Happy New Year!!!

We wish each of our friends, family and readers a wonderful New Year ... I'll be seein some of you soon ... post your resolution in the comment section if you want ... I post mine tomorrow!

Chris and Judith

Spending the day and night with 2 of our closest friends ... ringing in the new year with them again!!! Dawn and I welcomed 2006 and now 2007 with Chris and Judith!

Dinner with Dawn's Parents!

New Years @ Epcot

We are spending the day ... and night at Epcot to ring in the new year with 2 million of our closest friends! We got here at 11am and will leave around 1am (taking traffic into consideration) ... I'll post a few more pictures. Here is Dawn in line to get some bubbly!

11pm and we're frostin the cake!

Dawn is having a GREAT time with this cake. We got home about 30 minutes ago from a wonderful dinner with some friends. Dawn baked a yummy red velvet cake this afternoon and she has decided to finish the frosting tonight! She looooooves this stuff ... and well, I get to eat it! Come on January 1st ... wanna know my new years resolution? My goal is to lose 20 more pounds. I lost 30 pounds for the wedding and that was not easy ... I think that if I set my sights on the 20 pound mark in 2007 it should be pretty "do-able" ... we'll see. I am sure I'll keep ya'll posted on my progress!

As I sat at dinner with some friends tonight I was reflecting on the past 2 years 8 months since I moved out to Orlando. I moved to Orlando knowing ONE person here. I moved to Orlando because it was as close to Tyler and Bryan as I could get. I was working as a manager for Sears Roebuck and this was the closest job opening they had. It took me 3 months to meet Dawn and since then every day has been better than the last. I am shocked to look back on the last 10 months (thats how long Dawn and I have lived in Celebration) and to think of all the things we are involved in. Dawn and I belong to the Task Force that is working towards taking our community to the next level and becoming an actual "City" in the state of Florida. We have met many amazing people through that effort and we are so blessed to have such friendly and welcoming families close to us.

I'll be posting some reflections over the next few days ... 2007 is going to become the "Year of Change" for Dawn and I. I'll exlain more later!!! For now ... I am going to help my wife finish this bottle of wine we have opened!

Merry Christmas my friends ... and for the ones reading this thread I dont know that well ... I wish you happiness and laughter! (I wish that for my friends too!)

Till the next post ...

Dawn at Disney World!

The carousel behind Dawn is made from ginger bread, icing and chocolate! They have a story about how many pounds it took them to make it! Dawn was soooooo excited to see this!

We have a visitor ... Bernardo being a good host!

Our friend is going to Kentucky for Christmas with her fiance and Dawn and I are the lucky ones who get to watch Tinker Bell!!! She is a bossy little 2 pound furry fluff of attitude!

Everyone say hello to Tinker Bell ... her and Bernardo are pretty cute. He tries to play with her and she barks at him. The look on his face when she barks at him is priceless ... its like "Whats her problem???"

Bernardo and Tinker Bell (Bernardo's new Girl Friend)

Bryan behaving at Best Buy!

The 3 pancake breakfast probably was not the best idea right before we took them to Best Buy to pick out their christmas presents!!! I have heard about bouncing off the walls before but these 2 kids are out of ccontrol ... I told Bryan that he needs to settle down a bit so here he is "relaxing" ... thought I would capture this picture ... of Bryan actually not moving!!! We are having a blast in Pensacola!!! On our way to the movies now!

Click on this picture and look at the score!

The Seals are just making the Jacksonville Baracudas look like a high school girls hockey team! Now, I know that there are great high school teams out there ... but they are in high school. The Seals are unstoppable tonight ... its great to watch this spanking!!! Go Seals!!!

Visiting the area where Dawn grew up!

The deer run free in Yosemite Lakes Park ... Dawn is giving me the $5.00 tour of where she grew up.

Driving out to Fresno!

If you dont know where Fresno is ... consider yourself lucky. If you want to know ... Mapquest it. We are heading out to spend some time with Dawn's grandma, Dawn's god daughter, her best friend from high school and a friend of mine for her birthday ... Happy Birthday Cindy! I hope you all are doing well today, I'll post more later, when we pick up Paige (Dawn's god daughter) ... she is a cutie!

I know its bright!!!

Its the best we could do ... here we are enjoying the Sharks loss to the Colorado Avalanche!!! Oh well ... lots of season left ... We'll get a playoff spot!!! Go Sharks!

