Thousand Trails Employee Dinner

Last night was the Thousand Trails Employee Christmas dinner. They served all sorts of pasta's including, fettuccine, lasagna, rigatoni, veal parmesan, and sausage with onions and peppers. Every single dish was absolutely wonderful. My brother and his boss Becky cooked it all and defiantly over did themselves . We all sat and ate and talked and had a wonderful time! The more we are here the more we are becoming friends with more and more people and the staff here really is like one big family. We like it here a lot more than we thought we would and it is great. In other news not to much going on apart from Thousand Trails things. One new thing that did happen is that we got a new dog named Ava. We are not completely sure what breed she is but she is a very sweet dog and is as cute as can be! She was a early Christmas gift for the family. I also received a new cell phone from my Sister as a early Christmas gift which I am also enjoying very much! We are beginning to feel the holidays upon us and hope everyone else is to!

Here is Everyone Enjoying the Delicious meals


And here is our new dog Ava!

Second Orlando happy hour!

Tonight was the second happy hour this winter here in Orlando. It was hosted by Richard and Diane Mattsen who decided to host said happy hour last minute. They were great hosts and we thank you. Today was also Rich's (Pagliaro) birthday and he and Dee came for a while then went out to eat. Tomorrow is the Christmas dinner thousand trails is having. I cannot believe Christmas is almost here. I am looking forward to Christmas and the new year and for more friends to arrive in FL. I hope everyone is staying warm and are looking forward to the holidays!


Here we have (left to right) Vicki, Bob, Dee,Mira,Rene,Rich.

First Happy Hour in Orlando!!

Last night was our first happy hour in Orlando! After Jack & Diane arrived we knew it would not be long before a happy hour! So after me asking if and when a happy hour could be arranged Diane picked the warmest day of the week and set the date! We had a great time talking, eating, and drinking! It is so great to be surrounded by such nice and loving friends for the holiday season. I cannot wait until the next happy hour and would like to thank Diane for hosting this one and inviting us!

We Are Settled!

We have settled down In Thousand Trails Clermont FL for about a year and a half until I leave home. My brother Aric got a job working in the store here. And we are pretty excited for many reasons. One is My Brother and I And hopefully My Dad are getting motorcycles. That of which I am sure will bring forth new adventures. Another thing Is we all plan on working which should be another new adventure. My dad already has a job interview at a law firm for a job and my mom thinks she has job lined up and my brother already has one and I am still hunting. But I sure soon enough we will all have a job which will be something new (Mostly for Me). My parents are having a harder time of the thought of not traveling then my brother and I, Hopefully they will adjust to it okay. I hope we have some new activities and adventures here for me to blog about.

Living life in one place!

Florida Here We Come!

Today we left from Outdoor World in Williamsburg VA and are Florida bound! We have been traveling in the truck or at least 10 hours and have a ways to go. This stretch to Florida is are last trip for 2010. We are even planning on staying in Peace River for the whole winter and not go to Clermont but nothing is set in stone. As for now I think most of us are all excited to get some sun and see some familiar faces. But for now no pickle ball for me and no seeing familiar faces or anything for that matter. We went to the Eye Doctor yesterday and found out I have a eye infection. It is not contagious but I cannot wear contact lenses for a week and I do not own glasses and the were not able get some before we left. So I can not only not play any pickle ball and I have trouble just getting around. But just being back in FL and getting some fun and sun should be great!

New york!

Last week we moved from MI to NY. This is are first time staying in the RV in new york. My parents and Aric have been to the New York City on a Business trip and i have driven trough NY on our way to Maine, it is cool to be staying here for the first time for me. We are doing a job here so are not getting to see any of the New York wonders. Luckily we go see Niagara falls next week. Then another job and then to Chesapeake Bay. We are enjoying having cable TV at this campground since my Dad is gone with the truck all day there is a lot of free time with no where to go and the internet is spotty. We are having a calm week until a fun filled next week and i know there will be some great posts and pictures coming up soon.

Cellina, Ohio

Right now we are in Celina Ohio doing a job my dad got for this next week. It is a pretty nice area and we are close to town which is nice. Yesterday we went to the fair in a near by town and saw The British Invasion which is a Beatles cover band. It was fun and the band was pretty good I say "pretty good" because they did not come close to The Fab Four another Beatles cover band my Dad and I saw last year. But none the less they were fun to watch and Aric and I got a kick out of them. This upcoming Sunday we head to Michigan and get to pick up my oldest sister and she is staying with us for a week. I am very exited to do that and I will also get to see my family on my Mom's side which i do not see very often. I think it will be very fun I am looking forward to it.

