Cold Night of Fun

On Friday night our neighborhood had its first ever Holiday Gathering. The neighborhood is 10 - 12 years old, but very small (68 houses) so therefore no clubhouse.

Our new social committee decided to take a chance and have the gathering on one of our cul-de-sacs. They had a big outdoor fireplace in the middle of the street to provide warmth and they cooked hamburgers, hotdogs, smores - there was hot cocoa, soda and each family that came brought a dessert. It was a great way to spend time with our neighbors.

I invited Amber and Alex (because Robert had big plans for http://colleencorbett.blogspot.com/2008/12/were-getting-married.html) and my niece Mackenzie. You already know my mom lives with us, so here are some pictures of the kids after Nana made sure they were all bundled up!!!

Christmas List - From Stephanie's Blog

Stephanie had these questions with her answers on her blog - now these are my answers:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both. I try to use one style of wrapping paper for each family we give gifts too.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Real growing up - artificial now.
3. When do you put up the tree? Thanksgiving Weekend
4. When do you take the tree down? Usually on New Years Day or the following weekend.
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes
6. Favorite gift received as a child? A Diamond Name Plate from my father. (we lived in NY so don't chuckle - it was a big deal up there)
7. Hardest person to buy for? My husband's Uncle Matt
8. Easiest person to buy for? Little Joe
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes - Precious Moments - I would love to get the Willow Tree People one.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't recall anything being that bad.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Home Alone - it brings me great memories of my grandfather cracking up at all of the pranks.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Let's see I have 12 nieces and nephews and my own 2 kids - so there are time I start shopping the day after Christmas!!!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My grandmother's sugar cookies.
16. Lights on the tree? The more lights the better! White or Colored - depending on the decorations.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Christmas Eve in Sarajevo (Trans Siberian Orchestra)
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home for the Holidays now tht everyone is here in Charlotte with us.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Probably
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? One Star, One Mickey Mouse and One Santa.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Eve as a child. Now it is Christmas Eve with family and Christmas morning with the kids.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? When people don't realize traffic will be heavier, lines will be longer etc... and they freak out about it.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Disney Characters.
24. Favorite thing for Christmas dinner? Our big meal is on Christmas Eve - Italian Food - I love it all.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Joe and I have decided no gifts this year. We took a nice trip for our birthday's so......

Now it's your turn. Go ahead and fill out your own answers and post on your blog!

Decorating for Christmas

My dad gave this Santa to my mom many years ago. After he passed away it brought great memories to all of us when we take it out each year and think of him.














In our house we call this the Corbett (my maiden name) Family Tree. My mom lives with us and this tree is every ornament that me, Colleen, Danny & Pattie have ever made as well as ornaments that each of her 9 grandchildren have made for her.











Joe and I are HUGE Disney people and so are our kids - this is our Disney Tree. Each ornament is some kind of a Disney Ornament. Joe and I started collecting them before we even had children.














Our Mantle. I LOVE IT - for some reason this year it just looks so awesome to me. I think it is because Joe recently put a wood floor in the family room. I could sit and look at it all night. Notice the Disney stuff....












This is the tree that Joe and I bought the Christmas before we got married - so just about 15 years ago. We got up early on the 26th and met at the store to get the best deal. The decorations are different this year - but the tree was prestrung when we bought it - different than prelit in that we can take strands off if we want too - but I have to say we really have only had 2 strands go out that we needed to replace.


I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as we enjoy getting the house all decorated!!!

Giving Thanks - Part 2

I have been thinking for days about who to thank or what I am thankful for. Here is what I have come up with:

I have to be one of the most blessed girls in the world - I have so, so many people in my life that I am thankful for - that I couldn't narrow it down to just one or two for this blog. I feel so lucky to be able to say that, I truly do. God has placed such wonderful people on my path of life.

I feel like thanking just one or two of them would be slighting the others and that is not what I want to do because every one of them are a strong link in my "circle of life".

So to all of my friends and family I say this - My life would not be complete without all of you and I appreciate all of the love and support I get from everyone of you, all year long. Thank you for blessing my life with your presence!!!

Giving Thanks

I first want to say I had an AWESOME Thanksgiving!!! If you had asked me leading up to the Holiday I would have told you I was stressed about having it at my house just after my surgery or that I wished me, Joe and the kids were just spending the day alone eating Chinese Food!!! Again, because of my surgery. Those that know me, know that I can not just do something - it is not in me - I want it to be special, I want my guests to know how much I love having them etc....

This year was different, I honestly did the best I could and then hoped everyone would be understanding. Before out bell rang with the first guest I said to Joe - I am going to have a good day - it may not be all I wanted to do, but I did what I could and I am going to enjoy myself. Then the bell rang - it was my brother - arms full of stuff!!! He was supposed to be taking care of dessert - but like me, my brother loves to cook and wants to introduce people to new and interesting foods. So outside of enough dessert to feed an Army he brought appetizers and some seafood -he whipped up homemade brushetta and a tray of individual fresh mozzarella and tomato appetizers. As dinner was just about to be served he fired up our grill and cooked up some coconut curry shrimp and sea scallops wrapped in bacon that I promise you were the size of half dollars!!! When he came in from doing that he pan seared some Tuna that was encrusted in pecans, sesame seeds and poppy seeds - he did have a special sauce that he seared it in (that he made) but not being a seafood eater I can not tell you what it was.

My sister Colleen and Robert and Robert's Family came arms full as well. Deviled Eggs, Spinach Dip and two different types of sweet and sour meatballs.

All of this before the main meal!!! We are Italian....

This was the first time we all met Robert't Parents and they are really nice people. We sat and talked around the table and everyone blended so well. It was a nice, relaxing day.

At the dinner table we had each of the kids say something they were thankful for and as you can imagine - it was very cute.

So outside of all the food that everyone brought - I want to give my heartfelt thanks to everyone for all the help. They made sure I didn't do too much, they went out of their way to help me and help our family have a nice holiday - and in doing so we all got to spend good, quality time together.

Mom, Danielle and Joseph Give Thanks.....

I have been home for about a week now recovering from my surgery. Things went well, but I really need to take it easy and let my body heal. We have a very busy life - between work, kids activities and the huge/awesome family we have here in Charlotte we are usually on the go. The surgery has forced us to be still at home and spend lots and lots of quality time - just the 4 of us. Dad just left for work but we are hoping he gets out early.

Each night we have been talking about things we are thankful for - to go along with Pastor Steven's request that you express your thanks, here we go:

JOSEPH - Having a house to live in, clothing and family and friends.

DANIELLE - I don't have an illness (we give to Children's Miracle Network monthly so Danielle is very aware of how other children suffer from illness), for God, Church and Religion and that my parents can still afford to pay for me to go to dance during these times.

MOM - I am most thankful that both of my children walk with God. They have kindness in their hearts that shines through to all those who meet them. And that they love each other as much as me and my brother did as kids and still do!!!

I will be giving more thanks later..... Stay tuned.....

Prayer Request

I am having surgery on my ear tomorrow. I have been having chronic infections that have now caused some hearing loss and bone deterioration as well as damage to my middle ear and ear drum.

Honestly the complications are not terrible and the biggest ones have less than a 1% chance of happening, but the surgery will take 2 1/2 - 3 hours and I my biggest concern is being under for that long.

Say a prayer for me tomorrow that all goes well - and as soon as I feel up to it I will let you know how I am doing.