Holy night of nights Batman, Christmas is almost here.

Ummmm...Christmas is two days away and I am barely ready for it.  Yes the house is beautifully decorated but that is about it.  This year has truly left very little time to get everything done and it has really caught up to me.  Sydney and Connor still need to go shopping for my beautiful wife.  But no compliant from me because we are truly blessed with good jobs and good health and we are able to host family for Christmas dinner.  One thing I am looking to accomplish is more frequent updates via this blog and have added an app for that.  Hopefully mobile blogging with real time links and the ability to add video and photos on the fly will make it easier for me to post more.  Well, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah or whatever you celebrate and may the season find you healthy, happy and with the ones you love.

Sometimes You Need A Rainy Sunday Morning

We look forward to our weekends.  Everybody that knows us, knows if it is the weekend you find us out and about.  In fact, this morning we were prepared to head out on the boat to do some wake boarding and hydrosliding followed by a visit to one of the local sandbars.  That was until the rain rolled in last night.  Not just rain but rolling thunderstorms with downpours and blowing winds.  It made for a great night sleep but not very good boating weather. 

But, do you know what, we really all need it.
Sometimes you just need a rainy sunday morning to slow down, relax, reset those batteries and sip a cup of coffee.  Sipping coffee, listening to the rain and watching a quiet sunday morning show, what a novel idea.  It's not great for getting things done but it is great for the soul.  I know for some people reading this you're thinking "uh that's what I do every sunday" but for someone who is always getting up early preparing for some sort of outing this is definitely not the norm. 

I think I'm going to enjoy this quiet time for a little more this morning and then I'll start making breakfast.

Until next time.....

I love Summer!

If I haven't kept up with this blog lately it's only because it's Summer.  Summer is the season I get to spend more time with the kids, swimming, running, playing and getting out and about.  Summer is our time.  This is the time that memories are made.  As the kids get older it is more and more important to spend that time and make those memories.  Unfortunately, as each Summer comes it must also go and every Summer counts down the short years till these kids will no longer be kids but young adults.  So on this Father's Day in the middle of a wonderful Summer I'm going to spend as much time with the kids as possible. 

An Ode To My Wife

Several years ago I wrote my wife a poem of sorts and and presented it to her for our aniversary.  She loved receiving it and I printed and framed it for all to see.  As we approach our 18th annivesary I wanted to remind her that I continue to appreciate her and love her with all my being.  So that being said through the power of technology I share with the whole world.

An Ode To My Wife

My wife, my lover, my friend, this will always be until the end.

You are to me as branches are to a tree.

As with the tree you shape me, make me look better to the rest of the world,

and without you I would not have a chance to grow.

You help guide our family and are a strong infuence in the life of our children

and you are constantly making our house a home.

To this end you are a wonderful wife.

The feel of your touch, the embrace of your hug and the warmth of your kisses

are why you will be my one and only true love.

But as a friend you are my "Best Friend".

You give me the strength to take on hurdles in our life

and you fill me with joy when we celebrate accomplishments.

Essentially without you I would not be me

and for this I would like to thank you.

Remember when I say "I love you" it is not idly said,

it is from my very core and with much conviction.

I truly love you and know that no matter what happens in the future,

we will handle it because we will do it together.

I Love You Kristen Ruddy

                                                                                                          Until next time....



How did I become a cheerleader and why do I like it so much?

I am truly amazed at the multitude of job titles that a parent takes on.  Through the course of their young lives you are a teacher, mentor, provider and protector.  My own internal drive pushes me to coach and manage more than anything else.  No matter if the kids have taken on Basketball, Football, Baseball or Tae Kwon Do I have assumed a role of manager or coach.  Watching the nuances of their skills compared to the best and worst of their peers and giving tips and pointers on how they can excel in any one of the sports.  Of course, like any dotting father I think that my children are the best at what they do and thankfully in my case I am right.
Recently, I have found fun in assuming a slightly different role, Cheerleader.  Don't get me wrong part of managing includes cheering on the results of hard work.  The best coaches bring out the best performance by acknowledging and cheering on that action.  Cheerleading on the other hand doesn't include coaching.  I have found that there is true joy in sitting on the sidelines cheering and yelling in support of the kids efforts.  Removing the element of coaching and spending less time critiquing the results has given me more time to enjoy the effort. 
As usual, my children continue to teach me more about myself and how to enjoy life and stop to smell the roses or in this case stop and enjoy the game.