Were in Vermont!

It has been way to long since my last post. I just spent about a month with my Aunt and Uncle in Virginia. After that i went back to the RV and we went from PA to VT and we have been here in Springfield VT for about a week. My parents have started a new job to do with advertisement on the campground maps and so far it is going well. I have done a lot since my last post but to much to write. As for the last week we have just been hanging out. As for now we do not know where we are going next. Unfortunately not much on this post but i intend to start blogging again. So stay tuned and until next time enjoy your summers!

Pickleball Tournament at Chesapeake Bay

Yesterday was the first annual Memorial Day pickleball tournament at Thousand trails Chesapeake bay Va. It was such a great day. The way it was set up was that you signed up with a partner instead of having a different one every game. I signed up with Karen and i liked having the same partner every game a lot better. Mike and Michelle hosted the whole thing a did a great job with it. The "Bracket" system confused the heck out of me but Michelle did it great. We knew most of the players there but saw some new faces. As far as the teams in our family went it was, My mom and my Aunt Diana, My dad and Uncle Daryl, My brother and John who he had just met that day and Karen and I.

Aric played great. He and his partner took first in their bracket.

My mom and Aunt Diana took second in their bracket.

My dad and Uncle Daryl took First in their bracket.

And Karen and I played against Jack and Diane in the championship game which was the final game that everyone watched. It was pretty nerve racking for all of us but it was a really good game. In the end Jack and Diane took the place of runner up in the Championship bracket which means Karen and I were the overall champions. I had a blast and could not believe Karen and I took 1st and the Biggest trophy of all. A thanks to Karen for playing with me and played very very well i might add i really cannot thank her enough. And thanks to Rich who helped me learn to play the game a lot better this past winter. And thanks to everyone who has helped me over the time i have been playing the game. What a day of fun!

Back to Back Busch Gardens

The past two days have been filled with Busch Gardens. For those of you who have never heard of Busch Gardens it is a huge theme park filled with fun shows,rides and huge roller coasters. The first day the whole family went and Aric and I forked off from my parents and did the roller coasters. The second day Aric and I went back without our parents. It was fun but about half a hour into the day i lost my mom's phone. We went on the rest of the day doing our fun stuff and retraced our steps along the way and went to lost and found and filled out a lost phone slip with all our info. Today we are going back for day three for a thing called "ramp jam" it is a BMX bike riding show. We will be sure to ask at lost and found if they found the phone since yesterday. But if they have not that won't stop us from having fun!

Happy Birthday Daryl!

Today was Daryl's birthday as to how old he is i will not say because everyone will be jealous of his looks at his age. Yesterday we had a birthday party for him and my dad due to the fact my dad's birthday is May 1st there fore might as well kill two bird with one stone. It was a fun party we had steak and potato skins and soda and cake and it was great. Today on Daryl's actual birthday him and his family went out and about and then tonight we played pickle ball with him and my Aunt. I would also like to add a lot has happened such as this since my last blog including a cook out with Dean and Margie, Hanging out with Daryl and Diana and a lot of pickle ball. But i am getting back on top of the blog! And once again Happy birthday to Daryl!

On the road again

Today we are on the road heading from TT Orlando FL to Summertone SC. We just got on the road again and getting up early after staying up late was not fun. Saying goodbye to Zoe was not very fun either. But being out on the open road does give me that good feeling that were back out again after such a long winter season in FL. We will be in SC for little while then we have to be in VA on May 2nd for a previous engagement. Until then we will enjoy the open road again!

The cat's out of the bag

Yes the cat's out of the bag well should I say the cat's out of the RV. Yes yesterday we departed the last of all three of our cat's. I really miss them and it has only been one day. All though I may have not cared for them as much as the rest of the family I think they Made the RV feel more homily.But coco is still hear and she is good so she will have to do.

Far to long

Yes it has been far to long since my last post but sadly nothing new to blog about. Still had fun with Zoe and her family. Did a lot of Disney with them and just a lot of hanging out. We just got back down to peace river and the Evans should be here in a few days. We plan to do some cool stuff here in Peace river with them therefore I should have some good blogging materiel. Also we are heading out of Florida pretty soon so that should as well be good blogging materiel. Until then we are playing pickleball and having a great time!

Sunday drive!

This last week I got what I have been waiting for since the moment I turned 15. My driving permit! Yes I passed the test we went to the DMV and all is said and done and I have my driving permit! So the second day after getting it my dad allowed me to take a stroll just around the camp ground. I soon learned that driving a 10,000 pound dually is nothing like the only other vehicle I have ever driven which was a geo metro. Big difference between the two. So today my dad returned the U-haul we rented for moving some stuff in our storage unit. After which he diced I could drive home. It was really fun and I think I did ok. The biggest thing was keeping the truck in one lane and how much you have to turn the wheel to get it to turn. Again nothing like a car. But it was fun and I can't wait to hit the road again!

