2008 in review (the last few months anyways)

Wow...what a year. We said goodbye to our friends up north and made the trek south, made great new friends (never forgetting or replacing the old ones of course) and had our first Christmas (or Christams if you prefer) without snow.

This year my parents came down for Thanksgiving. We did our Christmas with them on Thanksgiving morning so that they could watch Robby open his gifts




While our friends were digging out from all the snow we were enjoying our first boat parade!





We had also did our first Christmas Eve with the Furteks and the Kochakians.


Of course some things. no matter where you are, never change.






It's been interesting and fun. Lots of love to our family and friends. We hope to see some of you down here real soon!

Auntie Traci's Kitchen

Every Friday night we go to Ed and Traci's. Traci cooks wonderful meals every week and feeds a ton of us! No one is allowed in her kitchen. That is except Robby. Traci makes quite the exception for her little man. She always has something set up for him to do. It started up with simple things. She explained all of the tools to him in a manner that blew me away. I don't think I ever could have explained what something as simple as a pair of tongs does in a way that would make him get excited about cooking. Next, he was allowed to grate some cheese and help make her fabulous chili dip. After that he started cutting vegetables and even made his own platter for everybody. This week he cooked rice. It was so cool and he was so proud of himself.

It's not just that Traci gave him use of her kitchen, it's more that she gave him her heart. I don't even know if she has noticed the special bond that has formed between the two of them but I have and I am so grateful for it. She makes Robby feel very special and in our new life that is quite an amazing gift.

Look at the mess he creates!




This is Rob trying to duck out of a picture.


You can't really see but there is rice cooking in that microwave!

The Bravest Man I've Ever Known

Today I am at a loss for what to write here although I still feel compelled to do so. This particular blog has been put off for a long time for two reasons. First, because I know it is hard for Michelle to read all this and second because I cannot do it without crying.

The picture you see to your left is of me and Kage. I love my husband and dad but Kage is hands down the bravest man I have ever known. He is also an amazing father, husband and friend. He loves his wife and children with a fervor that cannot be duplicated. Kage is also one of the most "real" people I know. He stands by his convictions and is not afraid to let you know it.

At the age of 19 Kage joined the Coast Guard. He spent many months at sea in places that you and I would never want to go to. Places like Haiti where there is no humanity. He was away from his wife and son for sometimes 6 months at a time. He saw things by age 20 that no human being should have to see in their lifetime. And yet he is not bitter or angry. He instead chose to embrace life and cherish the ones he loves.

Tomorrow, he leaves for training in Virginia. On December 1 he will go to Iraq. Words cannot describe what a true hero and friend this man is. I love him as if he were my brother. As if we were flesh and blood. His wife, as most of you know, is my best friend and has been since the first grade. Her strength and faith should not be overlooked in all of this either. She is an amazing woman who loves like no other and faces adversity with a strength she does not even know she has.

There is nothing left to write exept that Don, Robby and I love you Kage. Be safe buddy.

Wizard's first swim

Wizard went for his first swim this weekend at Scott and Teresa's house. We were very excited to get him in the water and see what he would do. The general consensus from the day was that Wizard is not a water dog. He was able to do the doggie paddle but as Scott pointed out it was a paddle of desperation to get out of the pool and not anything he was enjoying. We even tried putting Maggie's old hunting vest on him. He looked really cute in it at least.





He actually looks happy in this one below. Don pretty much held him the whole time he was in the pool.




Here he is on the float.




The paddle of desperation to the stairs



P.S. If you haven't seen all the blogs we have posted make sure to visit www.donpattyrobby.blogspot.com

The Flying Maliszewskis

This Labor Day weekend the weather is not so great due to the outer bands of Gustav giving us some wind and rain. However that doesn't keep this family down! We spend the day at Ed & Traci's house having a wonderful time and taking advantage of the pool when the weather lightened up for awhile. The thing about Florida is there is always a part of any day where you can get outside and enjoy yourself. Don started the fun by deciding to take a baby pool and using it as a landing spot for high flying fun in the pool. After that it was game on!






Look at me fly!

There goes Don

The Flying Maliszewskis

P.S. A big thanks to Traci for the awesome picures.

First day of school!

The Mote Aquarium

The Friday before school started Robby and I went to the Mote Aquarium in Sarasota with Margaret and Ed. We had an awesome time and it was so fun to spend the day with Margaret and Ed.

Margret and Robby



Robby checking out the sharks


Robby and Ed



Robby and I petting the stingrays. Poor Robby could not get his hand in the tank far enough to touch one.



Robby, Margret and I


Giant dead squid