One more thing...

One more thing regarding our Orlando Fun: I neglected to mention that since we had "tire issues", we were late getting to the game, and had no time to stop for a "Real Dinner". Stellar Parenting Moment #1: the kids ate popcorn for dinner. Stellar Parenting Moment #2 came 4 hours later when we took them out for dinner at IHOP at 11pm at night. In Orlando. While we were driving there, I said to Ryan, "It's official. WE are the 'Bad Parents' we've been criticizing every time we used to come to Orlando, who keep their little kids out until midnight, eating dinner, and wandering the streets!!" So, while we were waiting for our food to be delivered to our table, in walks another little family with kids and BEN says, "Hey look! You guys aren't the ONLY bad parents here tonight!" I was too mortified to look over to see if they heard our suddenly VERY LOUD SON. Needless to say, we tried to pass it off as a "fun adventure" to the kids, after that. Whatever. Yup, Carly was so tired, she was in tears by the time her pancakes arrived!

Random Magic

Another McGregor Weekend of Fun... Friday night we took off for Orlando to catch an Orlando Magic basketball game. YES, we are BASEBALL fans, but the Magic get Ryan through the dreaded "off season". He is a fan of our HOMETOWN teams, and Tampa doesn't have a basketball team, so we cheer for the Orlando Magic. This is the fourth year in a row we've been able to catch a game, and it is always fun for all of us! Here's what we really LOVE about the Magic:

#12... Dwight Howard! Nice kid, and VERY fun to watch. Last year he won the Slam Dunk contest. Yup, he's good at that. Check out my VERY FUN canon camera with CRAZY zoom! We were sitting 3 rows down from the ceiling... same seats we got when we went with YOU, Tracy! HA! Dwight was way down on the court, you know, because he was playing basketball, not hanging out with the McGregor's.

Here's how our trip TO Orlando started... Flat tire on I-4. Ever been on that road? Ugh. ANYWAYS.... Extra special THANKS to the not-so-Random Road Ranger who pulled up to help just as our car fell OFF the jack and onto Ryan's hand. His left hand was resting on the flat tire, and the car came crashing down. I saw the whole thing and yes, screamed just as loud as Ryan did. We believe his wedding band saved his ring finger from the extreme damage it SHOULD have received... the ring is REALLY strong and now sports a very deep gouge in it. The Ranger finished changing our tire using the industrial jack that is so much better than the little tiny, ineffective one that came with our car. He arrived "Just In Time" and needless to say, we were so happy to have his help.

Here's Ryan's swollen hand, which is now QUITE bruised. Pretty minor injury, considering... He's a little sad about not getting to be the "Infamous Eight Fingered Piano Player". Only Ryan. The final portion of the tale is that we had just bought the tire in November and it was covered by the warranty and the very kind people at Tire Kingdom took care of replacing it for free.

And last, but certainly not least, our little Princess learned a new skill this weekend! Ryan hooked her up with VACUUMING (note the "shortened" vacuum, he removed an extender for her!) and she loved it! Remember when she was so scared of the vacuum cleaner, Mom? And you used to put it out in your room when you didn't want her wandering in there?!?!! HA! Now... look closely behind her: Ryan's been saving for months and finally got his new Sony HDTV! Actually $300 off at Sam's so he was REALLY happy about that!

Smiling...

Isn't she cute?! Caroline told me today that she always smiles "because it just makes me feel better!"... wisdom, from a 7 year old! She's about the most smiley person I know, and it started when she was 5 weeks old! (Above photo is at 11 months!)

Have you smiled today?

Mario Kartin' Cousins!

We are big "techno-fans". LOVE modern technology. Our kids even go to a Magnet school for technology. Here's our newest bit of fun: Playing video games with Caleb. In Texas. As in, he's in Texas, we're in Florida. Today was our first trial with this Wii wireless goodness and it was a huge hit! Nothing like being able to "play" with your cousins, 1/2 way across the country. In the picture, above, you can see Ryan trying it out with them, and "holding" the phone up to his ear, talking with them. Now, we need a speaker phone! On the TV screen, you can see Ryan's "race" and Caleb's "race" as they race against each other. Pretty exciting for the kids (and RYAN!)... Ok, Amanda and Torrey, you are next! And Isaiah? Tell Mama you need a wii with MarioKart!

Happy Birthday MOM!

Hope you have a GREAT DAY, Mom! We miss you and can't wait for you to get home!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Mmmmm.... Don't you wish Rochel was YOUR aunt??? Today was Carly's turn to bring snack in for her class (I think they picked her because her name is Carly McGregor and the closest thing they had to Irish Eyes-A-Smiling) and Rochel made these for her to bring in! BIG HIT. We don't really "celebrate" St. Patty's Day, but I will admit that I DID make corned beef and cabbage for dinner! Yes, Ben and Carly have put THEMSELVES up for adoption after that one! Actually they got to eat cereal, so it was a good night all around! While our dinner was yummy, it REALLY made me miss my Mom!!! *sniff*

THANKS for the cookies, Rochel!

The end of a great week!

We so loved our week with KRISTIN! Ben and Carly have each said, "I miss Kristin... I wish she were still here!" with big sighs. I know what they mean. We had a fun, mostly just hanging out and loving having another member in our little family.

We tried out a new restaurant on Friday to celebrate Kristin getting into Nursing School. Texas Roadhouse just opened up near Mom's house and it was GREAT! Highly recommended:) Carly learned a new trick while we were there... I told her, "oh, that face will get you far in life!" and she's been doing it ever since! You know, when she wants something... What do you think, Dad? Would it work on you?!?!?! We think Papoo might be the biggest sucker for it!

And on a sad note: One of our wedding gifts bit the dust this week. THAT IS SO SAD!!! We have loved this pizza stone for well over 14 years. Note to self: NEVER put a hot pizza stone on top of your stove when you forget to turn the burn off... we suddenly heard a loud POP, and this is what happened...

It was perfectly seasoned, too... oh well. And for something to look forward to... our amarillas are blooming, so red flower pictures are ready!