Christmas Day Part II

Couple more pictures - Marco really liked this ball pit. He played in it a lot - Diego loved the slot car track, Antonio played his Wii Lego Batman game WAY too long and Brianna crashed out in her new chair.

The complete Photo Album is located here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/rjohnst3/Christmas2008?feat=directlink

Christmas Day 2008

The kids got up around 6:45AM - not bad considering they went to bed around 11PM last night. We had a very nice time opening presents - I think Santa did pretty good this year - everyone seemed very happy.

Christmas Eve

Great day. Started with a ride around Lake Monroe with Andrew and Eddie with a stop for coffee on when we got back. Then we rested in the afternoon, and went to Church at 5:30PM - Belinda set up the hospitality table with Shelly. Lots of goodies. We then went to the Hazelton's - friends down the street. VERY nice spread of food, treats, and cocktails! Just what we needed to close out a wonderful day!

Bucs VS Chargers

The Ford Partnership with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued today. We gave away another Ford Focus during half time. My marketing contact with the Bucs offered to have me bring the kids to the game and on to the field pre-game - easy anser - YES. We had a good time watching both the teams warm up. The game didn't turn out real good for Tampa Bay - they got blown away. Looks like it's time to re-group for next year?

Christmas in Florida

Well, if you live up north - you may want to just ignore this post. I realize the weather you are dealing with this week - sorry. I pray that the freezing rain you are having will bring a white Christmas rather than an icy Christmas. It's 80, sunny, and no humidity here. Just beautiful. We have wasted none of it. I even raked leaves in the yard and cleaned out the garage yesterday just for an excuse to be outside. Here are a few pics of us enjoying the weather.

Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby Building

I had my Cub Scouts Den over to the house on Monday night. Belinda made a great meal complete with a holiday cake for desert. We worked on Derby cars in the garage.

Day out with the Boys

Rode to Daytona VIA Osteen Diner last Saturday. Nice day - 41 degrees when we left, but got up to 65 and sunny. We looked at the new Ducati's at Destination Daytona and also test rode one of the new Aprilia's while our friend Marco got new Saddle Bags for his Moto Guzzi.

It was an interesting bike - 750CC nake with an automatic Transmission - kind of like riding a high powered scooter.

Holiday's in Florida

Well, it's December. It's cool out - but not cold. We have been to at least 5 Christmas gatherings so far this season and have had a great time. Last Friday night, we went to the Lake Mary City Center and saw Santa. The park is decorated very nicely. Being from the great white north, I always find it humorous when I see a palm tree with Christmas lights on it.

Last night, santa came to our neighborhood block party and gave out some treats. Today, we had the Cub Scouts Holiday party at the local bowling alley. This is always a treat because it's tradition in our pack that the top selling scout gets to throw a pie in the Cub Masters face at the annual holiday party. This years top selling scout was Matthew Bukar, a boy in my Webelo I den - he sold over $2,300 worth of popcorn - not bad!

Buccaneers VS Saints - Bucs win!

We (Ford) held a 2009 F-150 Launch event at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game today. We had a tailgate party with vehicle displays, interactive consumer games, giveaways, free Coca Cola products, and a live band - One Night Rodeo - they rocked! We also had Earnest Graham and Shelton Quarles signing autographs. I got to pick up Earnest and Sheldon in the player parking lot in the Buccaneer Flex and shuttle them to the Ford Display - I took the kids with me. They thought it was pretty cool to meet an NFL running back and former Linebacker. Earnest is currently on Injured Reserve with a foot injury - Shelton retired in 2007 after 10 years with the Bucs. It was a fun day - the Bucs won - and are now 9-3 on the season and having a great year!

Great Florida Winter Day

70 Degrees, Sunny, clear Sky - what a day! Belinda went shopping all night long - left at 11:30PM Thursday - came back at 11am Friday - crazy. She did a great job though. I got up early and helped the kids decorate the house - more on that later.

Around 4PM I went for a motorcycle ride with Andrew, Bob, and Eddie. We took one of our favorite rides - out to the west of Orlando in South Lake County. Hills and twisting roads are rare in Florida - but that part is actually full of great roads around Montverde, Lake Apopka, Howie in the hills, and Suger Loaf Mountain, which is the highest point in central Florida. We stopped at Boondocks in Howie and the Hills on Lake Harris for dinner. It was Friday Fish Fry - very good!

Tiger Growl 2008 Scout Camping

Diego, Antonio, and myself went to Camp La No Che , the Central Florida Boy Scouts of America Scout Reserve last Saturday for a campout. La No Che is a great place for the kids. They have all the fun activities set up and ready for the boys - bb gun shooting, archery, crafts, etc. It was a cool night, it got down to 39 degrees - but we were prepared and really had a good time. Rob Casler made chicken and dumplins in his dutch oven cast iron pot. VERY YUMMY!

Video - Lap 1 from the Yates #28 Pit

I watched the first 50 laps or so from the pits. It's interesting to see all the action behind the pit wall. Also, every pit box has a flat panel TV with stats and the broadcast so you always know what's going on. This video was taken from the #28 Pit (Travis Kvapil).

Ford Champ Weekend Videos

More Video. This is post pit stop inspection in David Ragan's pit of the tires.

Winners Circle Video's From Ford Champ Weekend

Ford 400 - Carl is the Man

Well, going into the last race of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Carl Edwards had to do a few things to lock up the Championship. He had to lead the most laps, and win the race. Well, he did just that. Unfortunately, Jimmie Johnson had to do something too - finish worse than 36th which he didn't do. Oh well, Carl won 9 races in 2008 - he is on his way to greatness in the sport and with the determination he has showed lately, he will win a few Championships in his career I am sure.

Once again, we found ourselves in the winners circle taking pictures. It was fun - Thanks to Tim Duerr at Ford Racing for a fun weekend!

Ford 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Race - Pre Race

Sunday was picture perfect. Sunny clear weather with temps in the 70's. I spent some time in the Ford Display area today, then ran over to the hospitality area to greet several dealership employees we were hosting. Then, I made it back to the infield just in time to attend the Drivers Meeting. VERY COOL! It's neat to see the inner workings of a NASCAR Race.

After the drivers meeting, I went back to the Ford Motorcoach for lunch. For the past 10 years, Steve Van Hauten has been traveling the country for about 36 weekends a year with the Ford Coach as it serves as an office on wheels for Ford Racing. At special events like Ford Championship Weekend, Steve cooks 3 squares a day - some really good grub for all the workers, Ford Drivers, Sponsors - basically anyone who wants to stop by and mooch some food (people like me basically).

Once I was nice and stuffed from lunch, I headed over to the driver intro area to watch the pre-race festivities.

Ford Championship Weekend - Ford 300

The dealer at Wayne Akers Ford, Al Young, is also our South Florida Ford Dealer Advertising Boards Chairman. Al is a great guy - he works hard in the business and is a strong supporter of Ford Motor Company. He has tons of enthusiasm and gave a very passionate speach to the crowd prior to the start of the NATIONWIDE Series race.

Carl Edwards drives the #60 Car in the Nationwide Series. He came in to the race a few points behind Clint Bowyer for the Championship. Carl had to win the race and Clint would have to have a bad race for him to win. Well, Carl won the race, but, Clint also ran a good race. Not too bad. However, you could sense the dissapointment in Carl and his team - they were so close to that Championship - one that Carl won last year.

Tim had all the Ford people at the race come up to the winners circle for photo's with Carl. He took the time to shake everyones hand and say thanks to Ford for the opportunity and also to apologize for not winning the Championship - Carl - please, nice, but not necessary!