Ok, since NOVEMBER we have been looking for a Wii. In this area, shipments come in all the time...you just never know when, where, or how many there will be. If you don't know someone in the store, you don't get to have a Wii. They sell so fast, a store can have 15 at 7:00am and 0 by 9:00 am. It's just a little crazy!
Doug and I have look around for awhile (obviously) and just haven't been able to find one. Well, yesterday on my birthday, Irene said - "they'll have it today, it's your birthday." Well, she was right. Wal-Mart had one! Yeah! We snapped it up, grabbed an extra WiiMote so we would have 2, and headed to the casa. Doug didn't get a chance to install last night, so I did it this morning. It was REALLY easy - much easier than I thought it would be. Now, as I type, Taylor and his friend JD are in the living room playing bowling. LOL! It's just too funny.
Well, enough of this, I've got a Mii also, so now I'm going to kick the boys off and play something! :)
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Grandma Irene is coming!
We're pretty excited here in the Wittig house, Doug's mom is coming to visit! Yeay! We have been really excited waiting for her to get here, and today is the day! She and Doug's dad Greg were going to come down in March, but then Greg got sick, and they didn't get to make it. It was so unfortunate because we lost Greg a short time later. We will miss his addition to the trip.
This is Irene's first trip down in several years, and her first trip to the new house ever! We have several things planned that we would like to do with her, and hopefully we'll come up with some more things while she's here.
The only bummer about the trip is that Doug and I are still in summer school, and the girls will be at marching band practice a whole lot. We'll work around those things of course, but I will be unhappy every time I have to stop what we're doing to go get something done for class. Doug has even more than me! Ick!
I'm sure pictures of our escapades will accompany more posts in the future... :)
This is Irene's first trip down in several years, and her first trip to the new house ever! We have several things planned that we would like to do with her, and hopefully we'll come up with some more things while she's here.
The only bummer about the trip is that Doug and I are still in summer school, and the girls will be at marching band practice a whole lot. We'll work around those things of course, but I will be unhappy every time I have to stop what we're doing to go get something done for class. Doug has even more than me! Ick!
I'm sure pictures of our escapades will accompany more posts in the future... :)
Friday, July 25, 2008
SUPERCHARGED!
There is some necessary background before you check out the rest of this post. If you skip this part and go straight to pictures/videos you will think most people on a cruise ship need psychotic medication. REALLY!!
Well, that's not true (I'm sure some do). Here's what happens on a cruise dinner. The Matre 'D is in charge of all the dinner preparations. That's not just how the dining room is set up, or the silverware and dishes, but which waitstaff cover which table, the order of tables in the service line, and - really quite importantly - the dinner entertainment. Usually, right after our meal, we would get coffee and dessert. At that time, entertainment would begin. We learned after the first few days, that we really needed to bring our camera and get some of this on video - it was great!
Our Matre' D's name was Joseph. His self proclaimed title was "Joseph, your supercharged Matre' d". And let me tell you - he was SUPERCHARGED. He was hysterical. He was everywhere, all the time. He talked to you like he knew you, made you feel right at home, and was so funny and nice. He was the best part of dinner.
This is me with Joseph (can you tell I'm a bit sunburned?). Another catch phrase he used right before the performance was to begin was "iiiiiiiiiiiiiiit's aaaaaaa Showtime!" He had an accent that was somewhere between his native Croatia, and his adopted Canada. It was great.
Well, that's not true (I'm sure some do). Here's what happens on a cruise dinner. The Matre 'D is in charge of all the dinner preparations. That's not just how the dining room is set up, or the silverware and dishes, but which waitstaff cover which table, the order of tables in the service line, and - really quite importantly - the dinner entertainment. Usually, right after our meal, we would get coffee and dessert. At that time, entertainment would begin. We learned after the first few days, that we really needed to bring our camera and get some of this on video - it was great!
Our Matre' D's name was Joseph. His self proclaimed title was "Joseph, your supercharged Matre' d". And let me tell you - he was SUPERCHARGED. He was hysterical. He was everywhere, all the time. He talked to you like he knew you, made you feel right at home, and was so funny and nice. He was the best part of dinner.
This is me with Joseph (can you tell I'm a bit sunburned?). Another catch phrase he used right before the performance was to begin was "iiiiiiiiiiiiiiit's aaaaaaa Showtime!" He had an accent that was somewhere between his native Croatia, and his adopted Canada. It was great.