New roommate!

The Showalters have a new member! Or should i say revived a old member. Today my older brother Aric moved back in with us. He is going to take 6 to 12 months and travel the east coast with us this year. He just moved in today and it's nice to have him back. He is a very funny guy so within a hour of being back we saw he has not lost a bit of his sense of humor! On top of that my aunt and cousin Diana and Lauren flew in today. They are here to do fun things with us including Bush Gardens! I am still having problems missing Zoe and the Evans and other friends at the last campground but we will see them again soon enough! But i'm glad i have some compensation, which of course is my family.

Sea world!

Yesterday we went to sea world and had a fantastic time! We went with my aunt and two cousin's and invited my friend Zoe. Me and my oldest cousin and Zoe broke off to go have some fun doing a bunch of stuff. Then we went and had lunch and then me and Zoe went off to the roller coaster's. One was shut down for the day but we rode the other two. They were a lot of fun and i'm glad i had a friend to ride with me to! Then Zoe had to meet up with her Grandpa so she left. We hung out a little longer. Then left and went to pick up my uncle and went out to eat! We went to O' Charlies and it was good! I ordered homemade strawberry lemonade and was so thirsty i drank four glasses! They were so good and the waitress brought me out the last two at the same time. She said so i didn't have to wait for a refill. It was a great day!

Surprise!!!

Today was my 15th birthday, and i got a surprise party! I woke up and went and hung out with my friend's Zoe, Auvi and Justice. At about 1 or 2 o clock they said we should go to my RV. So we did and as soon as we got close to our RV i saw my aunt and uncles van. So i knew they were there. And when we got closer i saw a banner. And was ready for a big surprise from 5 to 10 people. I turned the corner and a huge surprise from 25 or more people! My aunt and uncle and cousin's. Every FOTR in the park and some drove to our park just for the party. I was blown. And then stayed up all night with friend's and it was a blast!

And thanks to everyone!

Disney!

Today i went to Disney! A lot of fun, we got a year pass for me for my early birthday present! I went with the loud family's two teenage daughters Zoe and Auvi. And one of the teen's from the rally Justice came too. Tons of fun we hit a lot of rides and a couple shows but i had a blast!

It's all over!

Yes it's true the FOTR rally is over! I'm so upset that it did not last longer because it was so fun. But we are now in Thousand Trails Orlando. And we have family coming and the loud family is in the park for a long time. So the fun is not over. Great rally though thanks to everyone who ran it and got it together! Can't wait until next year!

Movie night!

Last night a bunch of FOTR teens had a movie night. It was a lot of fun! We watched "O Brother, Where Art Thou". It was a great movie. We watched it because i was talking to one of the teens Auvi and telling her my favorite movies and most of my favorites where hers. So she said since you like those movies and i like movies you will like this movie. And she was right! about 10 give or take teens all in the living room of the loud family's 5th wheel.The movie was great and we ended up being their till past midnight! Today is the last day. So i got to get off this blog and go have fun!

Ready for the FOTR rally!!

Today we arrived at Jetty park in Cape Canaveral, FL for the FOTR rally. For some of you saying what is FOTR? It is Families on the road, families like us that travel on the road. And the rally is just a bunch of us getting together and having fun. They hold quite a few rally's but this will be our first. And were excited! The rally does not start until tomorrow but we came in a day early so very few families are here. So tomorrow the families will be coming in and the rally will begin and well I'm sure there will be post's. So wish us luck!

Bad bowling day!

My first upset blog! Today i went and bowled again. My mom and dad didn't go this time, just me. So I went and bowled my first game and it was okay. My second and third turned out to not be any better! I thought for sure i would warm up and do better. But i did bad today. But still had a good time and was happy at how good Stan did. Better luck next week!

Happy new year!!!

Happy new year to you all! I hope your year was as good as mine. This past year was a great year for me. I had some bad time's but all in all it was a great year. I want to thank all my friends and family. Everyone at pickle ball this winter and last for being so nice. And all the other nice people I've met at the parks. And when i thought i was going to go crazy this summer, I want to thank my uncle and aunt Daryl & Diana for going out west with us. And being so nice and thoughtful and full of love along the way. And I want to say to all my family i love you. And to all my friends i thank you for being kind. I hope 2010 is just as good as 2009 and can meet even more friends and see more family!

Happy 2010 !