Our Military Kids

Christmas Gift Wish List

WE DID IT!!

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED OUT

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

The following came in one of the emails we received from a military family responding to our call for their family wish list:  Hello, as I sit here crying and wondering how I’m gonna Pay my bills, I get this email.  All I can say is Thank you!!!!!!

Once again Santa and I are teaming up with Our Military Kids in an attempt to bring some extra holiday cheer to children of our injured and fallen service members and their families.  We’ve compiled a Christmas Gift Wish List for 40 families of these SUPERHEROES.  I’m hoping everyone will check out this list and consider purchasing one item, serving as Santa for an individual child or even sponsoring an entire family. The latter is a great option for a company or office to consider.

 

The list below will be posted until Christmas and will be updated over the next few weeks.  Please follow our progress at my Website: www.bobnelsonteam.com and give me a call or drop an e-mail to: Santa@bobnelsonteam.com to let him know how you would like to brighten a family’s Christmas day.  Once you have done so, we will give you the contact info for the family to contact them and then send your gift(s) directly to the family.  I would also encourage you to visit www.Our Military Kids.org to learn more about this wonderful grassroots organization that does so much all year long for the kids.

 

Last year’s overwhelming response helped not only bring gifts to nearly 100 kids, but several of you stepped up and bought Christmas dinners for some of the families.  Hopefully we can complete the following list quickly and add additional families

 

2011 CHRISTMAS WISH LIST

40 WOUNDED

WARRIOR FAMILIES

 

Family names will be in green until such time as the wish list items have been accounted for.

I have moved all the fully adopted families towards the bottom.  Santa still needs help with those families whose names are in GREEN.

 

Humphrey Family – ADOPTED BY LISA KORY AND FRIENDS

Amanda, girl, 11:  Ninendo DSI XL blue; Michael Jackson dance game for Wii; laptop with WiFi capabilities

Alan, boy, 14:  Assassin’s Creed Revelations ultimate Bundle Xbox 360 game; halo Reach LBox 360; Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary Xbox 360 game; marching snare drum with harness; laptop with WiFi capabilities

 

Bond Family  - Adopted by David Moxley and Bob and Nancy Nelson

Hayden, boy, 9:  Model cars, Buffalo Sabres sweatshirt or jersey, size 10 (being purchased by David Moxley)

 

Dubois Family –  Adopted by Otto Hoernig III – Trace Systems

AJ, 11:  electric scooter or mountain bike

Mathew, 8:  electric scooter or Wii console

Madison, 4:  Dora the Explorer play kitchen w/ accessories ($90 at WalMart); dresses, princess and fairy costumes, size 6-7 or size medium

sses, Barbies, loves  the color pink, size 6 regular clothes

 

Henchell Gower Family – Adopted by Andrea Kammann

Brianna , age 8:  Doley Metal Detector; Air Extreme – the shard; Figets – a purple one, Zoobles, Butterfly pillow pet

 

Sims Family – Adopted by Richard Whaley

Shevaneil Lawrence, girl, 16:  personal computer for school; new clothes, sneakers; electronic store gift card, e.g. Best Buy toward buying a personal compute

 

Lundy Family – Adopted by Otto and Nita Hoernig

Ny’shira , girl, 9:  Kindle or Nook reading system, Razor E100 Scooter Daisy$109 Toys R Us

Jayden boy, 6:  Kinect for the Xbox system, $149.99 at Toys R Us with adventures game; Leap pad Explorer Learning Tablet $99.99 or Vtech Innotab Learning tablet $79.99 at Toys R Us

 

Stephens Family  Adopted by Collingswood Nursing Home

Chloe Earnheart, girl, 10:  Hot pink/silver/black 24” Mongoose girls bicycle

Hali Gipson, girl, 10:  Crosman 760 Pink Air Rifle Starter Kit

Mikey Earnheart,boy, 16:  Bass Pro Shop Tourney Special Baitcase

 

Villapilando Family – Laura Hoernig

5yr old is Tristan likes Pirate of Caribean or Star Wars legos, Wii Mario cart game with driving wheel remote, Razor scooter and also likes the NERF Praxis blaster. He’s a big Marvel fan. Any captain America, Thor, hulk, wolverine, etc.