Until next time..........

Robert visited for Bike Week

One of the times we look forward to most is Bike Week in Daytona Beach.  The events, the excitement, the sights, the sounds, it all breathes life into the area.  But more than that it brings us together with great friends and allows us an excuse to stop and enjoy the time.  This year Robert was able to make it up to spend some fun time with us and the kids.  Much like Thanksgiving, if Rob is anywhere near us at the time of the event he makes the drive to spend a few days with us.  Thanksgiving with Robert pre-dates our move to Daytona but that move started the all new tradition for Bike Week and Biketoberfest.  This year when I reached into my closet to put on a Bike Week shirt I was reminded of when it all began.  The shirt was from our very first Bike Week the year we moved up here "Bike Week 2000".  That was the year I met "Don Z" and a tradition was born.  Don was the first friend I made when we moved here.  He was already a fixture at the resort that I came to work for and he is one of those people that everyone know and loves.  Working for the resorts meant that we worked a lot of the events and back then the properties we worked at drew the crowds holding concerts and bike competitions.  What an awesome way to be introduced to Bike Week.  Early on Robert started coming up to visit us and it only made sense that carnival atmospheres like races and bike events would be the times he came.  I moved on from the hotels but my friendship with Don stuck.  He became one of those great friends that no matter what direction life takes us we still make a point to get together and enjoy life for a while.  That first Bike Week led to the next and the next and a tradition was born.  There are many things that can interrupt life but one thing you can count on is steak and potatoes at the Iron Horse with Don.  That 11 year old shirt is an amazing reminder of all the great times we have spent together.  2 times a year, every year, no matter whats going on, we get together to partake in a little frivolity and release the tensions of every day life.  Thankfully, Robert was able to join us again this year spending time out and about with the kids during the day and then what has come to be know as "Kristen and Her Boys" at night.  The steak is great, the beer ice cold but the memories are really what make it special.  These are absolutely the times we should live for.
Until next time.......

Spring in Daytona....Races, Bikes and Back to the Beach

One of the most amazing times around Daytona Beach starts in February and ends in March.  Towards the beginning of the month it all starts with a change in the air.  Afternoon highs start to climb into the 70's and the nights are still nice and cool in the 60's.  After a few months of bundling up for our Florida winter we are more than ready to get back to the beach.  Now the sun is great and weekends are full of events but unless you are from Minnesota don't dare enter the water.  We haven't quite got that far into the year but it sure looks inviting.
By far the largest draw in February is Speed Weeks at the Daytona International Speedway.  If you crave anything that goes fast it is featured this week for sure.  Believe it or not the first race around the track is actually people.  They hold a 5k on the track the morning of the 24 hour race to kick things off.  I have ran this in the past and it is the most amazing run going 3.3 miles from pit row, through the infield and then around the 2.5 mile track finishing at world famous start/finish line of the Daytona International Speedway.  This is followed by the 24 hour race which tests the endurance of the cars and drivers and fans for 24 hours straight.  For the next 2 weeks they race motorcycles, trucks, go-carts and of course the stock cars of NASCAR.  Tens of thousands of fans and racing support staff move into the area filling hotels and turning the infield and the adjacent lots into the largest RV park you've ever seen.  But none of it compares to the ingress and egress on the day of the the Daytona 500.  182,000 in attendance for this one race with over half of them arriving just for the one day of racing and leaving the same day.  Trust me if you are into racing this is a truly amazing time but if you live near the track and are not into racing get home and stay home.  Thankfully we enjoy the events and all the energy it brings and you normally find us happily out in the mix.
Shortly after they shut down for the races the trucks, trailers and bikes of the Bike Week participants start rolling in.  By far some of my favorite visitors and events are here during the 10 days or Bike Week.  The funny thing is I don't ride a motorcycle.  That doesn't stop us from going out to the different venues, taking in the carnival like atmosphere and enjoying steak and potatoes with an ice cold beer.  You'll find bikers in condos, hotels, campgrounds, spare bedrooms of friends and sleeping in backyards.  In fact, if you find yourself heading this way during Bike Week look us up and we'll see where we can fit you.  If nothing else we will meet up to take it all in.  We have built a tradition of meeting some of our best friends for a night out to enjoy all the sights and sounds that Bike Week brings us.  This year it will be from March 4th-13th so if you are reading this and headed our way give us a call.
The best part of all this is that we don't need to go out of town to attend and enjoy what we have come to love.  It comes to us and this year Spring has sprung and we are definitely out there enjoying it.
Until next time........

