in their tummies than on their house but what would gingerbread house decorating be if you couldn't snack on the candy??? We are all so excited and counting down the days until we head to Utah for our annual Christmas visit. Hopefully lots of snow will await us!! (Sorry Kim)

Taylor has a birthday and Meg prepares for her play

This week has been so busy!! Taylor celebrated his 17th birthday. I can hardly believe that my baby boy is 17!!! That is just one short year away from being old enough to vote and the deadline for getting his Eagle! Seventeen years has just flown by and I am so grateful that Taylor is such a fine young man. He is such a joy in my life and I enjoy every precious minute I get to be around him! We threw him a surprise party (thanks to the help of Megan and Erika who did all the work....I just supplied the funds LOL!) I think he was really truly surprised! It was fun!


Meg has had her play dress rehersals this week. She is a Pirate princess in the play "Jolly Rogers and the Pirate Queen" She loves acting! Those of you that know her well will not be surprised!

I have been extra busy with all my usual volunteering but also because my very dear friend Kristy's brother was hit by a car on Oct. 8th and has been in the hospital ever since then. I saw him again today and he is doing so much better. It looks like he will be released this week. This brings all kinds of new problems as Kristy now has to juggle his needs with the needs of her children. She is really stressed and could use any prayers.

As I write this we in Florida are finally enjoying some jacket weather!!! YIPPEE!!
It feels so good to need to wear pants! It will only last a few days but I will enjoy it while it does.

TWILIGHT

Taylor and Erika before Homecoming

Last night was Homecoming. Taylor took his girlfriend Erika. They make such a beautiful couple! They had a great time!