Aj (14) also likes NERF Vortex Nitron disc blaster, he likes paintball so any paintball gear, gun, or uniform. He wants PS3 video games(God of War 1,2 or 3, Skyrim).

Maryna (12) wants Just Dance 2 for Wii. She likes Kareoke and wants black UGGS in size 8. She loves music so music down loads would be great!

 

Plank  Family – Adopted by Bob and Nancy Nelson

Landon Plank, boy,  8yrs. Old: beyblade extreme top system ir spin control (blue and grey, any would be ok I am sure), spynet audio bug, spynet video glasses, youth boxing gloves, brava soccer goal with targets, hyper active airhogs race car

Caylah Plank, girl, 3 yrs. Old:  Leapfrog tag reading learning system, leapfrog leapster explorer camera, fisher-price smart cycle racer with software (any) anything to do with gymnastics

Kevin, boy, 7 yrs. Old: For the most part both boys like the same toys and would benifit from having the same toys or whatever is chosen for them really. They do pretty much everything together. They play all the same sports and play with all the same toys.  They both also like anything Transformers, legos, spynet, airhogs, hotwheels, and beyblades.

Garcia-Becker Family – Adopted by David and Lisa Lesser

Ryan Hunt Jr., 13 years old: He would like to ask Santa Bob for anything that has to do with the NFL Team Steelers. He would really like to have a Hooded Jacket. It can be found at Steelers Official Online Store. The item is called Youth Momentum Midweight Hooded Jacket (Item SKU: 51-273) Size XL (18-20). Ryan would also like a gift card to shop at Tilly’s. http://www.tillys.com/tillys/gc.aspx

Jacob Hunt, 12 years old: He would like to ask Santa Bob for the following items mentioned below: Xbox 360 Live Marketplace Points 1600 DLC; Madden NFL 12 for XBOX 360; Universal Stealth Game Storage Tower by Level Up (Found at GameStop); Energizer Rechargeable Batteries & Charger AA/AAA

Maryanne Hunt, 9 years old, She would like the following: Barbie Designable Hair Extensions and Doll (Can be found at Toys R US); Crayola Creative Art Supply 70 Accessory Set for Girls, Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven, First Act Discovery Designer Acoustic Guitar – Dragon Fly Design or the Pink Wedged Hearts By: First Act; Unicorn Pillow pet or Zippity Zebra Pillow pet (Can be found at http://mypillowpets.com/), Squinkies with Toy for Nintendo DS.

Jason Becker Jr., 3 years old: Fisher-Price Power Wheels Toy Story Lil’ Quad (toddler version) or similar product; Toddler T-Ball set; “Playful Penguin” Pillow Pet; Hot Wheels/Matchbox cars, Hot wheel car holder/case; Art set (no paints please); Remote Controlled “Cars” car (Lightning McQueen)

Alexis Becker , 7 years old: Exclusive Monster High Ghoul Spirit Fear leading Doll 3-Pack – Draculaura; Cleo de Nile and Ghoulia Yelps (at Toys R Us), Disney Princess: 23 Piece Play Make-Up Set (at Toys R Us or any type of other Play make-up set there is no preference in colors; Monster High 2GB Digital MP3 Player with Video (at Toyrus); Pillow Pets 11 inch Pee Wees – Curious Cat (Toys R Us), Crayola Art Supply Essentials Bundle (Walmart), Zoobles “spring to Life” with toy game for Nintendo DS. (Walmart)

 

Ouart Family – Marie Barresi, Keller Williams and her neighbors

Skylar, boy, 13:  new pair of baseball batting gloves, youth XL; a new football; ITune gift cards, Xbox 360 live games

Brady,  boy, 11:  Xbox Live 360 games; fishing equipment of any kind

Jayden, boy, 8:  a soccer ball; baseball bat for a boy 42” tall; an easybake oven, reading books for level 3; Xbox 360 game; gift card; Kinnex and a Whip Out game for it

 