January......Perfect Weather For Outdoor Events

January brings us Floridians the perfect weather for outdoor events. OK so it is still winter and we still dip below freezing and the nasty cold fronts pounding the north create storms that drop inches of rain an hour down here but when it's right it's perfect.  The last couple of weekends have been exactly that.  Cool mornings perfect for getting out and about early, mild temperatures in the low 70's just cool enough to enjoy a day full of bright sunshine.  On days like this, there is nothing that can keep us cooped up inside.  Thankfully, everyone in the family enjoys the different events but everyone seems to enjoy them for different reasons.
Last week Caitlyn joined us and we all went to the Native American Festival.  This is an annual event held in Ormond  Beach and each year we partake in buffalo burgers on fried bread and corn soups while immersing ourselves in the culture of the Native American's.  As I said everyone gets a little something different out of it and it's interesting watching it all unfold.  I really enjoyed watching Kristen and Caitlyn spending time catching up and just enjoying a day out with the family.  Both of them looking for the perfect creative picture to take and hanging out together watching the kids and watching the shows all the while with me enjoying the smiles on their faces.  Connor is all about the learning.  He moves from booth to booth and is fully engaged asking questions and wanting to try everything.  Mining for gemstones and learning what he has found, throwing a hatchet, targeting with a blow gun, watching someone make fire with two pieces of wood and how a blacksmith molds items out of heated metal.  He is focused, asking questions and you can see him figuring out how he can replicate it himself.  Sydney on the other hand is becoming more social.  The event is more about the friends that she is meeting there and having time to spend with them running around being a teenager.  Laughing, giggling but also participating by joining in to the circle of dancers.  Most enjoyable to me is that she takes a break from her friends to make sure she comes spend some time with the family.  I keep thinking about watching the alligator wrestlers with a huge crowd around the enclosure and Sydney asks to get on my shoulders.  Fifteen, almost full grown but reminding me of the promise that she will never be to big to go on my shoulders.  Maybe someday we can walk down the aisle on the way to the alter with her on my shoulders.  It wouldn't surprise me a bit.
Moving on to this past weekend we went down to the New Smyrna Art Festival and met up with Russ, Terri, Jeff, Ariana and Aidan.  What an absolutely beautiful day and you couldn't ask for better company than family to spend it with.  The cousins paired up and were like peas in a pod.  For them the art is OK with Connor appreciating it more than others but they mainly they're there for a good time.  We all took in the art wandering from vendor to vendor with the occasional stop for ice cream, roasted nuts and a hot dog or two.  Afterwards it was on to Elaine's for dinner.  Kristen's mother always works hard to put out a meal that pleases everyone attending and we had a great meal.  It was a great afternoon with family, food and fun.  These are the days that make memories and if it is up to me we will spend every weekend finding some way to build those memories together.
Until next time.......

