New Year's Eve Sleep Over Extravaganza!

We started out New Year's Eve day by heading to the Aquarium with the Hogans. Colm went to Ireland for a NYE wedding so Gary offered to come over with Kelly and theirs kids (that's six kids) for a NYE sleepover bash...so Sam and I jumped on the wagon (one more kid), followed by Bobby, Judy and Jonathan (one more..) which were quickly followed by Jim, Colleen and Brady (you guessed it, one more) so if you do the math that's 12 kiddos when you include Sue's kiddos... my what a fun and interesting night - I was ready to crash around 10:30 but needed to hang to keep up with the kiddos that we thought would crash around 9:00 - ha..... Everyone made it to midnight (yes, Bobby, I've included you - we don't count cat naps), but Sam wanted to go home once things calmed down a bit (at 1:30) which I was fine with... she slept until 11:45 the next day... That's my girl!!

Christmas Day

Santa left a note... Can you say excited...This picture says it all for Uncle Scott...Rockin' outGuess who found the picklea cozy blanketThank you Bs!"Guam" Family spoiled her...new kicks!Samantha insisted on taking them for a spin.... I could barely get hat and scarf on, never mind a jacket as she was going to be "so fast so wouldn't feel the cold" Thankfully it wasn't too cold...Lily the reindeerStill rockin' out get ready to go to Grace's house for dinner

Preparing for Santa

Samantha drawing a picture for Santa's officelist, cookies, pickle ornament (to be hidden by Santa), picture, milk and carrots - all set!Leaving the key for Santa (since we don't have a fireplace)He came!Looks like someone was good this year....

Christmas Eve Part II

Christmas Eve sprinkling oats and sparkles so the reindeer smell food and Santa sees where he is going (very important)... At the Hogan's after Mass...

Nana and Samantha

Samantha in her Christmas dress

Samantha and Uncle Scott

She's an Angel...on Christmas Eve

Samantha was an angel, along with Allie and Sean (Shepard) in this year's Christmas Eve Mass. She did a great job! She told me in the morning that she was just a little bit nervous, but was excited to walk down the aisle with the three wise men....

We've finally seen Tiana!

Samantha has been waiting most of the year to see Walt Disney's Princess and the Frog - Disneyprincess.com showcased Tiana so Samantha was well prepared - she knew every character...Ray is a particular favorite.... She was so into the "new" princess that when we went to DisneyWorld, Sam only wanted a Tiana shirt...

As you can see from the pictures Sam and Ashley had a great time at the movies last night. I have to say it was a good kid flick (only one real spooky scene towards the end).

Happy Birthday Jenn Trujillo!

Samantha and I hope you have a wonderful birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Amy!

Happy birthday to my dear friend Amy - enjoy every minute!!!!

Gingerbread Fun!

Sam had Molly over for a gingerbread house and people decorating extravaganza! They had a great time - will most likely be on a candy high until after the holidays....

I am blessed and thankful for such a loving family whom I can lean on in good times and bad... Lawrence, John, Wallace, Joan, Richard, Brenda, Rene, Camille, Myself, Kate and Scott were raised more like "extended" brothers and sisters rather than cousins - we were a "pack." We're all grown up with families of our own, but the tie that binds us still is strong.

We came together as one today with shared memories to grieve and begin the healing process for one lost to us. The sun shined down and the wind blew warm air as we said goodbye to one we held close to us. Forever in our hearts... Love you Lawrence!

Rest In Peace Cousin Lawrence

My cousin, Lawrence Abreu, passed tragically and quietly away last weekend. He claimed of not feeling well and went to lie down. God quietly took him to heaven in his sleep. He was 43. Lawrence leaves behind his wife, Doreen, and his three children - Jacqui, Nicole and Michael. www.joycefuneralhome.com

I grew up spending Sundays visiting my Grammy. Grammy lived with my Aunt Betty so, in turn, I spent many weekends with my cousins Lawrence, Richard and Rene. Lawrence was the oldest and I was always somewhat intimidated by him and his sense of humor - Lawrence and Richard were always pulling pranks and making everyone laugh... I do remember Lawrence teaching me to light fireworks in an old tire and roll it down a hill without actually losing or burning my fingers (that was key), good grief where were our parents. I remember the story of him teaching my cousin John to pee in the big boy toilet by throwing cheerios into the toilet and telling him to aim at them... I remember meeting his wife, Doreen, for the first time and thinking they were a match made in heaven. Doreen had lost her first husband in a tragic car accident a few years before... and Lawrence (or Larry as many outside the family called him) helped her raise three wonderful and fun children. Lawrence your time was short, but what an impact you made on so many lives.


Godspeed, Lawrence...rest in peace.

O Christmas Tree

It was a cold December night, perfect for getting a Christmas tree...not... seriously, I think it was the quickest sale in the history of trees - why go on such a cold night - because I'm a huge softy for holiday traditions, not to mention my little ladybug who just couldn't wait one more day... Thankfully, Uncle Scott, was willing to brave the wind chill factor and help out.... Nana opted to stay home to keep Lily cozy, of course I understood it's not like she has a fur coat or anything....and the heat is on in the house...

Samantha decorated most of the tree, I basically put the lights and star on top.... pretty good job if you ask me...

Let's Swap!!!!

What a fun afternoon with friends!!!! Who knew I could fit 25 women, 3 children, 3 babies and 1 small puppy in my little house - thank God we all like each other...... My annual holiday decoration swap is my favorite event of the year. What better way to start the holiday season then with friends new and old...eating and drinking while we catch up on each other's lives... I am truly blessed to have such wonderful people in my life!!!!

Thanks for singing "Jingle Bells" so Samantha and Allie could perform!

I wish I had taken a group photo.......next year.

An Enchanted Morning

Nana, Samantha, Michele (who was visiting from NY for the weekend run and party) and I went to see the Enchanted Village at Jordan's Furniture in Avon this morning. Jordan's bought the collection from Macy's and they had a special event for the Jimmy Fund. How cute with fake snow floating through the air... Santa, Rudolph and Frosty available for hugs and photos, along with hot cocoa and donuts. We even colored cookies with markers that were edible.....now that's my kind of fun! Sam was a little tired from all the events of the weekend, but she did sit for a photo with Santa (looking pretty grumpy) and told him about Lily. Although she managed to perk up quite a bit after the 4d showing of the Polar Express movie. I think it reminded her of the Star Wars ride at Disney. She allowed me (ha, ha) to take a photo in front of the Christmas tree on our way out... Thanks Sam!