Grandma Helyne

In the season of family, togetherness, and all we have to be thankful for, some sadness came our way today. This afternoon my dear sweet Grandma Helyne Young passed away peacefully in her sleep after a recent fall and much, much pain and suffering. She was amazing. She survived breast cancer twice. She worked at the bakery (Carol's Pastry) until the very last minute when she just couldn't do it anymore. She loved having family gatherings with all the kids, grand kids, great-grand kids, and great-great grand kids around. I have so many memories of her. She was at the hospital for the birth of both my children. She always offered a coke and snack anytime we came to visit. She let me drive her car (the boat) the day after I got my licence (brave woman)! We had many 4Th of July parties at her house. She always had a toy to give every child that just happened to pop in. Her backyard was like a secret jungle and so much fun to play in. I could go on forever! My memories are flowing crazy right now and my emotions are very high. I will miss her so much.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving:

1. I am thankful my grandma is out of the pain that had changed her life this last past month.

2. I am thankful that I was close to her. We had special moments together, shared secrets together. Watched Bo Derek run up the beach in her braids :) (that was for you grandma).

3. I am thankful that I was blessed to have her in my life for as long as I did.

4. I am thankful my children were close to her. They knew and loved great-grandma Helyne.

5. I am thankful that people say " You have your grandma's toes." Grandma always told me our toes meant royalty :)

There are so many more memories. I can't even begin to list them all. Goodbye grandma. I love you. I will miss you. I am so glad you are out of pain. I will see you someday.

Happy Turkey Day!

What are you thankful for? Here is just a small list of my "thankful fors"

1. My Family. Both sides. They make me complete, bring me drama, bring me love and I am happy.
2. My Kids. They are the biggest source of joy, and craziness in my life. I wouldn't change a thing (except for maybe Sieauna's nut-allergy to be gone) but we deal with the trials we are given.
3. My Friends. Listen to "Good Friends and a Glass of Wine" by LeAnn Rhymes. Nuff' said.
4. My job. I have the best job and work the hours I need with the husband and family I love.
5. Freedom. After reading Kite Runner and Thousand Splendid Suns, I have really realized how truly spoiled we are in this life. We are freakin' Gods & Goddesses!
6. Wine.

I hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving and remember what it is you are thankful for, then let that person know. They will be glad you did.

Locks Of Love - Here We Come!

Well we won't be doing any super cute long hairstyles for awhile, but it's for a good cause :). Sieauna made a very big decision to donate her hair to Locks of Love. She has a 13 inch pony tail to donate and they cut a total of 16 inches. Her new hairstyle looks darling for her personality and she loves it! Plus-mom won't have to listen to crying from the tangles for awhile. Way to go Sieauna. I am so proud of you. http://locksoflove.org/

Nut Free Cookies for a Year! Woooo Hoo!

This was the contest:
Free Year of Cookies!
This month, one lucky AllergyMoms subscriber will win a YEAR of FREE COOKIES from Cherrybrook Kitchen. The winner will recieve her choice of 2 boxes of ready made cookies every month for a year!

And this is the email I received yesterday:
Good Morning Kelly,
You WON, the YEAR of Cherry Brook Kitchen Products!!
Let me know if you have a preference. If you know what you'd like for all 24 products, I can certainly ask them for what you want.
Congratulations!
Gina Clowes

How cool is that? Sieauna will be getting two boxes of totally safe, NUT FREE cookies every month for a year. We are so excited. It's so hard to find baked items, especially cookies, we can enjoy without worrying about a reaction. Yea! http://www.cherrybrookkitchen.com/

New York

New York was a blast. We surprised my grandparents, I mean TOTALLY surprised them. So much that my nanny needed to sit down because she thought she saw ghosts! Then we (mom and I) got a big surprise ourselves! My wonderful, super, awesome, special Aunt Diane booked us tickets to see the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular in NYC!

When we arrived in NYC (about 4 hours by bus from Amsterdam) we were dropped off at Rockefeller Center. We saw St. Patrick's Cathedral and then took in lunch at Rockefeller Cafe (so neat, it overlooked the ice rink). Then the show. WOW! It was so cool, seriously. It snowed (actual, real snow) inside Radio City Music Hall. So amazing! Then we walked to Times Square and took in the craziness of it all. Very short trip to the city but so fun.

On our other days, we did some shopping at Colonie Mall in Schenectady, went gambling in Saratoga, drove around Albany and Haagerman, and visited with all my relatives that live up there. Oh, and we ate, and ate, and ate. I have seriously gained 5 pounds from all the yummy polish food. Wowy. I also had the privilege of celebrating my grandfathers 87Th birthday with him.

It was a very nice getaway but I am so glad to be home. I missed my family dearly. It didn't help that my kids got sick the night I left until the day before my return. THANK YOU my sweet hubby for taking care of the household. Also thanks to my mom-in-law for taking sick Sieauna for the day while Justin worked and making Alex's birthday special. And thanks to my friends who were lined up and ready to go, even if the kids were to sick to participate in all the scheduled play dates :)

I had a wonderful time but there is no place like home.

Happy 7th Birthday Alex!

I can't believe my baby is seven. I remember when he was just this little sweet baby I couldn't put down (probably the reason it took him forever to walk). I miss his little baby antics and love the little man he is turning into.

After all the Pokemon tails were pinned, the pinata was broken, the cake was gone and the presents were opened, we asked the little man if he had a good birthday and if he was happy. He replied "It was my best birthday ever and I got everything I ever wanted!" It makes me feel so good to know we made him happy. I love this little (big) guy. Happy birthday my sweet son.

Happy Birthday Tracy!

My wonderful friend Tracy celebrated her birthday with all the girls at a slumber party at Silverado Lodge in Park City. We soaked in the hot tub, drank some wine, ate yummy appetizers, drank some wine, had pedicures, drank some wine, told ghost stories, drank wine...you get the picture. It was my first girls retreat and I had such a wonderful and relaxing time with the girls. Thanks to all my friends, and my new ones (Kim & Janna), for such an awesome weekend.

In The Words Of Homer Simpson

"Mmmmmmmmmmmmm Beerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr". Master brewer Justin has created his latest home brew. This time it's a Smoky Porter. We brewed on election night, therefore naming it "Election Ale". I'll keep you posted as to when it's ready for taste testers!

Starbucks Anyone?

Halloween 2008

Pink Ladies, a T-Bird, a devil and a German with lieder hosen. Throw in a handful of small children and you've got one heck of a fun trick-or-treating session. Thanks Shon, for the cool jackets.

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