We hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween and doesn’t eat candy so much that you get a tummy ache!
Monthly Archives: October 2008
On Friday dad joined Mandy and Jim as they celebrated their wedding day. Mom and dad both think it is wonderful that Mandy and Jim have a strong connection to their faith. It is sure to strengthen the bonds of their marriage!
The bride got ready at Saddlebrook Resort and dad loved Mandy’s dress, shoes, and her hair accessory. She looked unique and classic at the same time.
The ceremony took place at St. Leo Abbey. Dad loved this church and the whole area around it. He wants our family to go to Mass there one Sunday.
Lange Farm is one of dad’s very favorite locations and he was happy to be back there for the couple’s second ceremony and reception. The second ceremony, held after dark on the lawn,was for more friends and family to attend and witness the couple’s vows. Doug Decker from Grant Hemond was the couple’s DJ and did a great job as usual. Guests who wanted to enjoy the beautiful October weather were able to go outside to a bonfire to roast marshmallows and make smores while listening to a guitarist play music.
Congratulations Mandy and Jim! We wish you the very best!
Last Thursday dad photographed an awesome wedding! When Laura and Justin first came to meet dad, we got to play with their adorable son who was a baby at the time. Dad thought they were a fantastic family and had been looking forward to their wedding. He was not disappointed!
The day began at the Grand Floridian where the bride got ready. Dad was amazed at how big the couple’s little boy was now! Mom thought his shoes were super cute. The bride was all smiles and looked so beautiful.
The ceremony took place at the Disney Wedding Pavilion. What a gorgeous location, outside and in! The love that Justin has for Laura was so apparent every time he looked at her.
Guests had a blast at the Coral Reef in The Living Seas restaurant where the couple had the reception. Dad said the bride, groom, and all their family and friends were wonderful people and he had such a terrific time sharing the day with them. Thanks so much to Laura and Justin! You are a fabulous couple!! Hope you enjoyed your Disney honeymoon!
If anyone has been trying to contact dad, his cell phone was SOMEHOW put into the dog water a couple days ago and is no longer working. He is on his way out now to get a replacement phone and will then be able to get all his calls.
In the meantime, as he makes the switch you might not be able to get through at all and will hear a message that the number is not working. Have no fear! His number is still 813-240-6611 and will be working again very soon! Thanks!
Update: He has his new phone and it is working already!
As October comes to an end, more people start to focus on the holidays to come. For many, that means starting the Christmas shopping! The catalog companies definitely know that and our mailbox has been full lately. Be sure you visit www.catalogchoice.org where you can help the environment by eliminated unwanted catalogs and mailings.
In our house, we’ve been checking the catalogs for the season’s new cool toys! Here are a few we’ve found:
Mom has a few issues with FAO Schwartz from the past, but their toys are really cute (all available on their website if there isn’t a store near you). All images of their toys are from their website.
Mom wants one of the Raggedy Ann Christmas Cloth Doll by Madame Alexander because she says it brings back memories.
They also have Raggedy Andy of course, as well as Strawberry Shortcake and Madeline.
Another cute doll is the Rubens Barn Original Anna Doll. How adorable is she with her freckles and glasses?!
We are of course more interested in their boy stuff. The Food Chain Friends is an awesome idea for a stuffed animal! You get 5 in one!
For people with a little more money to spend, the Make-My-Own Monster Custom Design Kit is the coolest toy in the catalog. The kid designs the monster, from what it looks like to its personality. It is then made into a plush monster with a hang-tag telling the monster’s story. How cool would it be to show off a monster that you designed!
Little Wonderlands has a toy that is going on our Christmas list! They have tons of wooden toys so it is fun to browse through their website. There we found the Barbarossa Pirate Ship and Pirate Crew and we told mom we loved it!
While you are on the website, be sure to check out the wooden treehouses too!
Kids loving having their names to decorate their stuff so Personal Creations has some good gift ideas too. We are into dinosaurs lately so we asked mom for the Dinosaur Big Belly Bank. It is almost 2 feet tall and eats your coins and stores them in its belly.
In our latest issue of Faith & Family magazine, they had an article with gift ideas. We were looking with mom and saw the Knights Castle and wanted it. It is offered by International Playthings and is a fold-out castle with a king, knights, and even a dragon! There is a hidden staircase and a drawbridge to play with too!
Those are some of the fun things we’ve seen as we flip through catalogs and visit toy store websites. I’m sure we’ll have more as the holidays get closer!