McCormick Mania!

Monday

Christine and Taylor's Wedding

Well the big day finally came. The weather looked clear up until Thursday, when a cold front was forecast ed for Saturday. We decided to get a 20 by 20 tent, then Friday night the forecast was changed to a 60 % chance of horrible thunderstorms and hail Saturday evening. Susan and I wanted to change the wedding to earlier in the day but Christine didn't want to. When the tent was pitched we were happy to see we could change the game plan and fit all of the tables under with no problem and leave the deck open for the vows.
Saturday morning the rain forecast was changed to 30 percent and some of the storms had fallen apart. It ended up raining about 30 minutes before the vows and only for 10 minutes.

Thank you God! You answered our prayers.

The Flower Arrangements

Emma the Flower Girl and Jack the Ring Bearer

They were adorable!

A tearful dad giving his daughter away!

The new husband giving the bride a kiss!

Yuck! I have to kiss my sister! Where did it say that! Kirby also wanted to know why nobody was asked if they object to this marriage....

The gorgeous bride!

Taylor and Tine with Susan, the wonderful hostess! She did all the planning! I love you Susan!
We have decided Tine and Taylor need to name their first daughter Sue, after her and me!

Shaughn and his sister

The McCormick Clan! All the aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins!

Oma and Opa with Christine

Allison, Shaughn's girlfriend! She didn't catch the bouquet! That's not why she is smiling!

Susie and Tim with the newlyweds!

Tim and his daughter!

She was beautiful and he soo handsome!

This was the cake I made. It was lemon cake with raspberry filling and cream cheese frosting! It was so good. A lot of people came back for 2nds and even thirds! There was not a bite left!

The tearful father of the bride has gotten over his tears and is now attempting a keg stand. Isn't there an
age limit to this??

Rascal

We brought Rascal home from the humane society in July of 1998. She was supposed to be my dog, but the entire family really loved her. Mom had mocha (a laso apso that she received as a wedding present from my dad), but Rascal was a real family dog. Dad was surprised when we brought her home, especially when he found out how big she was supposed to get.

It wasn't the size he should have worried about--- it was the energy level. What a naughty dog. She would get out from under the fence, and streak around the neighborhood. I don't know how many times I was roused from bed in the morning with orders to "go catch 'er." More often than not it would turn into a trek through the neighborhood nature trail (more like swamp). She'd let me get within inches of her, and then sprint out of my reach again. Mom hated the mud she dragged through the patio, which was part of the reason it's now painted brown instead of stark white. She would also flip out during thunderstorms (pretty much everyday during the Florida summers). She'd tear down doors, dig out of the yard, bark, whine, pant, and pace. Mom swore time and time again that we were going to bring her back to the pound, but thankfully we stuck it out until she calmed down past puppyhood.

Not that Rascal was all trouble. Most of the time she was a pretty cool dog, sporting a mohawk or a sweet pair of shades.

Around age seven, Rascal started getting hip problems. Most days she was fine, but some days she should limp or hop around the house. Things got progressively worse, especially in the last year. Rascal began having trouble walking on the tile floors, often slipping and falling. She began spending her time outside in the backyard where she could get better traction on the grass. Her favorite spot was under the nectarine tree in the back corner of the yard.

After her days became progressively more difficult and painful, a tough decision was made. Yesterday Dad, Kirby and I brought Rascal to the vet to say goodbye. After deciding that cremation was too impersonal, we brought her home and laid her to rest under her favorite nectarine tree. We will always love and miss you Rascal!

Wednesday

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

We had a great meal consisting of steak, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, salad, and chocolate mousse. Yum. The boys enjoyed eating at the "formal" dining room and thought we should do it more often.

Hmmm.. maybe..

Maybe we will if they look happier! But I guess you wouldn't look to happy if you were spending this day at home with your parents!

Kirby helped clean up! By licking the tools.

Dessert-Sugar free pudding mixed with sugar free cool-whip, along with mini chocolate chips and walnut pieces. Topped with more cool-whip.

Valentine's Day cake pops! I love to make these things almost as much as I love to eat them!!

Sunday

Sky Diving!! CRAZY!

Christine and Taylor purchased a jump from Groupons a year ago and finally got around to doing it. We had a hard time locating the place in Lake Wales. When we finally found it, it looked a little sketchy. Christine was almost ready to bale when signing the release form. You don't really want to read that partaking in this risky sport can result in death! The small plane takes off and heads to 10,000 feet before you jump! Yikes, that is pretty darn high! They had a great time and loved it!

Yes! We are alive!!!

Sonic the Hedgehog
Kirby has a new hedgehog. Isn't he adorable? They are nocturnal so we don't get to see to much of him! He spends most of the night running, and running, and running, on his wheel.

Thursday

Byron Visits!!

My brother, Byron and his friend Tracy came to visit for a week before Christmas. It is always great to see him. My kids just love him!

Oma, Opa, Byron, Tracy, Susie, Kirby and Sparky

Wednesday

Kid's Christmas Picture
Thank goodness for trees in airports!

Kirby 15, Christine 22, Shaughn 20

Christine and her sweetie, Taylor, soon to be husband!!!
I am to young to have a daughter that is getting married!

Saturday

Cancun

Thanksgiving 2011
We headed down to Cancun again this Thanksgiving, and Shaughn did not even get deported! Christine's fiance, Taylor, and his family joined us along with Oma and Opa. We had a wonderful time as usual!

Opa Reading and Relaxing

Shaughn a Snoozing!
and that was before the shot of Tequila!

Tim's Typical Breakfast
And he wonders how he gained 12lbs in 4 days! And this was just the first plate!

Taylor and Christine!

The PUTT PUTT Champs are......

The McCormicks!
(there may have been a little cheating going on!)

Friday

I have added a new page to my blog! Wedding Stuff as we prepare for the big day in March. You can get to the wedding stuff at the tab above this post.

Thursday

10-22-11

Tim Turns 50!!(I am a month late posting)
Tim didn't want to do anything special for his 50th Birthday! He was feeling a little old, I mean sad! Our dearest friends offered to cook him dinner for his birthday! She beats Martha Stewart and Paula Dean. She is the best cook. She invited my parents over also. We had a wonder time.
Thank you so much Susan and Peyton!
You are the best!

I made my version of Too Jays, Banana Dream cake. If I must tell, it was just as good!

Tuesday

Halloween 2011

Halloween 2011
I don't know what got into me this year, but I had a great time making decorations and decorating for Halloween. I haven't done a thing in years but really got into it this year. For the first time ever, I forgot to buy pumpkins to carve! Yikes!!! We ended up eating spaghetti squash on Halloween and Kirby came up with the idea to carve it. He drew the line when I told him I was going to put them at the front door for Jack-O-Lanterns.

I call these our RED NECK PUMPKINS!

I rounded up all the empty glass jars I could find and printed eerie labels of the Internet. I filled them with items that represented the label. As much as the kids made fun of me, they made sure to tell all the neighbors!