Salas Family – Ralph Quarles Family

Angelo Quintero, boy, 11:  blue bike; any type of science toy

Adam Quintero, boy, 8:  any Transformers, Hot Wheels Track

Lee Family – Adopted by Chris Melnick and Gina Clough – Double Eagle Title

Laken, girl, 14:  a pair of “Miss Me Jeans”, size 5

Erin, 11:  Xbox games “Black Ops” and “Just Dance”

Bradi, 4:  Leapfrog leap pad and software; Pink

 

Allen Family – Adopted by Rick and Amy Buchanan

Ryann, girl, 6:  *

Deryn, girl, 9:  *Both girls would love Barbie dolls, American Girl Dolls, iCarly and Victorious Barbie Doll that sings when you raise its arms

 

Cintron Family – Adopted by Michael Vandergrift (Washington First Bank)

Joshua, boy, 7:  portable DVD player, black, model Sony DVP-FX970 9: Portable DVD Player

Curran Family – Adopted by John and Chris Yaremchuk and Kerry Digges

Susan, girl, 14:  From Victoria Secrets -  yoga pants, size adult Medium; stocking turrets; “Pink” perfume in different colors with different scents; any pajama bottoms

Jimmy, age 10:  still believes in Santa; he likes basketball and football; he loves sports, so anything that can fit his stocking would be great

 

Gallo Family – Adopted by Nacer Benzekri – NBC Security Group

JOEY: Lego City Police mobile unit, Angry Birds knock on wood game, Mario Kart  7 for DS, Good neighbors @bikini bottom Lego set (sponge bob), Angry bird plush

JOSHUA: Mario Kart 7 for DS, WWE breakdown brawl ring, WWE Triple H & Randy Orton action figures, WWE The Rock action figure, WWE Big Show action figure

WWE Sheamus action figure, Pillow Pet Shark

KYLE: Rocky the Robot Truck, Little Tykes talk to me soccer set, Mickey Mouse clubhouse DVD, Sit n’ spin, Fisher Price fun to imagine workshop project

Mickey Mouse pillow pet

KAYDEN: Leapster Leappad, Fisher Price zoo talkers animal sounds, Pillow pet orca

LORELAI, girl 9: Chocolate mini dot anywhere bean bag chair from Pottery Barn item #3642584, Simon Flash, Scrabble alphabet soup

Hester Family – Adopted by Shiner Roofing and Siding

Carlee, girl, 5:  Nintendo DS

 

Kenney Family – Adopted by Mary Ellen and Mark Hartley

Shelby girl, 14:   Kindle Touch

Emily, girl:  Kindle Touch

 

Martin Family – Adopted by Gene and Laura Smith

Stuart, boy, 14:  Mask, fins and snorkel

*Please  contact the dad; there is a local shop he would like to have Stuart visit to purchase these gifts

 

Matthews Family – Adopted by Shiner Roofing and Siding

Kamran Lee, boy, 17

Kalon Joe, boy, 16:  they would like to get together a basketball goal and a basketball for each of them; a pump for the basketballs and some NBA sweatbands for wrist and head

 

SGT McClendon Family (Adopted by Kathy and Kevin Shea)

Naje, girl, 9:  La La Loopsy doll and clothes (JC Penny, Sears or Justice gift cards)

 

Miller Family – Adopted by Shiner Roofing and Siding

Alyson, girl, 17: Walkables, Dry Erase Board and markers and eraser, AA Batteries, Barbie I can Be .. News Anchor Play set. Play Video camera, CD Boombox… any kind really, but this one is pink and only at Toys R Us. SMS Text Messenger pink or purple, Bratz on the Mic Dolls

Lauren, girl, 15: Walkables, Dry Erase Board and markers and eraser, AA BatteriesHello Kitty MEGA BLOKS, Smurfs DVD, SMS text messenger pink or purple, ZHU ZHU Pets, Moxie Girlz riding club walking horses, Bratz on the mic dolls

 

Mylott Family – Adopted by Shiner Roofing and Siding

Megan, daughter:  LaLaloopsy mini packs/mini dolls, Gift card for Claire’s (a store for girls)
Pink Figit Friend, LaLaloopsy silly hair doll

 

