HAPPY NEW YEAR....2008!

Happy New Year to you all! It's hard to believe that we are into another new year already. We rang in the New Year with some of Stef's family that came down to stay with us from Wisconsin. On New Year's Eve we went to Ybor City and attended the Parade and Wisconsin Badgers Pep Rally for the Outback Bowl which was the following day. After that we went to Bonefish Grill for dinner and made it home in time to ring in 2008! We had to get up very early the next day to attend the University of Wisconsin Alumni tailgate party called the "huddle." We heard the band and ate brats, cheese and drank plenty of beer. The game wasn't that great because the Badgers lost to Tennessee, but we all had a really fun time. We were so glad everyone could be here with us .

Having a blast with the UW band in Ybor City.

The UW Badger cheerleaders

New Year's Eve

At the tailgate New Year's Day...

Todd having his first Brat of the day at the tailgate New Year's Day.

Lulu, Todd, MaryAnn and Stef's Dad (Big Dick) at the pep rally in Ybor.

Mary Ann on New Year's eve. These glasses were blinking.

More fun with the band in Ybor City.

Lulu and some Badger fans we met at the game.

The sisters.. Sue, Lulu and Mary Ann

On Wisconsin!! The UW Marching Band during halftime of the game.

The band leaving the tailgate headed to the stadium

Us at the tailgate

Merry Christmas 2007!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We had a blessed time at our home with family and friends to share in the holiday spirit. Santa visited our house a day early this year to surprise Todd with a Baby Grand piano! He has been wanting one since he was 8 years old and this year Santa was finally able to make his wish come true :) Below are some pictures of him seeing his piano in the living room for the first time, after he got home from a long shift Christmas eve day. There are also some pictures of the kids opening gifts that night.

Coming in the door from work, seeing the piano and thinking he was in the wrong house.

Still trying to figure out if he was in the right house

Sitting down to play for the first time.

Meg enjoying a new place to sleep and hide.

Meg sharing in the fun and excitement when Todd got his piano. She had to let him know how happy she was for him.

Later that evening, Drew opening a gift and realizing it was a white limo matchbox car.

Dylan also opening some gifts.

Meg getting in the middle of everything and trying to figure out what all the excitement was all about.

Still trying to figure things out :) She couldn't miss ANYTHING!

GO TAMPA BAY BUCS!

Mid December our friends Damon and Brenda visited from Atlanta. Along with other friends, we went to the Bucs vs. Falcons game at Raymond James Stadium. Here are some pictures of our day. It was warm in the morning and then the wind picked up, making it extra "cool." We had a great time and look forward to going to more games next season.

Todd and Stef at the tailgate

The field from our seats

Damon and his friend Jim. Jim cooked us the finest tailgate food I have ever had. Bacon wrapped scallops, filet, potatos, green beans, fresh cuban bread and much more!

Our friends Charolette and Troy.

Todd in front of a large beam that we all signed that is going to be placed at Ground Zero in NYC. It was pretty neat to see all the people signing it and showing their support.

Here the wind was picking up :)