2011 Holiday Wrap Up.

Oh, get off my case, I know.  It's nice to know that I have a life though, right?  A life that keeps me so busy I have absolutely no time to blog?

You're right.  I was watching the Criminal Minds marathon again.  And again.  And again.  I can't help it!  Morgan is so hot!

Anyhoo, here's what you've all been waiting for:  The Holiday of 2011!  Woot woot!

Have I even talked about Thanksgiving?!  Hold on, let me check...  Eek!  Not a real blog post since Texas?!  My word, let's get on this!

Halloween 2011:


The highlights from this Halloween were definitely being with my 2 nieces, Jaiden (2 years old) and Nixie (11 months old).  It was Nixie's first Halloween and it was so exciting to have Tiffer and her family back home.

(Tiffer made a spooky breakfast with a blood red hand-shaped ice cube punch.)

Jaiden dressed as a Bumble Bee.

Nixie dressed as a Ladybug.

And Tiffer dressed as a flower.

How cute is that?!

Let me go back pre-Halloween here real quick.  In our family we have a tradition of carving pumpkins together while watching The Nightmare Before Christmas.  Well, last year and perhaps the years before we carved pumpkins WAY too early and so by the time Halloween came around?  Let's just say we didn't make them look so raunchy on purpose, but hey, it's Halloween so they totally fit the part!  Jaiden picked my pattern and it ended up being the scariest of the bunch!  And yes, I do carve my pumpkins freehand, in case you were wondering!

Ok, fast forward to the night before Halloween:  We took the girls to the church for their Annual Trunk or Treat.  I love going to these with my parents because I get a better opportunity to see the little kids in their costumes.  Sooo cute!

(My pumpkin was so scary, no other pumpkins dared to sit next to it.)

On the night of, I went with Tiffer to take the girls around the parents' neighborhood Trick or Treating.  Jaiden became a professional by the second house.  Remember, this is her second Halloween.  She walked with me, holding my to every house.  then as she braved the front steps of each house, she told me, "You stay here.  I will right back."  So much entertainment!

Thanksgiving 2011:


This last Thanksgiving was pretty small.  It may have been one of the top 5 smallest Turkey Days I've ever been too.  It consisted of only the parents, Gina, Tiffer and the girls, and myself.  But you know what?  That didn't mean a thing in the amount of food we prepared and engorged on!  It was also my best turkey yet, according to the family!  I got to teach Gina how I prep it, so that was pretty exciting.  I like to teach people the way I do things.  Especially when it's successful!

(One of the mandatory appetizers: cream cheese with sweet chili sauce and crackers.)

(The traditional pies.)

(The reminders.)

(Pickle.)

(My beautiful turkey trditionally being carved by The Godfather.)

Christmas 2011:

(Every Christmas season it is mandatory we get Sees.  Here's Mrs. Sees herself helping out!)

(We went to Candy Cane Lane down in Balboa to check out the lights.  Oh and this was my silly Christmas app that was fun to play with.)

(Sweet Baby Kate all bundled up.)

(The winner of it all!  I'd be so bummed if I were their neighbor...)

(Jady is always more than happy to pose for the camera.)

(This was my favorite of the season.)

Ah, Christmas.  (Oh, hold on, I have to take my meatloaf out of the oven.)  Where was I?  Oh yes, Christmas.  This year was another sort of different Christmas.  We were talking about doing another form of charity work but it's hard to do that when Christmas falls on a Sunday.  And so we decided no presents (except for the nieces and nephew) and then we would do each others' stockings.  It turned out perfect and was so much fun!

(Too many stockings for the chimney.  That's a fabulous Christmas!)

(Christmas Eve with Jady.)

This was the first Christmas for Ashley and Adam as a married couple, Nixie and Kate's very first Christmas, and it was such a happy time being all together!  We were sure to Skype VJ and his family later Christmas night so that everyone could show us what they got.

It was the perfect Christmas and I am so thankful for such an amazing family!

(One of the toys that was in my stocking!  Pickle yelled at me not to shine it in my eye.)

New Years Eve 2011:

(Ready for the big night out!)

NYE was... well... different.  Haha!  I decided to go with Gina and a couple of our friends to a Singles' event at Dave & Busters.  We were supposed to go to something that was more our age oriented, but it got cancelled (lots of drama we won't discuss) and we were told to go to this activity.

Nothing says Happy New Years than being at the same event as your exboyfriends' baby siblings!  One of them I've known since she was two.  The other since he was about seven.

