Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Some pics to go with...

There's Salty Dog on the left and "Minty" dog on the right! I've found that only Tim gets away with calling Christian, "Salty Dog."
M-I-C-K-E-Y...hottt!! All the heat, stress, and lines were worth this shot! "When do we get our ears???"
Not really gonna ask any questions here, just looks like a treasured Daddy/Daughter moment!
It wasn't as dark as it looks, but we stayed down by the ocean for as long as we could that night! It was gorgeous!

Friday, October 26, 2007

Sea World and the World of the Sea

Sea World according to Mallory:

Sea world was fun!!! I saw whales,turtles,and dolphins.My favrite was the shamu.

Sea World according to Mom:

Well worth the money spent. Before we left, I went online and found a deal-adults for the price of kids. Then when we got to Orlando, we found that you get an extra day FREE. So we got there in the afternoon on Wednesday-no lines, there was a cool breeze, and lots to see and do. The shows were phenominal. There were many opportunities to get up close and personal with the actors/performers. It way exceeded our expectations. Thursday morning we went back and saw everything we didn't see on Wednesday. Some lines that day, but well worth it!

The World of the Sea:

Tim just came up from the ocean and told us his job of tour guide was fulfilled-Dan caught a Blue Fish in the Ocean. Don't tell the DNR here! We woke up to rain and wind today, not prime fishing weather. I went down to take Christian to play and they were sitting in chairs, drinking coffee. Evidently there was a bit of a fiasco earlier with the line getting massively tangled in seaweed. Not good.

So our adventures continue. I am not so excited about coming home. Not that I don't miss the people in our lives, but going on vacation makes me realize how completely complex we have made our lives. It gives me plenty of time to reflect and think about how nice simple life is. I know, I know, that's not reality. I just am thankful for the time away and I say this everytime, but I really hope that I can come back and make some choices that allow our lives to be less stressful, less FULL, and more simple. Not sure what is going to make this trip different. The reality is that we get back, unpack, and get the kids to school 7:45 Monday morning and back to work, back to chaos. I just have to remember, I make it that way and I'm the only one who can make decisions to change that. Ahhhh...vacation.

Disney, Shuttle Launch, and Sea World, Oh My!

On Monday, we made our way to Disneyworld. We decided that the kids are on the verge of being too big for Magic Kingdom, so we thought it best to go now, then come back another time and go to the other parks. Here's the Disney summary of the day-kinda wished we would have gone in, gotten the photos with Mickey, went to the souvenir shop, baught the ears, and bailed. Between the massive heat, massive amounts of people, and massive long lines, it was not all it is cracked up to be. I'm sure we'll go back another time and go to a different park and we'll do things differently then. The kids delighted more in playing in the two pools than they did being dragged around all day!

Tuesday, we headed over to the coast to see the shuttle launch. It was not possible to get into Cape Canaveral, but we found a spot just across the Indian River and set up our picnic blanket, waited for the magic two minutes, and left. I video taped it and probably the coolest part was the sonic boom we heard, quite delayed because of where we were sitting. Mallory said it looked like whip cream (the water vapors it left in the clouds). Something we can add to our "Life Resume!" From there, we headed up the coast to Tim's for the afternoon. We all just played in the ocean and relaxed! Drove back to Orlando and tucked in.

Wednesday-decided to actually take it easy in the morning and go to Sea World in the afternoon. Here's our official Topel Family Review of Orlando: Sea World Rocks!! I'll tell you why a little later...

