29 on 29

It is now official. We began our 30th year married together on the 29th. We were quite proud of ourselves. We celebrated by going to a great restaurant called Hyde Park here in Dublin. One of the best steak houses we have been too, including Texas. Anyway, Happy Anniversary darling!

Christmas 2008 in Florence! Okay, KY

We again traveled to Florence to be with Melissa since she has this government job that makes her work holidays. She's taking after her Mom. I truly have had my share. We had a great time and ended up staying 2 nights. Duane and I stayed at the Hyatt along with Jordan and Scott for one night. Lauren stayed with Mel and the dogs. Actually, Lauren loved the solitude and being able to capitalize on the TV. Melissa has Digital cable with a ton of movie channels. We wish everyone a wonderful Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Justin and Melodie will be with us over New Years where you will see pics of them again! Love to everyone. Wished we could see all of you.
Father Christmas?

Lauren having fun with her Nintendo DS.

Melissa has passed out? She just didn't want her picture taken.

Jordan looking a little tired. He has been working a lot lately.

Scott playing diligently on Jordan's Nintendo DS. He didn't get one but got an Itouch instead.

Barney and Bailey with us.

The first winter snow of 2008

I know everyone is jealous with maybe the exception of Ryan and Lindsey with our snowfall. I actually had no idea that we were getting it but here it is. It is beautiful but my head is still in summer. I guess I didn't get enough of it this year. But, it is ushering in our Christmas season and I do love this time of year
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Our trip to Longaberger

Saturday, we took Justin and Melodie to The Longaberger Homestead. Just about everyone has a Longaberger basket. This is where it originated just outside of Newark OH and where they still make the baskets. Duane read that the baskets started being made because of the pottery that was made in Ohio and were made to carry them. It started over 75 years ago. Well, the pottery has since left Ohio and baskets are still being made. The economy has hit Longaberger like every other direct selling company. They have laid off quite a lot of basket weavers. Look below and you will see some of the factory stalls. I bet there are over 1000 cubicles where they make their baskets. They were out on Thanksgiving break but there was a basket weaver there showing how they make baskets. He was nice enough to smile for me.



This is the Adminstration building of Longaberger. It is unbelievable when you are driving down the road and come upon this.
Huge Apple Basket


Our basket weaver. It was fun watching him. These are the stalls in which they work.

Our Christmas lights

Our Christmas cat, Willie
Justin had his roomate from college stop by and his wife. Cory, Katie, Justin and Melodie. They are all avid board gamers.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Today we traveled to Florence KY where Mel lives to be with her on Thanksgiving. Because she works at the airport and people still fly on holidays, she had to work. So, on the road again we went. Some of us slept after they ate as you will see, and others played games. We were fortunate to have Melody and Justin with us along with a friend of Jordan's by the name of Scott. Justin and Melodie brought a new game called Ticket to Ride home dealing with connecting trains. Very addictive. Click on the highlight and it will take you to the website. Then click on Our Games at the top. As you can see from below by the concentrations on our faces. Unfortuantely, I have lost every game. I went to bed the first night staying awake trying to strategize. It didn't do a thing for me. I still lost. We hope you all had a great Thanksgiving as well. We truly have a lot to be thankful for. Eating our Thanksgiving meal.

Melissa and Lauren were the first out.

Jordan thought it was funny taking pictures of everyone so we got him.
The highlight of the weekend playing TICKET TO RIDE. We started it at our house before Thanksgiving and played again and again at Melissa's.
It that a frustration look? Just because he was losing. Some people have a hard time losing!
Justin is very serious with his games.
Not a lot of trust here. I think she was mad at her husband. He kept blocking her plays. I see her getting even in the future.
The big winner. He won 2 in a row. I think he cheats!
The concentration didn't help me one bit!
This is Scott. Quickly he is becoming another member of the family. The more the merrier.

It's the Dr.'s birthday

In San Francisco during the weekend of his graduation last May.



It was definitely a big year for Duane this year. He FINALLY finished his doctorate. So now, he is officially Dr. Duane A. Floro. Lauren calls him Dr. Pepper after his gray hair. Now he is a year older. How old do you ask? Well, I'm not telling but he is 3 years older than me right now and I am half a century old! He does have something to be proud of. Not only has he set the bar high for his kids as far as education wise, but have set a great example of being a Godly father and husband. We are all quite proud of him and love him very much.

Anyone that knows Duane knows that he has a passion for cars. On his screen saver, he has over 3000 cars on there. So when he is bored, he just looks at his cars. It does save us quite a lot of money that way of course by not having to buy a car every year. He also has quite a sense of humor and you will see that in some of his pics down below. So you see where the kids got their whit. I just sit back and watch them all go.

Happy Birthday sweetheart.

I love this picture. He was looking over the Bay in San Francisco and contemplating what was ahead.

A young whipper snapper. This was either Jordan or Lauren. I recognized that room. Not for just delivering there but me delivering many babies there myself.
His great love of football. He is on the chain gang with his buddies at the high school. They still do this even though their 3 boys graduated 2 years ago.

Father and Mom with their football son.

Having fun with the Hokie at Ryan and Lindsey's wedding. Ryan will love this one.

Who is that masked man? Can you see the resemblance? He is with his boss by the way on his birthdayHe is a lover of those Colts.

Supporting his wife at a Mary Kay convention. That's true love!

With his girls at one of the great things he likes to go to. Car shows!