February 28, 2010

Today we got some surprise hang time with my old friend E.J. Smith and his lovely family.  

E.J. and I go WAY back to my Alabama days. 

 He was a worship leader at our home church, then moved to California and started his family. (wife Christina, daughter Chloe, and son Colin)  

We get lucky every once in a while because his wife Christina's family lives in Orlando, so they get to come to visit!  Today, after they visited church with us, we had a fun-filled, yummy lunch at Tijuana Flats!  Then we headed over to Maitland Park to enjoy the pretty afternoon.   

Oh, looks like Colin is getting a call on his cell phone...  

Well, hello there Elmo!  How are you?  (he is so cute!!) 

February 27, 2010

Twice a year, Z88.3 gathers a large group of listeners and tests all our music to see what we need to play more, play less or not play at all.  It is a LOT of fun for all involved and is crucial to what we do. In case you ever wondered what it looks like... here is a behind the scenes look! 

Z88.3 staff gathers in a separate room to watch the results come in LIVE as it happens.

The large screen shows the lines of different age groups and the total group go Up or Down depending on the song. 

Two different groups participate in the test and have LOADS of fun listening to nearly 400 song clips and other radio segments! 

If you work in radio and want to know more about the process, Alan Mason at Good Ratings would love to help you out.   :)

February 26, 2010

It is one Wild Friday Night in our house!! WHOOHOO!  

We did not just watch TV, we watched Women's CURLING!  

The only Olympic sport where a bunch of Moms stand around and chat, then slide teapots on the ice and sweep all around them. 

Sweden and Canada moms in the Gold medal round!

Canada's big superstar is Benard. She is looks like a cross between Reba and Shania Twain, but can "throw a great rock!" 

She is so focused.  Think it is probably because of her amazingly high eyebrows. 

Canada pulls ahead....

The crowd goes wild! (sort of) 

wow.  it is only 8pm and suddenly I am exhausted.  I will have to TIVO the rest of this and watch it later to see who won.  :)

February 25, 2010

Tonight, the family went out to dinner at House Of Blues and hung out at Downtown Disney with my friend Chris Chicago and his lovely wife Jess and son Aiden who are in town visiting from Nashville.  

Even though he is a Bama fan... I think Chris is pretty awesome!

Aiden is FULL of personality and spirit!  We loved walking and running around with him! 

Aiden and Eli are BUDDIES!!!

What fun to watch a great dad, love on his son. 

Good food, great company, cool, but wonderful Florida night.

February 24, 2010

On my way home. I thought this was the Sunshine State?! It's cold
and rainy. :(

February 23, 2010

Eli's got some hair! I was trying to help him find a new look... 

We'll keep trying. ;)

February 22, 2010

Curly rocks his stories old-school, using pencil and paper.
Yeah, that's how he rolls!  

Read what he writes (and see the art & photos that Shorty does)
at http://CurlyAndShorty.blogspot.com 

February 21, 2010

Sunday Funday.   

We started with a family brunch at our favorite breakfast spot, First Watch! 

Then got grabbed the dog and headed to enjoy a gorgeous sunny day in the park! 

Sing it with me ...
"One of these things is not like the others, One of these things just doesn't belong. Can you tell me which thing is not like the others, by the time I finish this song?"

I'm not sure why that car was there, but we very much enjoyed stumbling upon a gathering of Model A car club (about 40 of the most amazing vehicles I have seen in years) at a local park. There were lots of old men who could not wait to tell us all about the differences between the different models.  :)

February 20, 2010

The many different entertaining sleeping positions of Bailey.

This one is the most common. Head down, paws together, back feet tucked up under her butt.  Looks like she is diving. 

This is her impression of a Pointer or hunting dog. 

This is her couch potato veg. Flat on her back and getting as much lovin as possible! 

This is my favorite.  This is her Fosbury Flop pose (google it if you are too young or have never heard of it) 

February 19, 2010

Found these old family photos. Love how skinny we all were (not many skinny pics of me these days), but I mostly LOVE LOVE LOVE the fact that my brother, who now lives, eats and breathes Auburn Football, is seen here proudly sporting his Alabama Crimson Tide gear because then he was a HUGE Bama fan! Love you bro, but there are no shots of ME in Bama gear! Bad haircuts, 80's styles and other nightmares, but no Bama stuff. :)

February 18, 2010

Today was a good music day in a lot of ways.  

First, I started by really enjoying the upcoming CD from the band STARFIELD called The Saving One. It is coming out next week, and is an amazing collection of modern worship!  This is worth getting!

Then, new artist Ben Richter of the band THE [M]USEUM stopped by to visit with the staff of Z88.3 and play the first single from the band's upcoming debut CD.  Great stuff! 

Then when I got back in from lunch with Ben and his manager Derek, I dove into the latest BILLBOARD magazine and found a THREE page spread all about my buddy TobyMac and his new cd, TONIGHT.  

What a full musical day!  :)

February 17, 2010

Satellites and Sirens in the house! Or at least they stopped by the station.  Loved catching up with Geoff and the guys, getting some of their new music and grabbing a quick bite to eat.  They did a show tonight at Mosaic Church near Clermont. 

and of course we got a group photo in the cool, but gorgeous Florida sunshine before they left! 

February 16, 2010

It's Tuesday. So all day all I could think about is LOST!!!

Tina is just as into it as I am.... Bailey, not so much.

February 15, 2010

Today was tobyMac day, all day, at Z88.3!  It started early in the morning when he co-hosted the Z88.3 morning show with Ellis and Tyler.

Then at the Pastor's luncheon with New Missions,  tobyMac shared his testimony and talked about his life and family, and shared how diversity is impacting his music, his world, and the church... in a good good way! 

Tonight is the new cd, in stores now... You gotta get you some of this Funky Jesus Music!!

Then tonight tobyMac shared the stories behind the music of his cd with Z88.3 winners and guests and showed his videos (not even finished yet) to get a glimpse into his new creation.  TONIGHT is the night, for sure!  

Thanks Toby.  We really liked you opening up and letting us inside for a little while.  What a cool night.