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Sunday on the Seashore

No photos to go with, but we are here in Ormond Beach, Florida and spending our Sunday morning catching sand crabs, throwing the net for fish (Dan's caught 2 so far) and hanging out with Tim Pulford.
We finally got on the road at about 9:00 pm on Friday. Our goal was 6:30, but between Dan's sinus infection and my poor time management skills...it was 9! I drove from Fort Atkinson all the way to Mt. Vernon (which is where we broke down last time on the way home), then kept going until about an hour out from Nashville, TN. (It was about 5 am) Then Dan drove to Chatanooga, TN and we had...of course, Cracker Barrel. Dan kept going until about 3/4 way through Georgia. We stopped at a rest area and had a picnic lunch. Then I took over and drove until we were an hour away from Daytona. Whew! We made it to Tim's by 7:30. The original plan was to take it easy on the way down, but obivously, plans changed.
Last night, we ate at a cool place in Flagler Beach. Dan had fish tacos (and the peanut gallery laughs...) and I had fish and chips. It was THEE best fish I've ever had! Dan, Tim, and the kids just came in from catching a few "unknown" fish in the net, LOTS of sand crabs, and a star fish. Mallory also snagged a half a sand dollar! We are getting ready to go to Cocoa Beach to see my Aunt Rose (who lives in Elmhurst, IL) and her friend John at John's daughters home. Then on to Orlando to check into our hotel.
Hope everyone's safe!

Friday, October 12, 2007

Friday night reflection

Congratulations, Lynnell & Brian Lichtenberg!!! It would seem that much time has gone by once again since my last post. It certainly took some time to get life back in order here since the big day!
It ended up being a gorgeous day and the pictures just don't cut the surface of what a memorable day it was. Besides all of the overflowing emotions, it was a MOST fun time!
Dan and I were able to party with so many friends, new and old! The only downfall was that time passed just way too quickly!


Since then, we've been keeping enjoying our days. Not much time to reflect in there, but we have certainly been keeping on the up and up. The kids are doing awesome at school.


Mallory is getting some great grades and having fun being a third grader! She has been improving tremendously at soccer on Saturday mornings (and some Thursday nights). Dance class also started on Sept. 24th, so that is something she really looks forward to, too. She still loves dogs and has been showing lots of interest in helping out around the house!

Christian has more than exceeded my expectations for him in all areas of his life. Not that I had set them low, but just that up until now, it seemed as though he would give us a run for our patience and understanding! He has joined the "letter-club" in his morning class (which means he can recognize all upper and lower case letters), and has already been reading us books and about 15 words (the, a, I, like, here, etc.). Not only that, but he continues to teach me about what God tells us in the Bible. He has been having fun playing soccer, but is not so sure about "battling." (i.e.-playing actual games on Saturdays)


I don't want to be that "braggy" mom, but I am just overwhelmed with the blessings God has given us in our children.


Dan and I are just getting over some nasty cold/flu bug. Other than that, I am adjusting to having Shelli at the shop, steering the ship, with Jillian managing the other aspects of the office. My days have really changed a lot, and my self-discipline is being challenged! I've been coaching both kids at soccer, coaching forensics, and volunteering for about 10-15 minutes in the mornings and on Wednesdays for about an hour in the classroom. Sounds like a lot, but just quite a few smaller things spread throughout the week. I do get to get out on Wednesday nights to play volleyball.


Dan has been trying to take Tuesday nights to go fishing, though this has been a busy time of year, with the swap meet and the big 5-Alarm weekend having just passed. His Uncle Don passed away about 3 weeks ago. He had been sick for quite some time. He has been spending more time at home and with the kids, which is every mom's dream come true!


It's time to put the kids to bed, now. We're just living life the best we can and trying to do what is best. We leave next Friday for Florida...that's a whole nother story!!



Parents' Prayer
O Father, our hearts are filledwith a great happiness.For you have seen fitto bless us with a child.You have sent us one ofyour own little angelsto love and protect.
We are aware of the greatresponsibility that is oursand we are humble.We realize the honoryou have bestowed upon usand we are grateful.
Great that we may beever patient and loving,living in such a wayas to set a shining example for our little one. And as we seek to set those tiny feet upon the paths of righteousness, be ever with us.
May our home be a place of love and harmony where your Spirit is ever present. And may our child find you in each activity of our family life.
Bless us, we pray,and walk beside us through all our days together. Amen.
- Norman Vincent Peale