Feelin the burn

Hey all!!! Hope you are all surviving 2009. Josh and I are in Cocoa Beach, Florida. We left Iowa Saturday January 10th, in the midst of a snow storm from the Moline airport. Arrived to the Orlando airport and 68 degrees.

We retrieved our bags and needed to go rent our car so we could drive the final 50 minutes to Cocoa. We rent from National Car Rental, and with the program Josh has we could choose up to a full size car. Well wouldn't you know it sitting in the row for a choice was a convertible, a 2009 chrylser sebring type car, I know the old lady convertible, but still. SO we made sure our suitcases would fit and we were on our way.

The minute we checked into our ocean view hotel room (we have a view of the Kennedy space center area), we quickly put on our flip flops to hit the moon lit beach. Then we decided we should eat. We ate at the hotel lounge where this dude who claimed to be a musician was performing. He was interesting and slightly entertaining. After supper we had to get back on the beach again, yeah we are tourists.

We woke up this morning and decided all we were going to do today was nothing!!! After eating the 2 for 1 breakfast special we rented some beach chairs and sat on the beach the whole day, it was 79 degrees. So we are a little lobster-fied. I know, I know, but we didn't come all this way to stay pastey white.

Late in the afternoon Josh's mom arrived, we hadn't seen her in a year, so we relaxed on the beach before we decided to all go to supper. We ate at this place where you could see the sunset, on the western side of town (cocoa is on the east coast of FL) the service was not so good, but we ended up getting there so early that we got in on the early bird special (you know this is an old people state) so that wasn't so bad. Then we tried to find some ice cream, cruising around in our old lady convertible, but settled on some dunkin donuts coffee.

Now before I write this next part, brace yourself it is a little bit of whining. I know you are all stuck in the frigid cold, and snow....but tomorrow it is supposed to be 66 and rainy. What to do in a beach town? Well how about a road trip....we are heading south to Jupiter or somewhere near there. It is supposed to be 76 and sunny.

So while waiting for tomorrow to come, Josh and I went to sit in the hot tub at the hotel. There were 2 guys in it as well, we chatted and found out they were from Ohio. They proceed to tell us of their bad flight down and how they almost had an emergency landing minutes after they departed. I asked what airline they traveled, and it was airtran, the same one we have to go back on. They said the wheel hub was loose on a wheel. I hate flying as it is, so maybe we will be back a little later than expected, I wonder what Josh thinks about driving back?

SO that is that, will blog you later, taters!

yikes...

It has been forever and a day since I last updated. Well let's see....New Years was pretty mellow for us. We ordered some Happy Joe's Taco pizza with the neighbor, then went for a drink at the Okoboji Grill, and then watched some stupid stunt guy on ESPN try to jump some stuff in Vegas, and rang in the new year on the couch. Exciting, let me tell you!!!

New Years Day, was the day for some Hawkeye football. The Hawkeyes were playing South Carolina in the Outback Bowl. We invited my parents over and the neighbor and had some tailgating types of foods. We cheered the Hawkeyes to a very convincing victory. That is the way to start a year.

In other exciting news I have been busy trying to complete a scrapbook for our wedding, I know I am a little behind. I guess I just get involved in way too many old lady craft projects.

Josh was busy manning the athletic department while most everyone went to Florida for the bowl game. He also has been busy officiating many basketball games.

Last weekend Josh and I went to visit Amb and Josh. We brought Kona, to meet Ed, their boxer. Wow, that was fun. They never sat and relaxed. They played the entire time, running around the house and the backyard. Kona thought it was fun to take Ed's toys aways from him. I also helped Amber get a jump start on the wedding planning, while the guys enjoyed some football.

I guess that brings me to about now. Just another week of work. Then Josh and I are taking off for Florida ourselves. I hope to do nothing but lounge around on the beach. We take too many vacations that involve too many activities, and you need to take a vacation when you come back. Hope this one is relaxing. Josh's mom is also going to come visit while we are there, margarita party time!!!

