Happy Holidays

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Hi Baby Happy Birthday

Today is the birthday of a very special young man. He was the very first to bless me with being an Aunt and even though there were many miles between us he still had a way of letting me know that he thought I was just as special. I would love to receive the phone calls that I would hear from the other end "HI BABY" As this is what I would always say to him whenever I had the opportunity to chit chat with him and for a while that is what he called himself to me. To this day it is special and I know he has my back!!! Miss you lots and think about you often. Someday I hope and pray that I will have the opportunity to visit you at your home with your beautiful baby and Kelly. Again, I love you more then I could ever express on here but I am sure you know what a VERY special young man you are and I am so proud of where you have gone with your life. JOHN you know you are a very special young man and I love you very much. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and do something extremely special just like you. I love you "Hi Baby" and miss you so much. Again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Thanksgiving

For the first time in quite a few years, the gang gathered at the house for Thanksgiving Dinner. There was a feast to be had by all that came. Denise started baking the major fattening stuff about a week ago. Then put it under lock and key as the cookies and fudge would not have lasted until Thursday. The house smelled wonderful (if you like that kind of stuff) and anyone that came in the door asked the same question--where are the cookies?! I think Dominic called almost every day to check on the status of them. Zannon and KyLeigh stopped by to say hi and came in just as the fudge was being prepared and it was great watching the two of them argue over the fudge spoon. Zannon was showing KyLeigh the proper way to clean the spoon. Clyde, Heather and Devin took the time on Wednesday to start the baking of the pies and getting things ready for the veggie tray. Bright and early on the morning of Clyde and Denise started the other major organization of getting things ready, making sure there were enough chairs (I still personally think if everyone brought their own we wouldn't have this problem) and space for everyone. It was great about 12:30 everyone started showing, Dominic, Robin, Emma and Alayna came in asking "Where are the cookies"? Heather, Julius, Demitrius and Gracie were not far behind then Millie, MecKenzy,Morgan, Mason, Brayden, Jenni, Bill, Ashley, Scott, Derrin, Makiya joined in the fun. I had all the kids in my room initially working up the energy on the Wii Games. This was a bit crowded but lots of fun. The game was going in the living room but I think the cheers were louder in my room over Ashley and Little Bit (Morgan) competing for the Hula Hooping record. Needless, to say Ashley won and was sure to let everyone know that she still had it. At about 2:00 p.m. it was time to start the feast, the two 20+ turkeys (one roasted and one deep fried), baked ham, yams, mashed potatoes and gravy, relish tray, corn, stuffing, green bean stuff, shrimp, cranberry sauce, baked mac and cheese, cheesy potatoes, baked beans and lots of desserts. You would have thought we were feeding an army! But then again look at the list I don't think we were far from it. Mason and Demitrius had a great time playing the new thing of Bakugam Battle Brawlers. The weather was great and all the kids could play outside for a while and work off some of the food they ate. Before the evening was over Nicole, Bill, Erika and Bobby showed up also. Therefore, we had a very blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving.

Wall-E at the Dollar Movie

When you want to do something special and there are this many kids you have to look for the bargains. Jenni found the Disney Movie "Wall-E" at the dolloar show so needless to say that is the price everyone was looking for. Jenni with her four Kenzie, Morgan, Mason and Brayden; Robin with Emma and Alayna; Millie had Derrin (movie started at 5:00 his parents weren't out of work yet); Me with Demitrius, Kalee, Britenee and Gracie. So as you can probably tell the whole front line on the front stoop was all my group. I love having the opportunity to get all the kids together and allowing them to play and get to know each other. I only wish it was possible to have all the little ones get together just once in this lifetime to at least meet each other. Someday it will happen there are so many little ones that I still need to meet and get to know.

Wrapped up in the new Tinkerbell Movie

Not many things that will quiet the clan down but after the soccer game everyone got together for a movie and good old "Chicken, Noodles and Dumplings" I honestly think the boys enjoyed the movie as much if not more then the girls did.

End of Outdoor Soccer Games

Gracie really loved playing soccer and really played hard. Good Job Gracie!!

Britenee's team did a great job and overall came out ahead in the winning of the games. She looks a little more then excited over the winning of her very own trophy!! Good Job Brit

Demitrius' with his team and proudly displaying his winning trophy. Great Job Demitrius!
This is my very own soccer team! We have Kalee, Britenee, Demitrius, Gracie and Derrin. It was a great season and loads of fun for all as this is the first time they have each participated in soccer and a few loved it enough that they would like to be signed up for the indoor soccer games.

Happy Birthday Dirk

Today would have been Anthony's (Dirk) 45th birthday. Dirk you may be gone but you will NEVER be forgotten and the special things that you would do, will always be remembered. The most memorable being when you surprised me when I came home from work and you were hiding behind the shower curtain for my last birthday that I would spend with you in 1988. The memories are awesome and I love and miss you more then could ever be expressed. Love you little brother, Happy Birthday.

Trick-or-Treat

I really need to figure out how to put together a slideshow for the blog as I have sooooo many wonderful picture of getting everyone ready for their special day. There was so much fun in doing up each of the kids in their own unique way. Each one was I want this or I want that and getting all just the way they wanted was somewhat of a challenge. Included in the gang was Kalee, Britenee, Demitrius, Gracie, Emma, Alayna, Makiya, Derrin, Heather, Ashley, Robin, Scott, Julius, Dominic and of course ME. I usually don't take preference to my pictures as I love them all but Alayna has really got my heart with her JoJo The Clown and those eyes looking at me. Anyhow, lots of goodies were had by all.