Sweet.

We stood in line for what seemed like hours.  When we finally got inside, it was so packed you couldn't breathe, let alone walk anywhere without touching someone.  We got to one of the dance floors and decided to make the best of it!  And so we danced.  Until the heels made it unbearable to stand anymore.

(Green, Deanna and I dancing our hearts out.)

("This party blows" pose. Haha!)

We made the rounds and found ourselves sitting in the mechanical bull room.  We grabbed some stools and sat in a corner.  That was when the night got fun!  Who needed to walk around when everyone else was?  Everyone we knew, including some we hadn't seen in a long time, were making their own rounds and finding us!  It was hilarious.  Have you ever seen the How I Met Your Mother with the "woo girls?"  That was us.  Every time someone we knew rounded the corner and saw us, we wooed!

(Scary fog on NYE?  Not a good mix at 2:00AM.)

All in all, it was a fantastic New Years!  I even got home safely in the fog before all the drunks headed home!  YAY!

(Another New Years Kiss against Fiyero's will.)

And so you have it.  The holidays of 2011 in a nutshell!  Now I'm almost caught up!  Woo hoo!  Until next time!

Summer Fun!

I know, I know.  It's been WAY too long since I actual wrote something about myself and what's going on in my life.  I apologize.  Life has been VERY busy with lots of changes!

Let's catch up on Hollie's Summer Fun, 2011.  I'll just add some highlights aside from the beach, the pool, Disneyland, my tan, etc.

July 4th:
There is no place I'd rather be on July 4th than in my hometown of Huntington Beach.  I have been lots of places for this holiday but NONE compare to HB!

This year, Ashley and her fiance, Adam flew down from Oregon to celebrate with us.  Most of the day was full of lounging, eating and pool fun.  Maybe throw a nap in there as well. ;)  Just before 7:00 pm, we loaded our bikes into Chris's truck and were off towards the beach.  We parked the card and prepped our bikes and blankets (yes, it's still a little chilly in the month of July to me -- no surprise, really) and were off to the the beach!  There's something amazing about riding a bike along the beach as the sun is going down over the horizon.

(Auntie Ash meets Baby Kate!)

(Let's do this!)

(Adam jumps in to help unload.  What a gentleman!)

(Team Jones!)

(Gi, Green and Traci with a romantic sunset background.)

(The rents and I are ready for some fireworks!)

(All the single ladies!  Me, Gi and Green (Chris in the background))

We ended up on Dog Beach and walked our bikes towards the water and found a spot for the big show. This year, we were joined by Traci and Chris's little girl, Kate.  It was her first 4th of July and she had a blast!  I know it's hard to tell in the pictures, but she did.  I promise.  In fact she's in for more fun and get together as she grows older with us. :)  The fireworks began and everyone was in awe at the spectacular show.  It's just under the Disneyland fireworks shows to me.  Just spectacular!

Runs N Goses' Final Show:
I have a bunch of friends that I've known since high school.  They've always played shows and had their various bands, playing various types of music.  They're all very talented and oh, so much fun!

(Runs N Goses)

One of the "projects" that decided to do was a Guns N Roses cover band.  They played a lot of shows, always with a full house.  It was always SO much fun!  They did a great job and poor Rob was always hoarse for 3 days after busting out his version of Axl Rose vocals.  But he put on a great front after studying live performances of the band.  He even got the hips/body swing thingy (I don't know what to call it) down.  AND they all dressed up like the band members, including Gash (Slash).

(Jr. High School BFF and Rachel. First reunion since elementary school!)

(Krista and Paul came out to see what the fuss was about.)

(I like to force Cassie to take pictures.)

(The groupies!)

They played their last show late July.  Now when I say their "last show" I mean their last show until they decide to do a reunion show a few years down the road.  Haha!  I'm pretty sure this is their 3rd last show but we'll see.

(I'm with the band.  Ryan and Doug here.  Oh and my 5 inch heels.)

Steph's visit:
I was so lucky to be able to join up with my dear friend Stephanie when she came down for a few days to visit.  She moved to Ohio a couple of months ago and we all miss her dearly.  I've known this wonderful girl since I started working at ACC.  She is one of the smartest, loveliest women I have ever met and I am so blessed to have her as a friend!  I miss her dearly but get to meet up with her when I go to Texas this next coming weekend. ;)

(My ACC girls!  Me, Danielle, Jaime, Steph and Karen.)

