A little bit of this and a whole lot of that.......

We had a jam packed weekend. My Mom came out to stay with us for a couple of days. I am so grateful to her for all of her help this weekend. She made it out Friday night and Holly was very excited. She always waits at the window when she knows Grandma is coming over. We got a chance to visit for a little bit before we all had to go to bed. Holly had a soccer game the next morning. Holly loves to play goalie. Her coach loves her to play goalie as well. To be honest it makes me a bit nervous. I get tense when the ball makes it up to her end of the field. She loves it. When balls get past her she doesn't let it phase her. She grabs the ball and gets it back to the center of the field. I do not like it when the parents sigh and make comments when the ball does get by her. This team is just made up of 7 and 8 year old little girls, it is not a big life or death thing. Well she always gives it her all so I am proud of her for that. This weekend she had a TREMENDOUS save! She caught a ball that was kicked very hard at very close range. THe crowd cheered. It was a split second after that I heard this whimpering. It was Holly. She was hurt. She had the wind knocked out of her. I went down to check on her. Her coach took great care of her and had her do some stretches with her arms and it took her mind off of it. He sent in a sub. Well it wasn't but a minute or two later and Holly wanted to go back in. I was so proud of her. When she went back in the crowd cheered. After the game the girls always shake hands with the other team and coach. Holly went through the line and then the other teams coach stopped her and gave her a hug and said something to her. When she came off the field I asked her what he said. She just smiled and told me that I made the best save he has ever seen! So needless to say that made her feel pretty good. We headed home after the game to get busy with our big list of things to do.

First off we wanted Chris to open his presents. It was his Birthday. He got a new watch, CD, a very nice jacket vest from my Mom and Dad and then he got some special coloring books for coloring time with Holly. He was pretty happy. My Mom wanted to take us all out to lunch to celebrate his Birthday. We went to Mike's Roadhouse and had a really nice time. We had to rush home after lunch because Tiffany was off to get a space in line for a concert and then we had to get Alissa ready and transported over to her band because she had a big performance. Chris went to the concert with Tiffany and Holly my Mom and I went to the band performance.

Here are the trophy's that were at stake for the nights performance. Alissa's is a member of an award winning band. They work extremely hard preparing for the competitions. It is really alot of fun to go and see them perform. There is just this one competition in our area so it is nice to be able to watch them perform in competition.

The band took the field and the excitement built from there. It is really something to see. The band was fabulous! They have a very talented staff. They are fortunate enough to have the top drill writer in the state working with them. He writes drills for several bands but works directly with ours straight from the start. They also have one of the best front ensemble instructors and writers teaching them. They had a great performance and then we just had to wait for awards. They won Sweepstakes! That means they were the best in their division.

While the event was going on Grandma and Holly found these hats for sale. They boug ht some for us to wear and for Grandma to take back home for her annual New Year's Eve party. The guests at the party will love them. We had so much fun sitting in the stands and watching the performance. After it was all over we headed home again. My Mom and I started more preparations for the next day. I was having Holly's Birthday party. She was having 20 kids to her party! I am crazy that is for sure.

They day of the party was extremely hectic. Trying to get everything ready and set up was crazy. I was going to have everything outside because I really didn't want 20 kids running around my house. We had fun games planned and some crafts too. It was a costume party. The guests started to arrive and Holly was so excited. The more kids theat came the more crazy it became. It also ended up being about 87 degress that day! The kids all seemed to be having fun.



Here is a picture of my nephew and my nieces with Holly. They were just all being silly with their fake teeth. Chase didn't want his in for this, niether did Jack but the girls all did.

Little Miss Maddie was having alot of fun too. Isn't she the cutest? She is my youngest niece. Just looking at her puts a smile on my face. She is also the most huggable and kissable little angel!


Faith had already taken off her Supergirl costume. She loves to play with Holly. We don't get to visit as often as we would like to.

Holly picked her cake out and was very happy with it. The cake was a marble cake and everyone really liked it.



Here is just a glimpse at the kids playing a hot potatoe game. Please believe me when I say it was crazy. I had my friend Kayla help pass the prices out. At one point I looked over and could barely see her through the sea of kids. I have can say this is the last time I will have that many kids here. It was fun but a bit on the stressful side. The party was kind of a blur to me.

We got a picture with the girls and Grandma and Grandpa before they left to go home. If it hadn't been for Grandmas help I would have never been ready for the party. Thanks Grandma!

Once Tiffany heard about Holly having a costume party for her Birthday she decided she wanted to do the same thing. She planned her Birthday party for the same day just later. So after Holly's party ended the final preparations for her party began. I carved a couple of pumkins and put the finishing touches on her set up. It was CRAZY! In the end it all worked out fine. Holly has told me several times " Thank you Mommy my party was the best ever! " So with those words all of the crazy madness and frustration of the weekend was well worth it. Wew I am glad it is over though. Here is hoping this week will not be so hectic!