Pumpkin Carving Time

Julius offered to take on the pumpkin carving responsibilities this year. There was quite a crew and lots of fun was had by all. They were all quite creative with the task at had. They really look great all lite up. Good job gang.

Restraining Kids

What is a mother to do when she has two little ones that even after a soccer game has more energy then she does. Sit on them!! I think they are down for the count but only for a minute it didn't take long after she got up for them to start running again. Love it!

Not Feeling Well

Boy, it is too bad that it takes not feeling well to have a quiet, not going anywhere kind of day. This has been one of those really blah, blah, blah days and it is a good thing that it is nasty outside or I probably would have found some kind of reason to go out.

Papi's Ohio State Clothing

Isn't he cute? He doesn't care that they lost as long as he has his clothes to keep him warm. Papi will literally carry this shirt around and bring it to you to put on him.

Visit After A Year An A Half

The girls especially Kalee was quite upset that I had allowed Kimberly to show up at their soccer games. Originally Kalee cried for quite some time and refused to get out of the van. After talking with her and Demitrius assurring her that things would be ok cuz he wouldn't let anyone bother her, she finally got out of the van and strolled around with me. We went over and started watching Britenee's game and Kimberly was sitting at the other end of the field and Kalee was ok with that. As you can see after she came over where we were sitting Kalee got up and walked away and then Kimberly went over and talked with her for a while. However, Demitrius and Gracie didn't leave her out of their site. Look Kalee is taller then Kimberly at this point. Kimberly kept moving over to the hill so she could stand on it and be taller until Kalee figured it out! They had a brief discussion and then came over and sat on the blanket together while Britenee finished her game. By the end of the game they were both ok with the visit and I think in the long run the only thing that was left to be said is "I hope you keep up the good work so we can visit again" "But we don't want the visit if you aren't on the up and up". The girls did for the most part express that originally they were quite upset with me for doing it but in the long run they were glad that I did and that they just didn't want to be hurt again. I understand that they did have many questions for her and they indicated that they hoped she was telling the truth because they always find out in the long run. Kalee had to be told a couple of times to put the attitude away because she was very defensive and looking for fault and was causing stress that wasn't necessary. I took them to McDonald's and Kimberly paid for a snack after the games and they all seemed to have a good visit. Time will tell. I hope that Kimberly realizes that I still don't trust her and not looking to be a friend anytime soon. I was just opening the doors for her to try and do something with the girls. I do not plan on making her part of my plans or going out and parting with her anytime soon. I will try to make it possible for her to be part of a reasonable share of the things that the girls do but I will not go out of my way to get hurt later. Straight up the first time she tries to make him a part of anything that we do there will be absolutely no more effort on my part. Or the first time that I get word of him abusing her and her making the girls aware of it I am finished. Unfortunately, I have been there done that one to many times and I don't feel that I can go through it again. Then there is the stress that the girls will be going through and struggling through their own feelings and as it has always been in the past, it will end up being their school work that will pay the price of the confusion that has been brought back into their lives. Go God only knows that I hope that this time everyone thinks of the girls before they think of themselves.

Haircut Special

Dominic has been waiting for me to post this picture especially for Aunt Karen so that she could see his diehard dedication to the Dallas Cowboys. I personally think this is carrying it a bit far but then again I don't prefer the Cowboys so what can I say "Go Steelers"

Cheerleading for the High School Team

It was undefeated Genoa against Lake Local and the first quarter had special cheerleaders with the Genoa Elementary School being prepared to cheer on the winning team. Gracie had been hanging out with Emma for the day and was quite disappointed when she did not get to go down on the field and cheer with Emma. I did get her pom-poms so that she could do the cheer that they had worked on however she would not allow me to take a picture unless I let her go to the field with Emma so needless to say I didn't get one of Grace with the pom-poms but great ones of Emma. We left before the first quarter ended and the score already was Genoa 28 and Lake 7. Better luck next time and we definitely will have to get Gracie signed up for cheerleading!!!

Learning to Cross Her Eyes

As you can see Gracie has recently learned that she can get lots of attention and laughter from crossing her eyes. This has become almost an every day thing for her and in the other picture she is hiding from her Mommy because she knows she will get in trouble again for doing this

Feeding the Ducks

The kids have always enjoyed feeding the ducks and it was such a beautiful day that we took time out at the cementary after visiting "The Lady" and Norman's grave site to make sure the ducks had a good meal. Gracie, Britenee and Kalee as you can see started a little ways from the van but by the time the ducks were done coming up to them they were right at the door of the van to get away from them.

Creative Crafts Camping

The final craft of the camping season was doing pumpkins and cremanics. Everyone had their hands in it and really enjoyed doing their individual pumpkins. Tina is showing the great job she did painting her project and Derrin, Emma, Gracie, Britenee and Kalee all enjoyed decorating the pumpkins.



Later there was trick-or-treating from campsite to campsite and lots of goodies were to be had by all.




But wait there was time for a game of flag football in-between all the activities.


All good things must come to an end and this is everyone bundled up and getting ready to call it a night. This is the last camping of the season and everyone was a little bummed about it.