This is the "Amore" video. Here, Joseph has the entire wait-staff sing the Amore' song. Please understand the there is almost no staff on the ship that is actually American. There are more accents on that boat than there are sticks of deodorant - no, really! Some of them don't speak English very well at all, but others are quite fluent. The ones that don't speak it as well are usually the ones that help the head waiters in the dining room. They ALL participate in the performances though. Even if they have to read it off pieces of paper so they can try to say all the words. (No, seriously, they did that - it was so great.) This was great...
Here is the SUPERCHARGED video. You will understand how we needed to film these. Nobody would believe me if I just told them the stories - or they would think I was exaggerating. Well I'm NOT! This is Joseph, at his finest. We missed several earlier opportunities for great film because we didn't have our camera, or didn't remember to bring it. It was so fun! We told Joseph that he would probably end up on U-Tube. He laughed and said "too late". As I suspected, he's already there! The last night at dinner, you have the option to tip the Matre' d. As you might suspect, Joseph was well tipped by us, and I'm guessing several others. The dining room sat about 700. There were 2 dinners, early and late. If 1/2 the people tipped $10...He made about $7000 for the week. Not a bad haul, but he earned it! Our ship actually scored a 100 on the inspection by the US FDA...for the 3rd time in a row! Makes you feel warm and fuzzy to know your food is in good hands...
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Grandpa Scared us!
Ok, back in March my dad had a health scare. Since we think he's the coolest thing since sliced bread, we made a quick trip back home to visit. We waited a few days until he was feeling better, but then we went. He was looking good and feeling chipper when we got there...See?
He was a nurse's favorite because he was well behaved and nice - not always what you get from people when you're in the hospital. It surely didn't hurt that my mom made cookies for the nurses and anybody else that came by - she's an amazing cook - that will keep the nurses happy!
Dad got to come home the day we had to leave. We were glad to see him back in his "habitat" before we left. Here's daddy and the baby (yes, I'm the baby. I know it, own it, embrace it, whatever - it's me) This is in my old bedroom, that is now the study... Daddy can work when I used to spend so much time...Wonder if he planned that... lol
Here's mom and dad together. She was pretty tired when he finally got to come back home, I think he was in better shape than she was at that point. A few good nights of rest, and having daddy back sure helped!
The gang's all here. This was right before we left, and the kids were as goofy and humanly possible. Such silly children. Grandma and grandpa didn't mind though (good thing!)
I was glad to go visit, just not crazy about the reason we were there. The kids got to go back while Doug and I were on vacation, but I haven't made it yet...hopefully soon.
He was a nurse's favorite because he was well behaved and nice - not always what you get from people when you're in the hospital. It surely didn't hurt that my mom made cookies for the nurses and anybody else that came by - she's an amazing cook - that will keep the nurses happy!
Dad got to come home the day we had to leave. We were glad to see him back in his "habitat" before we left. Here's daddy and the baby (yes, I'm the baby. I know it, own it, embrace it, whatever - it's me) This is in my old bedroom, that is now the study... Daddy can work when I used to spend so much time...Wonder if he planned that... lol
Here's mom and dad together. She was pretty tired when he finally got to come back home, I think he was in better shape than she was at that point. A few good nights of rest, and having daddy back sure helped!
The gang's all here. This was right before we left, and the kids were as goofy and humanly possible. Such silly children. Grandma and grandpa didn't mind though (good thing!)
I was glad to go visit, just not crazy about the reason we were there. The kids got to go back while Doug and I were on vacation, but I haven't made it yet...hopefully soon.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Cruise Pictures
They really have quite the racket going on the cruise lines. They have photo opportunities ALL OVER THE PLACE!!! In fact, it's hard to get by WITHOUT having your picture made sometimes. We never had before, but one night we actually got in line for these things - get this - on purpose! Yes, I know, SUCKER!
Anyway, the pictures turned out quite good, and we actually bought 2 of them...for $22.00 each of course...like I said - they have quite the racket going. At least they were 8 X 10...
We are supposed to look like we're outside, but trust me on this - we're not! The guy who did this background was a sucker for "attitude" poses. I didn't pose that way just cause I wanted to! :) Yeah, it was fun - plus Doug smiled - a real smile even!
Ok, if I didn't look so chubby, this would be even better, but I do like the picture anyway. It actually looks like light is coming in a window just off to the side, but we were no where near a window when this was taken - plus it was like 10:15 at night...
