Yeeee-Haw! Dixie Stampede!

Did I mention that we went to see Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede in Orlando while Bill, Lynn, and Dave were in town? Well, we did. And it was really neat! They did a whole Christmas-themed rodeo show (North Pole vs. South Pole) and put in a touching little manger scene that dropped right out of the ceiling! Jen was squealing at the herds of real head-butting sheep and cute baby goats.

Other cute animals included the racing pigs and the chickens being chased by kids from the audience. The kids ran toward the chickens to scare them into running across the finish line. I don't think any of those kids had ever seen a real chicken before in their lives. I'm not sure who was more scared of whom! At any rate, the chickens seemed to know what to do (they're pros) and made it across the line. Oh the memories! (I had a pet chicken as a child.)

I like these dinner show things :-) There's lots more in Orlando... just give us a good reason to go see one!

ERAU bashed by Christmas tornado

Our alma mater, Embry-Riddle, was whacked by a freak tornado on Christmas day. Reports have come in from news reports and friends on location that the damage to the campus is devastating. Almost all of the 65 training aircraft were damaged or destroyed and several buildings on campus sustained major damage--including impacts from aircraft! (See photo at left) Thankfully almost no one was on campus at the time and there are no reported injuries.

The university has released several statements indicating that they will be starting classes in January, though later than their original start date.

More info:

Photos from Dave Bujak, a fellow Alpha Phi Omega alum.

News from ANN, an aviation news service.

Christmas comes early to Titusville

The last week has been a flurry of travel activity! Jen got back from her 4-day class in California on Friday afternoon. Tom & Alice (Jen's mom & step-dad) arrived on Saturday afternoon for a week-long pre-Christmas visit. I left for a World Space Expo business trip to early on Sunday (5am!). No, I wasn't running from my in-laws. In fact, I stayed with Bill & Lynn in Hershey,PA (Jen's dad + step-mom). I love all my in-laws and was happy to see them all in the same week :-)

While I was gone,Tom and Alice visited some Frank Loyd Wright architecture in Lakeland (on the other side of FL)! When I got home, they left to go to Sabastian, FL, for a few days. (Maybe they were avoiding me? ;-) )

When we were all together we had a fun time and had an early Christmas. Tom & Alice gave us an awesome new fridge that matches the stove + microwave we'd already bought. After one false fridge (back to the store with you!) we got the working one in the kitchen and into place. Now we have a new fridge + all new food for it too! What an adventure!

Now we're all on the road again with Jen & I heading to GA and Alice & Tom on their way back to WI. Bill, Lynn, & David are also on their way to GA to have Christmas with my family before we all head down to FL.

WHEW! What a week! And mor to come...