10 minutes left ... 3 points behind!

Sharks are having a tough time tonight ... they are missing the "Pop" they usualy show when they dominate! Go Sharks!!! Never give up!

Grier about to shoot a penalty shot!

He missed ... if you were wondreing ... Sharks trail ... 3 - 2 ... lots of Hockey left though ... Go Sharks!

SJ Sharkie payed someone a visit!

I have some pretty cool pictures of the Sharks mascot SJ Sharkie giving Dawn her birthday presents!!! I'll post them up tomorrow!

I wanna drive the zamboni!

Preparing the ice .... 15 minutes till face off ... I know I just said 2 minutes ... but that was the practice countdown timer. This time I really mean it ... 15 minutes till face off!!! Go Sharks!

Its Sharks Hockey!!!

Warm up ... pre-game! Two minutes till face off ... God I love this game!

And we start the evening...

Thought we would grab a quick beer before the Sharks game ... headed to the tank in a few minutes!

The start of Dawn's birthday dinner!

Happy 30 Somthingish to Dawn!!!

Today is my wife's birthday!!! This birthday is exremely special to me for many reasons.

1. She is my wife now! This is the first time in our relationship that I am celebrating my wife's birthday. *grin*

2. We are celebrating it in California - Dawn and I both lived and worked in the Bay Area. I grew up just one hour from where we are (San Jose, Ca for those reading that dont know where I am this week) ... we visited my parents this past week, some very close friends and we are 15 minutes away from the San Jose Shark Tank ... (where the Sharks play hockey)

3. This is the first year in our relationship that I am spending Dawn's birthday WITH HER!!! Thats right ... the past 2 birthdays Dawn has had, we have not been together. Dawn's company holds a HUGE global meeting every year during the first week of December! The past 2 years I have had jobs that did not allow me to travel so I had to wish her a happy birthday over the phone ... this year ... WE ARE TOGETHER!!!

Ok ... so now that I am done gushing. Tonight I am taking her to a nice cute french restaurant in San Francisco, then we'll probably drive around downtown for a bit and head home. Its going to be a great night ... Dawn has no clue that I have done up a flower spread, some presents and I just addded an Olive and Cheese plate to the mix!!!

I just want Dawn to know that I love her with all my heart ... she is the best thing that has happened to me in a long long time. I am looking forward to spending many many more birthdays with her!!!

If you get a chance ... drop her a line and wish her a happy birthday. If you dont have her email address, leave her a comment here on the blog.

I hope everyone is doing well and happy. I'll post more tomorrow about how dinner was and our evening! Plus - I'll tell ya about our plans for tomorrow night! Here is a hint - I am going to a Sharks game with Dawn tomorrow night!!! *snicker*

Till the next post ...

I love this city!

I grew up about 25 miles north of here ... I will always consider this city "home" ... Every time I come back to visit I am reminded how much San Francisco means to me. If you have never visited San Francisco I would highly recomend planning a nice 3 or 4 day weekend. There is so much to do, and if you do plan on coming out let me know and I'll give you some highlights you cant miss! I took this picture after I met a couple friends for lunch ... I'll be taking Dawn to dinner here tomorrow night for her birthday. I'll let you all know how the night goes!

Cakebread Barrel Room!

The Wager - The Win!!!

Lindley and I made a bet last year during the NHL playoffs ... I swept all 4 rounds including a miracle come from behind win in game 7 of the finals. Well - the bet was for the 1998 V. Sattui Cab Sav!!! Its in limited release now since they are down to the last few cases and I have a bottle that Brian and I will be sharing next time I am out in LA!

The Best Wine in Napa!

4th winery down ... 2 more to go! V. Sattui is by far my favorite place to sip yummy wine and grab a quick bite to eat! Having a great time up here ... the weather is amazing!

My new wallpaper

Ya think Dawn will let me paper a room with Lagunitas beer labels???

Lagunitas Brewery - The Best Beer!

I was told they dont do tours on Saturdays ... imagine my surprise when I drive up to the brewery and meet the brewmaster who invites Dawn and I into the brewery to drink delicious beer ... right off the line! Don't hate me Brian Lindley ... Dawn and I toasted to you!!!

Go West Young Man!