Pulido Family – Adopted by Eric and Nina Brugel

Kaitlin, girl, 10:  Just Dance 3 Wii game, $40; Kirby’s Return to Dream land, $50; Disney Universe, $50

Kinsley, girl, 6:  Barbie 3-story Dream Townhouse, pink, $145.09

 

Rivera Family – Adopted by Christine Wesbrook and Ron Kellogg

Angel  Quirioga, boy, 6:  Disney Pixar Toy Story 3 U-Command Buzz Lightyear (ToysRUs)

 

Ruff-Sloan Family – Adopted by Mary and Chris Fountain

Boy:  Lego Medieval Market Village (http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Medieval-Market-Village-10193)

 

J. Stubenhofer Family – Adopted by Jennifer Klaussen and Tim Heil – Keller Williams Realty

Hailey Rice, girl,10:  arts and crafts, ballet

Cameron, boy, 7:  transformers and remote control helicopters

Max, boy, 3:  Power Rangers and Star Wars

 

Sabo Family – Adopted by Dave and Ambre McLaughlin

Lindsey, girl:  Kindle Touch and its case (Duragadget purple genuine leather book stylecase/cover) from amazon.com;  American Girl doll “Julie”

Sarah, girl:  “Molly” American Girl Doll; IPOD Touch; IPOD Nano; Fijit friend purple plus ear accessories

Rachel, girl:  “Ruthie” American Girl doll; IPOD Touch; Fijit friend logan in blue plus the ear accessories

 

Sanders-Easley Family – Adopted by Gina and Doug Jones

Briana, girl, 16:  IPOD Touch or and IPOD, any color; ladies shoe, size 11, a pair of Jordans

 

Schu Family – Adopted by Glynis and Rudy Canto – Keller Williams Realty

Abigail, girl, 6:  Anything Barbie, a Barbie car, Barbie clothes, etc.; Leap Frog Tag reading books, beginner reader level; 3^rd season iCarly DVD; Crayola art supplies/activities

Noah, boy, 4:

Shannon Family – Adopted by Wendy Haig – Iron Horse Interactive

Jessica, girl, 17:  wants to start snowboarding. She is our oldest and a Junior in high school and will be 17 on Christmas day. Anything from a snowboarding outfit, gloves, goggles, etc would be great.

Vanessa, girl, 15:she loves electronics games and listening to music so I might suggest I-tunes machine or any other. I don’t know much about that stuff.

Sarah, girl, 12: she would like her own computer. Those are probably too expensive I would imagine. She also loves listening to music and playing games. We have a Wii, so more games might be an idea.

 

Smith Family – Adopted by Peggy and Tom Styer – Blackbird Technologies

Boy, 16:  Xbox war games or NFL 2012; men’s shirts (large); pants 30 x 32

Boy, 14:  Shirts, XL; pants 33 x 30

Girl, 13:  “primping” stuff; makeup brushes; women’s pants size 4; medium shirts, snow boots, size 7

Jessica, girl, 5:  Princesses, Barbies, loves the color pink, size 6 regular clothes

 

Sparks Family – Adopted by Peggy and Tom Styer – Blackbird Technologies

Katie, girl, 14:  Gift cards, teenager, likes to be able to SHOP

Thad, boy, 11:  Xbox360 MW3, Lego Pirates, and ITune gift cards

Alex, boy, 3:  art supplies

Kason:  12 inch bike

 

Taylor Family – Adopted by Jerry and Jacqui Grossman

Austin, boy,11: Pokemon mini plush stuffed animal Pidove, Pokemon large plush stuffed animal Pansage, Nintendo 3DS, Wii Mario Sports Mix game, Wii Mario Party 8 game. Xbox 360 Forza MotorSport 4 game, Nerf N Force Big Nerf Sword (2), Havoc Heli Control the Skies remote control helicopter, Nintendo 3DS game a) Starfox64 b) Ridge Racer, JLX Fast Lane Matrix Motorcycle, RC Tuner Racer Nissan GT-R, Happy Napper Castle/Dragon, Angry Birds Poster (number C-7), Wii Nunchuk (black), Wii Remote Plus (blue)