We really had fun, and the pics turned out pretty good. I can send one to anybody who wants a copy (yes Melissa, this is aimed at you - since you are usually the only one who reads my silly blog) :)
Anyway, the pictures turned out quite good, and we actually bought 2 of them...for $22.00 each of course...like I said - they have quite the racket going. At least they were 8 X 10...
We are supposed to look like we're outside, but trust me on this - we're not! The guy who did this background was a sucker for "attitude" poses. I didn't pose that way just cause I wanted to! :) Yeah, it was fun - plus Doug smiled - a real smile even!
Ok, if I didn't look so chubby, this would be even better, but I do like the picture anyway. It actually looks like light is coming in a window just off to the side, but we were no where near a window when this was taken - plus it was like 10:15 at night...
We really had fun, and the pics turned out pretty good. I can send one to anybody who wants a copy (yes Melissa, this is aimed at you - since you are usually the only one who reads my silly blog) :)
That takes the cake!
One of the band fundraisers the girls got to participate in earlier this year was the cake auction. Well, you know me, so I can't do normal stuff. Instead of a cake, we did the cupcake thing, and turned the cupcakes into a flower. It turned out pretty good. Of course, I had to buy a cake while I was there, and guess which one I bought...yup-our own! It cost me $15 to leave with the same cake I went up there with! Crazy, I know...
The girls had fun coloring the vanilla icing to be whatever color they decided. I think it took longer to decide which colors to use than to actually decorate the cupcakes!
The few that didn't "fit" into the flower sure tasted yummy!
The girls had fun coloring the vanilla icing to be whatever color they decided. I think it took longer to decide which colors to use than to actually decorate the cupcakes!
The few that didn't "fit" into the flower sure tasted yummy!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
For the love of my friend...
Ok, there are a couple of reasons for doing this post. Both of them are Melissa's fault. (lol!)
First, my friend, you asked about pictures of me. Well here they are - most of them anyway!
Second, I felt bad about you being blinded by the SFOT shirts every time you pulled up the site! They are BRIGHT! (not enough capital letters, bold letters, italic letters, etc. to do that statement justice)
So here we go!
We are on the 3rd deck, waiting for dinner to start (we had the 8:00 pm dinner) and Doug offered to take a couple's picture. Afterward, they offered to take ours, and here it is. Pretty good actually - Doug almost smiled! :)
Behind that door we are in front of is the walkway on the ship - it was really windy right then, so we were waiting inside - out of the gale force winds (ok, slight exaggeration)
On St. Thomas, while we were waiting for our turn to do the helmet dive, I got to pet a nurse shark. Their skin feels very different from the sting rays and dolphins. Those guys are soft and smooth. The shark almost feels like a wet snake. It's skin is very rough - like a loofah I guess. Not super pleasant, but the shark was well behaved - I left with all my fingers in tact!
Guess where I'm at here? When you get off the boat, there's the pier to walk down, and then your in St. Maarten. Right after you get into this area, there's this sign. Yes we had to wait in line to get the shots.
Do you know why St. Maarten is spelled with two "A"s? Well it was settled by pirates...
(Insert pirate voice here "ah, ye scurvy dogs! We're in St. Maarten" - It's funnier on the boat...)
We wanted a sunset picture, but where the sun was, the wind was also - so we settled for a "dusk" picture instead. Not bad, helps hide my face! lol!
Here's one of our animal friends. He's borrowed my sunglasses, so he looks mega-cool. LOL! Our steward was always leaving cute animals, the monkey is just one of my all-time favorites!
Ok, there ya have it folks. Pics of me. Ick. jk. I'd rather look at other stuff later, that's why I usually don't get pics of me - I can see myself anytime!
First, my friend, you asked about pictures of me. Well here they are - most of them anyway!
Second, I felt bad about you being blinded by the SFOT shirts every time you pulled up the site! They are BRIGHT! (not enough capital letters, bold letters, italic letters, etc. to do that statement justice)
So here we go!
We are on the 3rd deck, waiting for dinner to start (we had the 8:00 pm dinner) and Doug offered to take a couple's picture. Afterward, they offered to take ours, and here it is. Pretty good actually - Doug almost smiled! :)
Behind that door we are in front of is the walkway on the ship - it was really windy right then, so we were waiting inside - out of the gale force winds (ok, slight exaggeration)
On St. Thomas, while we were waiting for our turn to do the helmet dive, I got to pet a nurse shark. Their skin feels very different from the sting rays and dolphins. Those guys are soft and smooth. The shark almost feels like a wet snake. It's skin is very rough - like a loofah I guess. Not super pleasant, but the shark was well behaved - I left with all my fingers in tact!