Friendships Meant To Last A Lifetime

The past couple of weekends helped remind me that true friendships last time, distance and life changes no matter what happens.  I have seen it posted and read it but it always helps to see it for yourself.  The weekend before last Kristen went down to Fort Lauderdale to visit her Aunt with her Dad.  Even though she was only there for a day and a half she was able to reach a few friends from school and past jobs in the area and took some time to catch up. After many years those conversations with those friends where like second nature.  Jumping forward to this weekend one of her friends from middle school chose to drive up here for the weekend.  No real reason other than getting out of town and visiting a friend.  This was one of Kristen's best friends during her early teens but was also one that she had lost contact with due to time and distance.  But lo and behold through FaceBook they reconnected and after 27 years they just hung out and spent the weekend together.  From the outside looking in I would have thought they spoke weekly.  They sat on the couch drinking wine or coffee or whatever and just chatted.  The similarities that there life paths had taken was uncanny.  Not necessarily their social economic levels but the core principles that their life path is based on. 
Shortly into their visit I myself headed to Fort Lauderdale for a day visit.  I literally ran down for the day leaving at 3:30am and returning home by Midnight the same day.  The trip was to help sort some things with my Dad and a quick visit with my Dad, Mom, my sisters, my nieces and shove in a little time with friends and my extended family.  Breakfast with Dad was expected and visiting with Mom came next with my sisters and nieces to follow.  As time has passed I have learned to cherish the times I get to spend with family no matter how short but it was important to me that I fit in some time for others that have come to mean just as much.  Chuck and Misty called Mom Charmae, Gram and Gramps and with the help of our mutual brother from another mother, Robert, hosted and old friend for a few hours.  It is truly amazing that conversations pick up as if you had just spoken yesterday.  No hesitation, now expectations just natural conversation with the feeling of comfort.  I am only sorry that this visit was rushed and I am looking forward to the next one sooner than later.  I have promised myself that the next visit will encompass more of those friends from the past and again I am hoping it will be sooner than later.  There are so many people in Fort Lauderdale that I want to rekindle that old friendship with and share that feeling that lasts a lifetime.
We are so lucky to not only have created these bonds but to be able to reconnect occasionally throughout the years.  I can only hope to teach my children the importance of building and nurturing these relationships.  How these special people that you surround yourself with help develop the true you.  How important it is to keep these friends in your life for they help steer you through the tough times and they are the substance that your best memories are built on.  The funny thing is. I'm sure that no matter what they do, they themselves with build those relationships, those bonds of a lifetime and probably won't even know it until many years have passed.
Until next time...... 

And here we go....

Welcome to our little section of the World Wide Web.  I have been trying to figure out a way to express myself, share my family and created a little something that my kids could look back at and maybe help them understand their crazy father.  I have tried a journal but somehow writing in a book lacks that certain something that drives me to keep it current and relevant.  Social networking sites have helped but anyone that isn't a member would not be able to partake and I'm not a big member's only type of guy.  So this year after I created our annual family newsletter I got the idea to take that electronic format a step further and create an ongoing forum to share what's going on with me and the family.  Believe me, it seems almost egotistical to think that anyone would ever want to read, let alone follow, the ramblings I may put out.  But then again everyone seems amazed that I create the newsletter that we send out each Christmas and they seem to enjoy it.  Hopefully if you choose to read this you will gain a little more insight to my family and if I can entertain you along the way, well that's a bonus.
So, it's the beginning of the New Year and I am actually really excited.  For some reason this year feels like there is so much pent up opportunity.  Hopefully, you will see us taking advantage of that excitement and choosing creative ways to have fun and make memories.  I am really looking forward to just getting out and finding ways to spend that quality time with the family whether it's geocaching, camping, biking, hiking, boating or just taking in a sunrise.  I'm not sure if I'm just getting older but I really have this internal feeling to cherish every moment with the family.  This will probably drive them crazy and fill our schedule to the brim but they will thank me for it in the long run....I think.  There is this feeling of energy to want to work even harder so that I can play even harder.  I don't know if that makes sense but I am dedicating myself to be even more productive at work so that I can have even more quality time at home.  Hopefully you have that same sense of optimism and we all enjoy a great 2011 and beyond.  Till next time.....