Sarah, girl,5 ½: Pokemon mini plush stuffed animal a) Munna b) Sandile, Bobby Jack Monkey/Star Blanket w/ Eye Mask, Disney Princess 3 in 1 Sleepwear Set, Hello Kitty Digital Video Recorder w/ Camera, Nintendo DS Lalaloopsy Sew Magical!  Sew Cute! game, Rapunzel Umbrella, Girlie Nails Little Nails for Little Fingers, Hello Kitty Pilot Case, TM! Purse , Olivia Folding Saucer Chair, Olivia Hearts Handbag, Olivia Plush Back Pack, Fur Real Go Go My Walking Pup, Fur Real LuLu My Cuddlin Kitty, Make-Up Case w/ Accessories, Barbie Slippers (size 12-1), Barbi Designable Hair Extensions and Doll, Orbeez Soothing Spa (kids’ foot bath), 42 inch Lying Horse stuffed animal, Toys R Us Sammie the Pup Veterinary Kit, Kawasaki Barbie KFX 4-Wheeler (pink), Fisher Price Barbie Power Wheels (pink), Schwinn 20″ girls heart cruiser bike, Graco Room Full of Fun (doll accessories), Graco Tea Time High Chair, Graco Travlst w/Canopy (doll carrier), Graco Jogger Stroller (for doll), Barbie Flashlight, Happy Nappers Lady Bug (hot pink), You & Me Bunk Bed (for doll). You & Me Sleep Stroller (for doll), You and Me 4 in 1 Combo (doll accessories), Barbie Glamour Camper ,Hello Kitty Electric Guitar *  All of these items are at ToysRUs; please make choices from the list; the family would also be just as happy to receive gift cards if that helps save on shipping costs, etc.

 

Thomas Family – Adopted by the Legler Family

Tamarah, girl,16 and Deanna Thomas, girl,11:  both would love gift certificates from Charming Charlies or Bath and Body Works

 

Tiani Family – Adopted by Laura Hoernig-Rhodes

Olivia age 14 gift cards to hollister,vans, forever 21

Zeppie age  12 gift card to vans,kohls gift card

Phoenix ( has cp ) age 9 itunes gift card, tbc

Rocco age 7 ninjajago legos, beyblade triple battle set,richochet remote car,car carry case,toy paintball gun

Joiebelle age 5 innotab,ladybug tea set,playdoh,hello kitty jacket, Littlest Pet Shop Blythe Loves Littlest Pet Shop: Look-Alike Ladybugs,Hello Kitty Let’s Go Fishin’ Game

Daxander age 11 months sit n stand learning walker,little people zoo

 

Wilks Family – Adopted by Louis and Chris Wise

Chloe, girl, 11 :  IPOD Nano; Kindle; gift certificates to clothing stores Kohls or American Eagle; any type of drawing/art supplies (she loves to draw with pencil)

 

Youngblood Family – Adopted by Gina and Doug Jones

Haley, girl, 12:  IPOD Touch or Amazon Kindle e-reader

 

 

Military Appreciation Mondays

Supports

Operation One Voice

America’s Special Forces are some of the finest in our military. Their work is highly classified and, due to the inherent risks in their duties, they suffer casualty rates more than 4 times higher than those of the conventional forces outside of Iraq. In many cases, these casualties involve young people who are beginning their careers. These brave soldiers leave behind families who often have no resources to provide a surviving child with a college education. Operation One Voice strives to relieve military families of such a burden.

Please join us on September 26th for this month’s Military Appreciation Mondays dinner, where we will be hosting the the group “Operation One Voice”. The organization was established by Duluth, Georgia police and firefighters to provide support to the families and children of injured and fallen Special Forces men and women. You can click on the link Operation One Voice to learn how this group supports the families of the injured and the fallen.

Please be sure to make a reservation sooner rather than later with the Old Brogue. As those who attended last month’s dinner found, due to overflow we had about 15 people ended up sitting on the back porch. Just call (703) 759-3309 and let them know if you would like to attend the 5:30 or the 7:30 seating.