Dawn and I are heading to California tomorrow (Friday Dec 1st) ... which is also the same day that my company launches!!! Thats right ... MY OWN COMPANY!!! Not sure if you remember the post where I had posted this picture, but this is the first "product" for my company! Actually, my friend Lee Moore and I started this company about 6 months ago. I have been working non stop for the past 3 months on our website, press releases, partnerships, clients!!! Thats right ... we have clients!!! So, here is the down low on my new adventure.

Instead of explaining it to you ... check out our website www.individui.com ... our company name "Individui" is an Italian word that very loosly translated means "To locate and individual." Our company is based on the premise that everyone carries a cell phone these days and shouldnt information be available on those mobile devices? You'll see on our website where we are going with this. So click on the link and take a look at what I have been up to!!! Oh Yea ... if you have money and want to invest just shoot me an email!!!

Ok ... back to the trip!!! Dawn has business meetings ALL next week. Which also happens to be her birthday (Wednesday Dec 6th) ... every year her company has week long meetings the first week of Dec and the 3 years Dawn and I have been together I have YET to spend a birthday with her. This year I get to celebrate with her!!! I am very happy ... So, we leave tomorrow and come home on Dec 11th! Its going to be a GREAT trip ... very packed! We land in San Francisco Friday afternoon, hit up downtown for a bit and then we are meeting my parents and my grandma for dinner at Scoma's in Sausalito. Dawn and I are staying with my folks over the weekend. Saturday we head out early in the morning for breakfast and then a quick hop over to the Petaluma Cheese Factory for a tour and tasting! Yummy Cheese!!! ha ha. After that we hit Petaluma for lunch and then scoot up to Santa Rosa so I can show Dawn one of the places I have lived and where I use to hang out! I am hoping to meet up with some old friends while I am up there.

On Sunday, we are doing breakfast again and then setting sail for Napa!!! Do a little wine tasting and some Christmas Shopping!!! My friend Kelly Eicher is going to meet us in Napa to enjoy the day with us!

Sunday night Dawn and I head to San Jose where she will get ready to work and prepare for her meetings. Me ... I have a full schedule of lunches with friends and monitoring my website for traffic and maybe find some West Coast clients who want to use our serivces!!! Wish me luck!

Thursday evening Dawn and I are hitting the San Jose Sharks hockey game ... they are playing the Avalanche and if you know me ... those are my 2 most favoritest teams! We are VERY excited to see this game. Friday morning we high tail it to Fresno to visit Dawn's grandma and god daughter on Saturday we are meeting up with another friend of ours for dinner and her birthday celebration (Happy Birthday Cindy!!!)

Sunday we head back to the Bay Area and I get on a plane Monday morning to come back home!!!

I'll be throwing up some random pictures now and again ... so keep checking back!!! Would you believe that I also have a company blog started ... YES, can you believe it??? ha ha

http://individui.blogspot.com

Have a wonderful day!!!

Can you guess which unit is ours?

Quick Video for you all - Merry Christmas!

Can you find the hidden Mickey Head in this array of lights?

Disney likes to hide Mickey heads in everthing it does ... in this picture there is a "hidden Mickey head" ... if you see it ... leave a comment!!!

More lights!!!

Disney MGM festival of lights

Over 5 million lights used here ... google Disney's Osborne family festival of lights! These pictures dont do it justice ... its absolutely amazing how many Christmas lights they have here.

More Hockey???

Oh yes ... last night the Seals almost won, I am sure tonight will be an eventful match ... My money says the coach last night laid into them in th locker room!!! I hear he is yeller! Go Seals ... check them out ... www.floridaseals.com

I am pleased to announce the arrival of ...

Jaden Raymond Lindley

Here he is ... Brian and Michelle and Madeline are the proud parents (and big sister) to Jaden ... pronounce Jay-den!!!

As most of you know, and the rest will learn right now - Brian is my best friend. Brian and I have been friends since we met back in 1993. Brian's daughter, Madeline, was in my wedding to Dawn last month!

Today, while I was out and about, shopping at Lowes I received a text message on my phone from Brian stating "Its go time" ... my heart skipped, my stomach turned (due to the fact that Jaden's due date is suppose to be in 5 weeks!!!) and I did a little happy dance!!! He texted me back about 20 minutes later saying "Its go time - Emergency C-Section" ... I was giddy with anticipation knowing that my buddy was going to have his first son in his arms before the end of the day!

