Ok Santa, Rudolf and the Gang...

We are ready for you!!!!

Uncle Lenny...

He just came out of the hospital with gaulbladder surgery and pancritus (Ok, I know that I didn't spell that right!). A few months back, Dave asked him "you're 72 years old...what haven't you done or traveled too?" Uncle Lenny said..."I have been everywhere! All around the world, traveled everywhere, done everything besides going to a NASCAR race..I have always wanted to do that." So, we decided to suprise him at Christmas with 2 tickets to the NASCAR race in May so him and Dave can go, and us girls will hit the outlets in Delaware. Well...being that he was just recently really sick, in ICU i think it took him back when he opened the box and there was the print out of the ticket for him and Dave. He didn't even know what to say, so he started crying! Then I started crying, then Dave, then my Mom, My Aunt and my Aunt Karen started balling! It was so emotional...the whole year, my Mom started if off with her seizures, then Aunt Pat is not well with her back and diabetes, then my Uncle, and they are Brother and Sisters, so it was a emotional day for all of us and a greatful day that we all have each other and are doing better and have a strong family bond. It was a very nice Christmas, being with family, making each other happy and being very blessed to be so close...

Christmas Day 2008

After Santa gave us all his gifts (BTW...I was very pleased with all my gifts!) a new touch screen phone, Mother/Daughter Coach Bags, Coach cosmetic case, diamond earrings/Pendant to match, G/C to AC Moore, The Avenue, Coach Perfume (Smells Yummy), Camcorder/Camera, My Purple Shark hardwood floors vaccum, and much more! We went to pick up Tor and Starla...I think it took them 5 min to open all their gifts!

Wow...it came and went in the blink of an eye! We got up, Dave just got home from work and we opened gifts. My Hubby wanted a 3ft black bear foot rest so that when he plays his video games he has a foot rest for the chair in our room...here are some pics of him opening that gift...

Christmas Eve...

Christmas Eve was at Debbie's...we had linguini with shrimp and crab meat (YUMMY!) then some mini cheesecakes. Debbie always has her table decorated pretty...it was a nice time with friends and family...the only one missing to make it complete was my Hubby. He was out protecting the world :-(

More from the last post...

"Twas 3 days before Christmas...

and all throught the Matelski, Charyak & Sharpley house, all the baking is done, and all the gifts are wrapped, tree is decorated, table is ready for our 11 guests, Thomas Kincade Manger is in place, Blow Up's have frost on them, and now the last piece...shopping tomorrow night for some last minute foods...

My Hubby...

Runs into this all the time. It makes you think that has to be the scariest thing in the world, and he walks in, saves lives and walks out. I am greatful for that every time I see this picture that my Hubby comes home to me every night. When I first met Dave, he called his Brother "&^%$#@ nut for running into a burning building! But now, he loves every minute of it...and I am proud to call him my Husband...Love you Pooh!

Something to ponder for the next few months...

Yukon Denali
or the Chevy Tahoe...?

I am not sure what kind of truck I want...I guess I will have to test drive them, but we are thinking by August/September I should have a new one...here are two of the options above. What do you think? Im too spoiled by my truck now to go back into a car, and now after driving Dave's monster I want a bigger one!

Are we Polish or what?

Of course we are...and its the bi-annual Perogie making festival.

Let's see...A basic perogie dough is...3 eggs, 3 cups of flour, a tablespoon of salt, and a cup of water. Mix...and walla! PEROGIE DOUGH! Once filled, boil and fry them up!

Now, you can fill them with what ever you want...we stay traditional (Potato & Cheese), (Saurkraut, salt pork and farmer's cheese), (Shredded Beef), and my Mom's favorite...(Blueberry). I wish I could have taken a pic of Dave kneeding the dough, but I was covered with flour and my hand full of dough and spooning in the ingrediants. As it stands, we made 21 dozen of Potato & Cheese, and 7 dz. of the meat...Only 20 more dz. to go!!!!

Christmas Decorations....

Were all ruined in the flood two years ago. We thought we salavaged the blow up's for the lawn...but when we went to plug them in, it was a no go. So...after emptying alllllll the boxes and finding mold on everything, we had to throw everything out! Very upsetting. All the homemade Christmas balls that my Mom and Aunt made by hand that I loved, all the corney decorations I made as a kid that my Mom hung on the tree every year, all the decorations...ruined. So, here is what our garbage men have to look forward too picking up...and this is the 2nd round of garbage

Thanksgiving...A few days late!

Always remember to...

This was the snack table...

So, we went up to my Uncle Lenny's in Mt. Gretna (right by Hershey Park) and when we got there at 3 dinner was ready...and we were ready for it! That turkey was yummy! and my Uncle made Onion Soup (by the way...I hate onions and I ate it! they were all pureeed and with cream so that made it all better!)