Merry Christmas

Christmas was low key for the Maske household. We all woke Thrusday morning, but did not rush to open presents, instead opted for coffee and breakfast. Oh how the times have changed.

We finally got all rounded up in the living room and started opening gifts. We all got great items. Some of those things include: Mom- new pants, slippers, kitchen items and a crockpot. Dad-socks, cork screw, sardines, and jeans. Amber - boot warmer, carhart bibs, purse, stocking hat, and socks. Josh - T-shirt, digital picture frame, gum, ties, and slippers. Me - digital picture frame, season 1 of lost, socks, slippers and a chia pet.

Once the presents were open, it was time to get the meal started. Dad of course dissappered. The rest of us prepared the green bean casserole, scalloped corn, crescent rolls, sweat potatoes, relish tray, mashed potatoes, and spiral ham. So once it was all prepared and cooked, we sat down to a nice meal. It was finished off with a pecan pie or a frozen mint chocolate pie.

We had a good time, a nice holiday, as always it goes by way to fast.

Stocking Stuffer

So with Christmas Eve winding down, and waiting for the McIlrath family to join us. I decided it was time to play a new game, "Stocking Stuffer" It was a spin on all kinds of games. After changing the rules, we decided that to play the game, you either draw an item from the stocking or you could take an item that another person has. The stocking was filled with an range of items. From candy to print cartridges, candles, pens, cheese danish's, you name it, it was in there. We had a great time.

We finished up the game, and no sooner the McIlrath's drove in. So we chatted and exchanged gifts. Then it was time for the annual photoshoot. I was wearing the world's most holidazzling sweater.

Update...

Well I have gotten behind in the blogging. The holidays really take it all out of you. Well to update you, Tuesday night was the midnight shopping extravaganza, however the weather was not the best, so Amber and McKenz did not join in on the fun. It was just me, Josh and Dad. We managed to hit all the stores before they closed. Dad's new favorite store is Gordman's, but he is mad at me cuz i would only let him stay a half an hour. Josh and I got home about 3 am, I stayed up to wrap all my gifts, and hit the bed at 5 am. Dad got home around 4.

On Christmas eve I slept to about 9:30, Josh was already outside shoveling snow. We then packed every inch of the car with gifts, food and the dogs and headed out to Plato. Josh decorated the Christmas tree, I made 2 batches of Chex Mix, we cleaned some veggies, made a pecan pie, and the potato soup. By the time we got around to taking a break, Amber and Josh showed up and the party was on.

In the meantime Dad had been putting together some beverages in the crock pot, while making oyster stew. One crockpot had a mulled cider/cranberry/orange concoction and the other was an alcoholic rendition of wassail, it was "good" er strong.

We all sat around drinkin and eating, it was 8:30 before we knew it, so we decided to open a gift or two.

Cold Enough?

Right now my computer says it is zero degrees. That is without the windchill. At least it is supposed to warm up into the 20's, which also means snow. It is Christmas so not going to complain, and I don't mind it. What I think is funny though is the people who do complain. We live in Iowa, it's December, it's winter, what do you expect to happen? Move to the equator I guess.

So do you all have your holiday shopping completed? I sure don't. This year as every year, the holidays have really snuck up from no where. At least I have the 23rd to shop, that is the midnight shopping extravaganza. For those of you who do not know, it has been tradition for many years now, ten years maybe, to go shopping for all hours on the 23rd. My dad, sister, Josh and McKenzie all pile into the car and hit all the shops before they close, usually starting with the one that closes first. Wal-Mart is open 24 hours, so is Hy-vee. The night usually ends after midnight. Last year was a snow storm, we were the only people out, so parking was no problem.

A little note about the picture with this post. We got the tree up and decorated, just before midnight one night. Being the night owl I am, I thought well we better take a picture while we have time. So I got the camera tripod out, and got things into place. Josh grabbed both dogs by the collar, then I pushed the automatic timer on the camera and raced in front of the tree, and grabbed Halen and then the flash went off. We went through this process before we had something decent, that is why Kona is licking and looking up. It was quite the photo shoot.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Today is mom's 39th birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!!