Lots to talk about -- and HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hey all.... Well it's been a whirlwind of events since the last time I wrote on here. First the day after Christmas, we packed up the van and headed to O H I O, to celebrate Great's 95th BIRTHDAY Celebration! We stayed with our brother Rob, his wife Eileen and our nephews--- THANK YOU very much for your hospitality!! We had a great time! On Friday night we had dinner, and sat around reminiscing, and even played a little rock BAND... which our Nephews really liked!!!! ON Saturday we went to SKYLINE CHILI for lunch... it's a fast food restaurant in Ohio that serves Chili on Spaghetti with Tons and TONS of cheese--- That's called a three way! W. Onions it's a 4 way. And onions and beans is a 5 way. AWESOME!!! We can't go to Ohio without visiting Skyline!! Then on Saturday night we went to Brian's cousin Niki's house. She had a baby about 6 months ago. His name is Parker John and he is SUCH A SWEET baby... O My GOD! Really a very sweet little guy! They bought a new house not that long ago and it was the first time we had seen it.... Really nice and quite big. They had all the rooms painted really BOLD colored! I LOVED IT (and am jealous of people who are that BOLD! We played more Rock band and everyone got really into it, it was fun! We didn't stay too late because Great had a big day ahead of her and we all needed to get home. On Sunday was Great's birthday party--- it was in a Irish Pub. We had the entire upper deck of the restaurant.. It was HUGE and all the Grandkids gave speeches about their Grandma.... it was very sweet! Great was so happy, and I think she had a lot of fun. A few of her friends were there and they are even a few months older then she is! She is amazing, truly--- she still drives some, and she lives on her own. She is very inspiring and an extremely generous woman! I only hope.... I can live that long and be that happy! After the party the family all went back to Rob's house and did some more reminiscing-- and then Brian & his 2 brothers, his Mom and his nephew John all played a rousing game of HEARTS! A family favorite! We left on MOnday morning after breakfast and got home around 7:30pm. We stopped at a Texas Roadhouse on the way home and took our time eating lunch. It was a very nice time, with only a few set backs... for instance Emily was a little sick the whole time, and even threw up a little the Saturday night we were there but she managed to still have a great time despite it! So after we got home On Monday night, we saw my niece, and her boyfriend and their baby--- they were watching the dogs, cats and our house for us. THANK YOU, THANK YOU GUYS... Anyway, On Tuesday we just kind of chilled out except for Brian who had to work. But today was really fun, Emily and I went with Dan, Mad and Josh to the Garden State Discovery Musuem they had a New Year's EVE celebration event and on top of the activities they have there normally they also had a countdown at noon with Balloons and hats, and music! They whole nine yards.. Emily loved it, and she even got to make a wish in the microphone for something in '09 and she wished for WORLD PEACE!! Great, huh! Lets all wish for the same----- HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

PS.. To my cousin Tiffany, I HOPE YOU ARE FEELING MUCH BETTER! :) Missy