Guess where I'm at here? When you get off the boat, there's the pier to walk down, and then your in St. Maarten. Right after you get into this area, there's this sign. Yes we had to wait in line to get the shots.
Do you know why St. Maarten is spelled with two "A"s? Well it was settled by pirates...
(Insert pirate voice here "ah, ye scurvy dogs! We're in St. Maarten" - It's funnier on the boat...)
We wanted a sunset picture, but where the sun was, the wind was also - so we settled for a "dusk" picture instead. Not bad, helps hide my face! lol!
Here's one of our animal friends. He's borrowed my sunglasses, so he looks mega-cool. LOL! Our steward was always leaving cute animals, the monkey is just one of my all-time favorites!
Ok, there ya have it folks. Pics of me. Ick. jk. I'd rather look at other stuff later, that's why I usually don't get pics of me - I can see myself anytime!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Electric Youth
Ok for those of you around in the days of Debbie Gibson, the title will give you a giggle. If that's not you, trust me, there's a double meaning there, and it's kinda funny.
Anyway, the girls are working for 6 Flags now, and though you might not believe it, these pictures do not do justice to the electric yellow color that these shirts are. It's almost beyond amazing that they managed to get that color - it reflects off things! it glows! it's just a little creepy actually...
Lydia is doing her signature "thumbs up" pose, and Melody is just being swallowed by her clothes... lol
This may be one of the most "normal" pics I have of the girls - if you don't count the electric yellow shirts...
Ok, back to goofy.
Anyway, the girls are working 5 days a week. Between 4 and 6 hours per day. They can work up to 7 hours in a day, but they haven't pulled a shift that long yet. They are enjoying work, they have an AC where they work which is nice. They already know lots of people, and they're getting a regular paycheck! Nice! They will be able to work weekends durring marching band to keep their hand in - then they can still work holidays and such - it will be much easier to pay for the band trip this year... Yeah!
Ok, those of you who were around in the days of Debbie Gibson will get a giggle out of the title, the rest of you, just trust me - kinda funny...
Anyway, the girls are working for 6 Flags now, and though you might not believe it, these pictures do not do justice to the electric yellow color that these shirts are. It's almost beyond amazing that they managed to get that color - it reflects off things! it glows! it's just a little creepy actually...
Lydia is doing her signature "thumbs up" pose, and Melody is just being swallowed by her clothes... lol
This may be one of the most "normal" pics I have of the girls - if you don't count the electric yellow shirts...
Ok, back to goofy.
Anyway, the girls are working 5 days a week. Between 4 and 6 hours per day. They can work up to 7 hours in a day, but they haven't pulled a shift that long yet. They are enjoying work, they have an AC where they work which is nice. They already know lots of people, and they're getting a regular paycheck! Nice! They will be able to work weekends durring marching band to keep their hand in - then they can still work holidays and such - it will be much easier to pay for the band trip this year... Yeah!
Ok, those of you who were around in the days of Debbie Gibson will get a giggle out of the title, the rest of you, just trust me - kinda funny...
Friday, July 18, 2008
Home of the Texas Rangers
Doug took Taylor to a Ranger's baseball game. The team that he played for, the Astro's, all got tickets and went to see the "big boys" play. Taylor had a blast, and since the Ranger's lost, Doug enjoyed it too...
Hard to see, but Taylor's the one in the middle...lol
They're getting ready to get moving after a short rain delay...
He's got an earsplitting grin!
Look at the big boys go!
This is the look of awe as you watch a major league game. If you can't tell he was totally into this, look at this picture again! He loved it!
Doug did a great job sitting through a Rangers game - had it been the Yankee's he would have been much happier, but they did have a good time.
Hard to see, but Taylor's the one in the middle...lol
They're getting ready to get moving after a short rain delay...
He's got an earsplitting grin!
Look at the big boys go!
This is the look of awe as you watch a major league game. If you can't tell he was totally into this, look at this picture again! He loved it!
Doug did a great job sitting through a Rangers game - had it been the Yankee's he would have been much happier, but they did have a good time.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Creepy crawlies
Here's Doug by his new best friend. There were all these lizards just roaming around in St. Thomas when we went to the helmet dive. We had fun watching them...
Believe it or not, it was about a 1.5 foot jump up onto the ledge, and he hopped up there like it was no big deal. We saw them climbing a tree and everything. Very cool.
I usually have to wait forever for it to happen, but this time I knew my pictures had been downloaded to the computer quickly when I turned it on and this was my new background. Very funny Doug!
