Neighborhood Christmas Cookie Competition Night

December 4, 2009

At Hollie's House

Last year I suggested the idea of throwing a neighborhood party and donating money to a local charity instead of neighbor gifts. This idea went over well with a lot of the neighbors and we were able to donate money to a local family. It took the stress out of neighbor gifts and it also gave friends a chance to get together and play games.

This year I thought we would try it again. Everyone is welcome and a donation would be greatly appreciated. We will be collecting for

Safe Harbor Domestic Violent Crisis Center.

Please donate the money you would put into thoughtful neighbor gifts and come celebrate with us on December 4 Th @ 7:00. Leave the kiddos at home and enjoy time with your neighbors. Please bring a plate of cookies to enter into our cookie contest.

Many neighbor's have said, "Will so and so get offend if I don't do a gift?" or "What happens if some people choose not to participate?" Everyone is welcome and a notice will be given to everyone in the neighborhood. Honestly, Christmas neighborhood gifts are given out of love and no one will get offended." ( Please post comments or questions so as a neighborhood we can address the concerns.)

Halloween

Benson and Sophie were Musketeers from the Barbie Movie. Emmy was a Ghost. ( So were the 2 other nieces her age.)

Pirates say ARGH

Emily "Cooperbottom "
Benson "Captin Underpants"
Sophie "Booty"

Happy 7th Birthday Benson
Benson was surprised by a family costume party. He had no idea about the pirate theme until Sophie gave him his present with tons of pirate stuff, guns, swords, bone keys and so on. My family went above and beyond in dressing up. They made the day so fun.

The cake I requested was a simple skull and bones with chocolate frosting. Target got it all right except for the chocolate frosting and it was black...black. So many people decided not to premantly die thier teeth and lips black and just had ice cream.

We also had a get to know Benson game. We learned so much about him. The most interesting thing was that he wants to go on vacation to Texas to ride horses. Okay, We thought he'd choose Lego land or Disneyworld. It is kind of funny the aunts and uncles got more right than the granparents and they were presented with a skull mug filled with Benson's favorite things. Thanks to our family who spoiled him with everthing he could have wanted.

Happy birthday buddy!

Family Pictures

Right now I am being licked to death and distracted by a puppy. She just learned how to jump onto the couch. Great, just what I wanted and needed, something else touching,poking and doing anything possible to get my attention.

On the other side of the room, a piano is now located. I feel so blessed and fortunate to have an older neighbor, gift this piano to our family. The noise level in my house has doubled between a barking dog and pounding piano keys. So has the yelling. "Get off the piano." The best is when Sophie yells at the dog. "I have had about enough of you. We will not have any more messes in this house. I have had it. Go outside... OUT OUT OOOOUT."

Okay the real reason for my post is FAMILY PICTURES. Getting ready for them about sent me over the edge. The kids clothes we so easy. Hey they don't really have a choice. I decided to put myself in brown because there would be a variety of outfits to choose from. Bryan hates dark colors so I left the pretty BLUE for him. How was I suppose to know that a man who has every color of blue in his closest and blue is his favorite color doesn't like this particular hue.
Bryan went to his closet and said, " Why can't I where this?" DUH --it doesn't match anyone else.

So a light clicked on...after looking for matching clothes for the family I didn't ask Bry once what colors he would like. If I would have said, " Bry...pick something out of your closet you like. I will match everyone to you." It would have saved me hours of shopping and returning clothes.

It was a breeze getting in kids clothes to match Bryan. Little kids clothes come in every shade of every color. Adults clothes seem to stay in the boring range and good luck matching it to anything cute that a four year old would wear. A light bolt hit--men clothing stores are retarded. Within one department store they have skater boy stuff to old man golfer sweater vests. Where are the clothes that a normal 30 year old man should wear? Gee, I don't think a Tony Hawk shirt will really go with those pleated khakis. So I went to Express. That just sparkles gay man or midlife crisis. There really needs to be a 30 something store that helps these men dress there age. Not younger nor older. Bryan, you know I hate the mock turtle necks. So if anyone is interested going through the hoops, financing, being a buyer-- I WILL SHOP at YOUR STORE.

Pictures are another thing. I thought I would spend a hundred dollars. We haven't had pictures for 5 years and we have never had one to display in our home. Okay I had no idea how expensive a 20X24 picture is. WOW. Those creative photo places make you take a bazillion pictures and of course one is going to be perfect and you are going to want it on your wall. When looking at the picture packages I just nodded my head, lowered my eyebrows and tried not to look shocked.

You're going to need pictures for parents, daddy's office, aunts and uncles oh and why don't you give your neighbor and 8X10 also. Oh well... It is done, the pictures are perfect and I am really happy. I guess every time I think of why we have no "fun"money I can look at the picture and remember how blessed I am to have a family.

Emersyn turns one

HaPPy Birthday EMmy.

Nana gave Emmy this walker/stroller.It is balanced so it will not tip. She was able to stand and slowly cruise around the room. My mom found this Madam Alexander baby that is small and soft, just darling. My dad gave her a leap frog dog. You actually plug it into the computer and it down loads the child's name. It sings a song, spelling the name and tells Emersyn hello and "Snuggle up Emersyn." It is really cute. Of course the night wouldn't be fair if Sophie and Benson didn't beg for a toy. They ended up taking over the pound puppies. Many thanks to my sisters who have made Emmy the newest fashion model around.

+ Emmy's first taste of real cake. She loved it. The best part was her hair was covered in pink frosting.
Grandma Bernice and Grandma Debbie

Benson and Emmy

Nana, Uncle Mike and Loryn Blowing out the candles

Ashlee, Sue Ann and Dad