Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Sale

Hello everyone! It's that time of year for us...you know, the never-ending fundraisers!! We started our Cookie Dough Sale today and order forms and money are due November 4th. This fundraiser is going towards Holy Family School's general fund which helps pay teacher salaries, buy supplies and help with other bills the school has.

We are offering the "Original" gourmet cookie dough and other outstanding delectables from Otis Spunkmeyer and Red Apple fundraising families. The Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough comes pre-formed for your convenience and packaged in a resealable tub. All Otis Spunkmeyer products may be kept frozen for up to 12 months.

The ease of preparation makes these perfect for afternoon snacks, holidays and just when you need a little bit of comfort. There are 12 irresistible flavors to choose from and each tub makes about 36 delicious cookies however, I have known people to cut them in half and therefore make 72. We are also offering thaw and serve brownies and gourmet pretzels. Each tub is $15.00.

CHOCOLATE CHIP
Loaded with semi-sweet chocolate chips
PEANUT BUTTER
Creamy smooth peanut butter for a moist, chewy cookie
WHITE CHOCOLATE MACADAMIA NUT
Macadamia nuts and white chocolate chips
CARNIVAL
Our signature chocolate chip cookie with milk chocolate candy coated pieces
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE
A unique blend of strawberries, cranberries and white confectionery chips
TRIPLE CHOCOLATE CHUNK
Milk chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chunks and white chocolate chips
BUTTER SUGAR
Sweet creamy butter makes this a classic
CRANBERRY OATMEAL
Plump, juicy cranberry bits with chewy oatmeal, sweetened with brown sugar and cinnamon
WHOLE GRAIN CHOCOLATE CHIP
Less than 30% calories from fat, less than 10% calories from saturated fat & less than 30% sugar
OATMEAL RAISIN
Bursting with plump juicy raisins
NEW CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE CHIP
A chewy chocolate cookie mixed with mounds of white and semi-sweet chocolate chunks
NEW CHOCOLATE & PINK
Chocolate cookie loaded with pink candy-coated chocolate pieces.
Purchases of this cookie help to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.




ORIGINAL BROWNIE
These fudgy, dense chocolate brownies are topped with semi-sweet chocolate chips. Specialty chips are melted throughout the batter to create an extra-moist brownie. Comes frozen, just thaw and serve!
GOURMET PRETZELS
Comes frozen with salt and cinnamon packets. Just bake & serve. Makes 12!
You may purchase any of these items through me by sending me a message or giving me a call. All money must be submitted to be so that I may have it it to the school no later than November 4th. If you are interested in purchasing on-line, that is also available. To order online, follow these simple directions in order to credit Holy Family with your purchase...
ON-LINE SHOPPING
Please click Here to purchase items that contribute to our fund raising efforts.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

You're Invited!!!


Please join me at my Josie~Girl Bowtique bow party.

Josie~Girl Bowtique specializes in custom handmade hairbows and accessories. At my party, you can shop from a huge selection of pre-made hair barrettes, boutique quality hairbows, headbands and other accessories for girls of all ages.

I encourage you to bring outfits to match-up with the hairbows and accessories that will be on hand. If a pre-made bow or barrette is not available, we can create a custom order just for you at the same price.

Please join my friends and I, for a fun time of mixing and matching ribbons and bows for that special girl in your life. Bows and barrettes can be purchased on-site and customorders will be handmade and delivered or shipped to you in 3 weeks or less.

Check out the josie~girl Bowtique website and blog for information on styles, colors, ribbons and upcoming events. For those of you who live out-of-town and cannot attend but would still like to purchase items, let me know and we'll get you accomodated!!!

http://www.josiegirlbowtique.etsy.com

Looking forward to seeing you!

Date: October 25, 2008

Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm

Place: 1548 5th Street; Clarkston, WA

Hostess: Brandi Nielson

RSVP Please: 509-758-2676



Don’t forget to bring a friend or neighbor!!!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Holy Family Annual Bazaar & Turkey Dinner

It's that time of year again. Get ready for this year's Bazaar and Turkey Dinner for Holy Family School & Parish. Come enjoy the best turkey dinner in the valley, stick around for the wonderful raffle drawings and don't forget the Game Rooms including the cake walk sponsored by the PTA.
So come join us for good eats, good fun & great company, October 26th from 11am-5pm in the Holy Family School Gym.

For those of you who aren't aware of how the Bazaar raffle works, here you go. Each ticket is $1 and puts you in the drawing to win one of 27 grand prizes!! For those of you who live out of town, winner need not be present to win! The drawing will be held following the turkey dinner around 5:15pm. Anyone interested in purchasing a ticket, please let me know. If out-of-towners would like to purchase them, simply tell me how many you would like, I will tell you your ticket stub numbers, mail me your money and I'll return your stubs to you. It's simple, easy and is supporting a good cause!