Brian sent me his online photo album of Jaden's first few hours in the hospital and the picture you see above encapsulates the whole experience!!!

Brian is the proud papa of Jaden ... his first son!!! Congrats Brian - I love you my friend!!! I know what your feeling right now and my only suggestion is to cherish it.

Your Friend

Bill

One more ... its a great fireworks show!

Hope you enjoy!

Fireworks in Celebration Florida!

Founders Day in Celebration ... gotta have a fireworks show ... its our 10th anniversary! Pretty soon we hope to be a real Florida city!!!

2 other guys I gotta worry about!

Did I mention that deep down inside Dawn is an 8 year old at heart! You should see her face light up when she sees the characters! These chipmuncks will try to steal her ... I had to fight them off with a stick!

Dawn's New Man!!!

Should I be jealous? ha ha ... These Cirque Du Soleil performers get all the chicks!

What is this that I have before me?

Stay tuned for future updates ... these signs are just the beginning!

Some new pictures from the Honeymoon!

Its been a while since I posted some pictures from the Honeymoon ... I reduced some of the better pictures last night so I can upload them to my website. Well, I was thinking today ... why wait. Throw some of the good ones on the blog now!!! So here ya go!

Did I show you all the one of the Chef who came to prepare our dinner at our table on the cruise! Yes Sir ... it was some kinda chicken dish that was "OH MY GOD" Good ... not sure the name of it, but wow, very tasty!!! Oh yea, dont we look good too? For those of you that were there and if you remember, Dawn is wearing the gorgeous outfit she wore to my best friends wedding in Portland, Oregon - Brian and Michelle Lindley.


Here is a picture I took in Rome that I thought was pretty cool. Dawn and I were walking down an alley to see the forums and I saw this guard standing in a hallway that went through to another courtyard. It was so amazing thinking back to when all this was new and the people milling around in the day. How beautiful everything must have been, so ornate. The artistry with the stonework is incredible.













Here is a picture I took in Palermo of a persons balcony. This was above the open air market that ran for about 10 - 15 blocks. If you remember back in one of the previous posts of the huge fish being cut ... this is down the street from there.


This picture is of the front of the Vatican ... this is from the square looking up to the front where the Pope comes out to wave to the crowds and send blessings down. The 90 minutes Dawn and I spent in there was incredible ... the frescos, the Sistine Chapel, the Basilica ... everything was amazing. It sucks because I am running out of adjectives to describe these buildings and what we saw, but the words just dont do it any justice.


If you ever get a chance to visit Rome for a few days, take the opportunity and also call Remo at www.driverinrome.com ... Daniele or Remo will give you a tour of the city only a local can give you. Worth every penny, and when Dawn and I go back to Rome ... we will be calling Remo!!! OK - more pictures!!!!



Here is the ship Dawn and I were on ... this was the day after we left. We were staying in Nice France for 4 days after the cruise and the day after we got off the ship their next port of call was Nice!!! So we walked over to the port and took a picture of the ship!!! I know, we are geeks! ha ha




Sunset on the French Riviera ... Not much more to say about this picture! If you like it ... let me know!!!















Here is a small port in Bastia (which is on the island of Corsica) ... Dawn and I were walking around this place and enjoying the streets and the stores ... we found a meat store that had meat just hanging on the walls and other meat in baskets on a bench!!! Yea, we bought some meat there. It seems like every other store here was a wine store or sold meats and cheese! Below is a picture of the meat store!



The picture does not do it justice ... we walked into this store and they had wine and cheese up front. This bench was in the back ... we stood there and looked amazed at the raw meat hanging here. A lady came in and ordered probably 1/2 a pound of something hanging ... the guy running the place trimmed off the fat, chopped it with the knife you see there, wrapped it in wax paper and off she went!!! If it was good enough for her ... its good enough for us!!! They had some meat vacuum sealed ... we have not had any yet ... but I am sure its delicious!





Here is a picture from Eze France ... this place was a fortified castle built on top of a hill on the coast of the French Riviera ... the inhabitants who lived there started building next to the castle and during the height of occupancy 400 people were crammed into this city. There are 2 hotels here in Eze ... they look pretty fancy so if your going to stay here, your going to pay!!!

OK ... time for dinner, I hope you all enjoy these pictures and I'll post more another time!!!

Good night friends.