COUSINS CAROL AND FRED_LONG TIME NO SEE N.J. RELATIVES AND ECU LIBERTY BOWL GAME

Jeff, thanks for watching the Liberty Bowl Game with us last evening....The puppies LOVE YOU!

After a bitter defeat in the Liberty Bowl Game against ECU and University of Kentucky, our N.J. cousins Carol and Fred Strusburg stopped in on route to Hilton Head to visit their youngest son who is finishing up Marines boot camp at Paris Island. We shared a great breakfast at Courtneys and talked over "old times" with the Cooper Family. We have not visited since 2001. We promise to make a N.J. visit sometime in the near future. They hope to travel today through Columbia to see Jane, Peter, and Mama.

January 31, 2008 New Year's Eve

A fun time was had by all at the Solashes last evening at the NYE celebration. All contributions of appetizers, sides, turkey, champagne, wine, Godiva chocolate cheesecake made the mealtime delicious and memorable. We were glad to meet Judy's and Jeff's friends, John and Sandra, from Michigan. Glad they are having some good NC weather to enjoy! We are hoping everyone has a happy, safe, and prosperous New Year in 2009! We are also hoping that the Stock Market will be better to us all!

An Afternoon With Amelia While Mommy and Daddy Were Busy

Bubby and Poppie were delighted to see the Disney Cinderella movie which Amelia can recite word for word during the morning, a trip to the lake to feed the ducks, seagulls, and turtles, and on to her favorite "Marbles Museum" for plenty of dress up and imagnative play. It was a busy afternoon for us all!

HOLIDAY FAMILY GET TOGETHERS

There were plenty of get togethers in Columbia,SC and in Raleigh over the past week. First stop was to take Ray, Patty, and Bruce to SC to wisit with Mama Cooper at Still Hopes and at Jane and Peter's home. We were fortunate that Maury and I could take some time off to prepare for lots of family and lots of celebrations. Christmas Eve we shared an Indian Dinner with the Steele Family, Caren and the Kids and plenty of fellowship and presents to open. Christmas morning we all gathered at Jason's and Meredith's for a wonderful / tasty holiday brunch. Amelia began her three day "princess frenzee" opening plenty of dolls, Fancy Nancy, pjs, figurines, books, eating utensils, Cinderella wedding ensemble, etc. at more than one family celebration. With all that was going on....she remained very polite, appreciative, and quite the little lady. Friday brought a weekend visit to Raleigh from Jane and Peter bringing Ray, Patty and Bruce back to our house for more celebrations and time together. We also enjoyed celebrating Hannukah and Caren's birthday during our time together. Everyone returned home safely after a great five day holiday.

A FAMILY OF HOLIDAY COOKS AND MEAL EVENTS

This holiday was filled with plenty of international cuisine...Chinese, French, Indian, and Italian and just good cooking! Some cooked by us...and some provided by Raleigh's restaurant scene. It was great to see friends and family from Portland, Oregon, Columbia, SC, Brooklyn, NC, Charlotte, NC and Raleigh, NC . Everyone appeared to have a good time and was well fed!