Brudencosas in the house:
The most recent excitement this summer is the return of Tiffer and her family to Huntington Beach!  (Well, that and Ashley and Adam's wedding, but that gets a separate post.)  Anyhoo, Seanie has been accepted into officer training and so the girls have moved into my parents' house for a few months until they make a big move to Wyoming, their next adventure!  Personally, I am very excited to visit Wyoming again as it has so much beauty and places I haven't been to yet!  Yay!

(Jaiden loves to cheese for the camera!)

And so I get to be with Jaiden and Nixe and play with them and watch them as they grow older.  I cannot wait to see their new experiences and learn new things.  I cannot wait to take them to Disneyland and buy them toys and all the things an auntie does!  It'll be so much fun to have them here with baby Kate and watch them interact and have so much fun as cousins!  YAY!

(Jaiden and Nixie.  So excited to have them here!)

Big Move:
Oh yes.  Last but not least, I moved!  I was having such a difficult time with the new roommate that I had to get out.  I relocated to Long Beach in Belmont.  I now live in an apartment by myself and absolutely LOVE it!  I have missed the ocean air and the beach city life.  I can now walk to the beach from my apartment, walk to local shops and restaurants, and even walk to Junior High School Friend's (Jamie) apartment!  I am moving on up and I LOVE it!!! :D :D :D

(Cousins!  Nix, Jady and baby Kate visiting my new apartment.)

And so, that is the latest.  Those have been the highlights of the summer since Costa Rica.  Very memorable times.  All in all, it's been a great summer and I cannot wait to see what else lies ahead!

I'll be honest though...  After seeing all of the Halloween stuff and the blazing heat everywhere I go, I'm ready for fall!

Kate: An Adoption Story.

Kate Nickol Jones was born on April 5th, 2011.  She weighed in at a mere 6 lbs. 15oz. and was 18 1/2 inches long.  She had some hair, light brown and was just as cute as can be.

(A very happy daddy!)

(The new mom.  A natural!)

(I'm thinking... Shoes?)

Kate came to our family, namely, my oldest sister, Traci and her husband Chris, by way of an open adoption.  We were eating dinner one night when my mom had announced that some guests were coming over to visit.  A million thoughts crossed all of our minds.  As soon as the doorbell rang and I saw who entered, I knew exactly what was up.  I turned to my brother in law, Chris, and knew he knew too as we gave each other a nod.

A friend of my mom's and her daughter entered the house.  I almost burst into tears and I understood the reason they were visiting.  We all sat together in the family room, and the discussion began...

"After a lot of thinking... I've decided on the best thing for my baby.  I want you and Chris to have my baby and raise it as your own."

We all burst into tears as the actual words were spoken.  After all, this is such a HUGE decision for a young pregnant mother to make.  My sister was shocked and handled everything perfectly.  She made sure to remind her that this was a huge decision and wanted to be 100% sure it's the choice she wanted to make.

Fast forward to April 5th at 2am.  Traci and Chris get a call to come to the hospital.  I received a text a little after that saying "(Her) water broke and she's in labor.  Going to the hospital now!"  I was so excited and was texting Tiffer all morning!  It made it easier to use the Benincosa network since I knew Traci would be preoccupied with the whole birthing process.  In the end, Traci got to cut the umbilical cord and receive the "handoff" of her new baby daughter.

(Chris multitasking)

(Gramma Pickle and Grampa B.)

(Gramma and Grampa Jones)

Soon it was time for the birth certificate information.  The birth mother said she wanted to make it easier for Traci and Chris so they wouldn't have to keep changing the name on it and go through the whole long process.  she had wanted to name the baby Nickol in the beginning.  Traci gave her the name as a gift of thanks, placing Nickol as Kate's middle name, the way the birth mother wanted to spell it.

(A very happy Auntie)

(Feeding time!)

Baby Kate is at home with my sister and brother in law now.  She is so completely loved and cared for with 100% of the focus and attention.  She couldn't have asked for a more wonderful set of parents as they cherish her everyday.  I was able to meet Kate 2 days later, on the 7th.  She is a beautiful little girl and the perfect baby.  It is so amazing how many friends, and friends of friends, came through to assist my sister and her husband with many, many baby items, including clothes and other accessories!  She is going to be one of the most cherished little girls in the world!  I am just in awe at this little blessing that was bestowed upon my sister and her husband!  I thank God everyday for such an amazing gift.