Here is the list of the 27 grand prizes....trust me folks, these are GREAT!!!

1. $2,500 CASH
2. A PIZZA A MONTH FOR A YEAR FROM FAZZARI'S FINEST
3. $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM FUCHS FLOWERS
4. $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM SCHURMAN'S HARDWARE
5. GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR PENDLETON THROW FROM LEE MORRIS COMPANY
6. $500 GROCERY CERTIFICATE TO CLARKSTON HEIGHTS FOOD CITY
7. QUILT STAND AND AFGHAN
8. $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM HAY'S PRODUCE
9. $400 CASH
10. AFGHAN
11. $25 SAVINGS ACCOUNT FROM THE LEWISTON CATHOLIC CREDIT UNION
12. $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM CLARKSTON HEIGHTS FOOD CITY
13. $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM RICK'S FAMILY FOODS
14. $300 GIFT CARD FROM HOME DEPOT
15. $100 CASH
16. $ALL SPORTS SEASON PASS FROM LCSC
17. $300 GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM SKELTON'S CARPET ONE
18. 20#'s SAUSAGE
19. $100 CASH
20. $100 CERTIFICATE FOR SCRIP (If you would like to know more about this, email me)
21. $200 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR HAY'S PRODUCE
22. $400 GAS CARD
23. $100 CASH
24. $250 CASH
25. $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM EARLY BIRD SUPPLY
26. $125 GAS CARD
27. $150 CASH

Remember, if any of you are interested in attending or purchasing tickets, please let me know. Admission for the dinner is $9 for adults, $5 for grades K-8 and Pre-school age and younger are free.

For those of you wondering what SCRIP is, this is a WONDERFUL fundraising program which costs you no more out of pocket than you would normally spend on everyday purchases such as groceries and gas. In cooperation with hundred's of nationwide businesses, the SCRIP program allows you the opportunity to purchase gift cards from these businesses and they donate a percentage of your purchase to our school. For example, when I am heading to Albertson's to buy groceries, I pick up a $100 Gift Card from the school for $100 and then Albertson's donates 4% of that back to Holy Family. This is incredibly easy to do and also think about your Christmas list this year!! Gift cards make great stocking stuffers so why not give back to our school when you purchase them!! For anyone interested, let me know and I will send you more information.

Thanks to each and every one of you! It's with your support that we are able to keep this wonderful learning environment open for our children.

Kierra's First Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Where we live, we are fortunate enough to have a nearby produce farm. Every fall, they open their pumpkin patch to the public and invite all to share in a wonderful opening day of celebrations, fun and games. This year, we skipped all the busy times and opted to go for a little quiet time since it was Kierra's first trip. It was nice since besides one other family, we were the only people there. The kids had a blast in the "straw" fort and they absolutely LOVE picking out the largest pumpkins they can find and of course, who can go to the pumpkin patch without grabbing a nice cup of their own freshly-made apple cider??? It was a wonderful family afternoon. I've posted some wonderful pictures of the event as Kierra was happy as can be with all the new things to discover. Happy Fall everyone!!

WILSON-BANNER RANCH

OCTOBER 12, 2008

Our Marriage Blessing Ceremony

Yesterday was a splendid day! As posted before, it took me a lot to get ready for this day but it wouldn't matter what I had to do, it was worth it. I have waited a little over 7 years for this day to come and a little over 1 in making it happen. Yesterday, October 11, 2008, Bradley and I had our marriage blessed in the Catholic Church. For most, this might seem like a simple thing but for me it was quite the process. I'll spare you with all the details but the good part is that I finally am back as a full parishioner in the Catholic church and I feel COMPLETE in every sense of the word. But, as you know, with wonderful "weddings" come even more-wonderful receptions!!! We outfitted our entire back yard with the whole shabam. Yes, we would have liked to been able to have the party a couple months ago when the weather was warmer than 57 degrees but hey, we had to wait until bonus time!! Anyway, we had it all! A large canopy covering 6 decorated tables, colorful Chinese lanterns, candles on the tables, a patio heater (definitely a necessity), a cooler of pop for the kids and another necessity, a large trough filled with beer and ice for the rest of the party-goers. It was potluck style with Bradley tending the barbecue and the rest of us catering with salads, bean dishes and finger foods. For dessert it was cheesecake with three topping choices for the adults and frosted cupcakes for the kids. We spent the entire afternoon and most of the evening outdoors, bundled up with many great friends and family members and Bradley even kept the party going after hours with his friends Shane and Chris and my brother Brad. I think he made it to bed around 1:00am. It was a wonderful day and even though it was mighty cold, we stayed warm with great love and wonderful support from all our guests!!! Here are a couple pictures from our blessing...
Bradley putting my ring on my finger
Me struggling to put his ring on
The perfect end to a perfect ceremony
Us with Father Tom

And, I'm Back with a Posting Marathon

WOW, I can't believe it's been three weeks since my last post! I guess time sure does fly by when your busy or in my case, EXTREMELY busy! Here's what I've been up to during my long absence...