If the video works like it should, you'll see Doug following around the lizards. He had a really good time doing that... They were really cool.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The funnest place to play
Ok, this was the funnest place to play in the whole house. When we were at John and Melissa's, Caroline was really excited about the dog's cage. She would go in, shut the door, come out, shut the door, rinse and repeat - lol! It was so funny, we got some pics!
Addison didn't care if they were in there together, it was funny how she was willing to share!
I need to learn how to put the pictures where I want them, rather than the random scattering that I have here...
Vacation
Ok, no pics yet, but here's a rundown of our fabulous vacation.
Friday - took the kids to the airport to ship them off to mom and dad.
Saturday - up at 3:00 am...ugh... flew to Orlando, on the ship, eating, set sail, very cool.
Sunday - Nassau - Played with the Dolphin, caught Doug kissing a girl named Michelle (dolphin-lol)
Monday - Fun day at sea - lounged - loved it
Tuesday - St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. Got to ride a skyride up a very huge hill or small mountain and look at the view, also got to do a "helmet dive". They put a helmet on you that is hooked up to an oxygen line - the you walk around a trail underwater. VERY COOL. You just couldn't bend over, you had to squat down and look or air would whoosh out the back and water would sneak in...
Wednesday - St. Maarten - Got to snuba and snorkel. Way fun. It's neat to get to go down under water with the regulator, but not have to carry the air canister on your back. Also got a new ring - .8 carats of Tanzanite, and .3 diamonds - set in white gold. I like it! :)
Thursday - Fun day at sea - sun, pool, lounge around. Yeah!
Friday - Same as Thursday - Yeah!
Saturday - back in port - come home (Had to take a mid-term - yuck, at least I didn't have to do it on the cruise!)
Sunday - go get kids from my parents - met half-way in Abilene. Did homework that was due Sunday.
As you can see, very busy! It was also amazing fun!
Friday - took the kids to the airport to ship them off to mom and dad.
Saturday - up at 3:00 am...ugh... flew to Orlando, on the ship, eating, set sail, very cool.
Sunday - Nassau - Played with the Dolphin, caught Doug kissing a girl named Michelle (dolphin-lol)
Monday - Fun day at sea - lounged - loved it
Tuesday - St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. Got to ride a skyride up a very huge hill or small mountain and look at the view, also got to do a "helmet dive". They put a helmet on you that is hooked up to an oxygen line - the you walk around a trail underwater. VERY COOL. You just couldn't bend over, you had to squat down and look or air would whoosh out the back and water would sneak in...
Wednesday - St. Maarten - Got to snuba and snorkel. Way fun. It's neat to get to go down under water with the regulator, but not have to carry the air canister on your back. Also got a new ring - .8 carats of Tanzanite, and .3 diamonds - set in white gold. I like it! :)
Thursday - Fun day at sea - sun, pool, lounge around. Yeah!
Friday - Same as Thursday - Yeah!
Saturday - back in port - come home (Had to take a mid-term - yuck, at least I didn't have to do it on the cruise!)
Sunday - go get kids from my parents - met half-way in Abilene. Did homework that was due Sunday.
As you can see, very busy! It was also amazing fun!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Band Banquet
Lydia is in Seafoam
Melody is in Royal Blue
Ok, I have pictures now, and I want to get to posting! Here's the subject for this one: Band Banquet. The girls had a great time picking out dresses. We went to the Six Flags Mall, and hit the Dillard's Outlet. Man! They have some really cute stuff there! I followed the girls around, made a few suggestions, a few veto's, and a few grey hairs! LOL!
They were purchasing their own outfits, and they did so great! Lydia got an $80 dress for $11, and a pair of shoes for $8. (ish) It was such a good deal! Then Melody got a $180 dress for $25, and some shoes for about $12. Crazy I know. At such great prices, you would think they looked like they were wearing hefty bags and yarn, but it was really cute. The theme was Casino Royal (Yes, a "Bond" theme - very classy). They had so much fun that night, and Lydia won a door prize - $25 gift card to Wal-Mart! Who doesn't love a little wally-world?
Yeah! Pictures!
Ok, it's taken awhile...but Doug loaded pictures in my computer! Yeah! Now I can blog about cute things that happened and attach pics. There will be several posts starting NEXT week... However, here's a pic I've really been waiting for....
Melissa and me at Doug's New Year's Eve game in Amarillo, Tx! December 31, 2007... It was SO FUN! We even let John and all the kids come :)
Yea! Pictures!
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