September 22nd-28th

This week started with a coed softball game on the 22nd then again on the 24th and 25th. As well as the softball game on the 25th, I had to take Jordyn to soccer practice and a Josie-Girl Bowtique Open House Party the same night...it was non-stop running from one place to the next. On the 26th, I spent the day cleaning the house, packing our luggage for the weekend, preparing my PTA meeting, picking up pizza for said PTA meeting and attending the PTA meeting. On the 27th, Jordyn had her first soccer game which she only got to play 30 minutes of because then we were on the road to attend two weddings!That morning was outrageously crazy! I had to finish some packing that didn't get done, go shopping and buy some last minute outfit necessities, stop at Myklebust's and pick up two shirts for the ring bearer in one wedding because they sent him the wrong size, get the van packed, go to Jordyn's soccer game, come home and get her changed out of her soccer clothes, get gas in the car plus stop in Costco to pick something up for Kierra and finally get on the road. We arrived at the first wedding with about 20 minutes to spare before it started!
The entire day was spent driving the 20 minute drive between weddings but both were very BEAUTIFUL! This is a picture of Josh & Whitney Kaschmitter, the son of dear family friends.We were only able to make the reception of the second wedding but we ended up staying out until 1:00 that morning...it was nuts! Sunday was reserved for driving home, unpacking the van and RESTING!
September 29th-October 5th

The first part of this week was slow in comparison to the prior week but picked up again on the 1st. It was picture day for the kids so I ended up not going into work until after 11:00 so that I could stay home and get the kids dressed appropriately and Jordyn's hair done. Work ran a little late that day but nothing too serious. We ended the day with a softball game. On the 2nd Brad and I decided to head to Spokane for some much needed clothes shopping and to celebrate his upcoming birthday. We were only able to find someone to watch Jordyn since the schools were not in session those days all the daycares were full which meant we headed to Spokane with Jeylin and Kierra. Jordyn had soccer practice that day which was another reason she stayed behind. We left Lewiston around 10:00 that morning, a little later than I would have liked but I had to work so we couldn't leave until I was done. We got home from Spokane around 10:00 that night as well...it was an incredibly long day of "marathon" shopping as my friend Alaina puts it :) On the third, we had another softball game and on the 4th, after Jordyn's soccer game, we attended a birthday party for Alaina's son, Tristan. The 5th was spent recovering, AGAIN!

October 6th-Present Day

This week was CRAZY! I had so much to do because we were preparing for a party which I will tell you about in another post. Monday and Tuesday were spent painting Jeylin's room to try and get it ready for the party but it's still "in progress". Wednesday, we had playoff softball games which were the best out of three games and they didn't start until 7:45 that evening. We only had time to play two obviously since by city ordinance the park lights must be out by 11:00pm and we played until 10:30. It was freezing! By the time we were done playing my legs, toes, fingers, nose, ears and butt were completely numb. I got home and jumped straight into the tub and then remembered that I hadn't finished my fliers for the school to submit to parents, another wonderful part of being PTA president! I got right to work on those, wrapping up at around 1:00am and headed for bed only to be up at 5:00 for work. Thursday was a LONG day! I had a job interview and Jordyn had soccer practice again. We spent the rest of the week cleaning and preparing for our party on the 11th!

So as you can see, between softball games, soccer games and now, Bradley's starting football, PTA meetings and duties, trips to Spokane, home improvement projects, party planning, birthday parties, weddings, and job interviews, little time was left for blogging. I would like to say that since I'm now blogging that the rest of this month is looking promising, I must warn you that I might be away until November again. Upcoming for the remainder of October, my job office is moving to a new location all week long, Brad's 33rd birthday party on the 17th, Grangeville trip (to pick up the kids) on the 18th-19th, soccer practices every Thursday, soccer games every Saturday, another PTA meeting to be scheduled, scheduling of parent volunteers to work our Holy Family Bazaar (look for information to come), set-up for Bazaar on the 24th, Josie-Girl Bowtique Home Party in my home on the 25th (also more information to come), Holy Family Bazaar & Turkey dinner on the 26th, field trip to the pumpkin patch with Jeylin's pre-school class on the 29th, Holy Family Halloween party on the 30th and the ever-important Halloween on the 31st! Oh yeah and throw in the mix somewhere, early plannings of Kierra's 1st birthday party! Can you believe it?!?!?! She's grown so fast but I must say, I am really looking forward to November. Some time to rest, family visits and Thanksgiving day!! Well, until the next post!