For those of you unfamiliar with how MAM works, you simply come out and enjoy a great dinner at the Old Brogue in Great Falls. My co-sponsors and I will each make a 10% match of your dinner tab. For last month’s dinner in support of the Navy SEAL Foundation we had a total of 22 co-sponsors step forward, resulting in a match of 220 percent. Please let us know if you might be willing to step forward and volunteer to be a co-sponsor for this month.

We will also have door prize drawings as always, and we certainly welcome any items you might like to donate for the drawing.

I can assure you that this evening and the money we are able to raise will mean a great deal to the Special Forces families. We would love to see a room full of faces who recognize the sacrifices our nation’s TRUE HEROES are asked to make each and every day. Please come join us in sending the message that we truly care.

Of course feel free to drop me an e-mail or give a call if you can’t make it out for dinner, but would like to make a donation.

We hope to see you all on the 26th!

Last month’s Co-Sponsors were:

Pat Martin

Cox Family

David Lesser

Kaihara Family

Tim Heil Family

Grossman Family

Bob Nelson Family

Peter Engle Family

Jim Glerum Family

Bert Calland Family

Karl Pierson Family

Larry Nelson Family

Neil and Juja Sylvestre

Greg and Jeff Hanscom

Doug and Jane Hanscom

Scott and David LaMorte

Dawson Richardson Family

The Old Brogue

Double Eagle Title

Taylor Allgyer – First Savings Mortgage

James Gaudiosi – First Heritage Mortgage

Jim Black – Paragon Communications Solutions

For the past 2+ years, we have been hearing that housing starts are down. In the shallow way in which our media reports things, this has been presented as something less than desirable. Although not an economist, for the same 2+ years, I have been saying that this is actually a very good thing for the long term health of both our housing market and the U.S. economy in general. Builders and investors got carried away with home construction during 2004 and 2005. They ended up putting way to much inventory into the market place than was needed. We are just now entering into a period where there is beginning to be housing shortages (in certain markets). This in turn has caused rents to increase. This is very much the case in parts of Fairfax and Arlington Counties.

The June 20th issue of the Economist contains an article entitled: “Will housing save America’s economy?” that is discussing the fact that there is a large pent up demand for new housing. To read the full Article, click on the link: Economist Article. Hope you find this of interest.

Please join us on May 9th for next week’s Military Appreciation Mondays dinner where we will be recognizing Our Military Kids.  This is the event that was originally scheduled for April 25th.  While last weekend’s news about Osama bin Laden is extremely exciting, we must remain more vigilant than ever.  With that said, our troops and their kids deserve ever greater support and appreciation.  Nancy and I hope you can join us at the Old Brogue where we will be recognizing our nation’s true Superheroes.  Please be sure to call the Brogue and make a reservation for either the 5:30 or 7:30 seating.  Feel free to either call me or send an e-mail if you would like more info or would like to sign on as a $200 or $100  cosponsor.  We are also always looking for door prize support as well.

Sold

Beautifully Upgraded 4 Bedroom Townhouse withing walking distance of Metro.

Priced at $445,000

Link to photos should be available by 4/25.

Offered at $1,900,000

This fabulous Craftsman style home is located within minutes of DC. The elegant dining room is perfect for those formal occasions. The main level kitchen/family room and the lower level club room with bar and fabulous home theater provide a more casual venue. The kitchen features granite countertops and maple cabinetry with Subzero refrigerator, Viking range, Thermador wall oven and microwave, and Bosch dishwasher. The lower level bar area includes a refrigerator, ice-maker, oversized wine chiller and Bosch dishwasher.

Priced at Only $564,900

Come home to this wonderfully landscaped, updated Franklin Farm home. The beautifully remodeled kitchen includes maple cabinets, corian countertops, Jenn-air and Kitchenaid appliances. A high efficiency gas furnace combines perfectly with recently installed Schuco triple pane windows. The 2007 remodeled MBA is beyond compare.  Click on the photo above to view the Mouse on House Tour virtual tour.  You can’t help but love the kitchen and MBA.

I have been thrilled with the feedback I’m getting from everyone who has sponsored one of the military families.  I just received the following from the family Nancy and I adoted.

Good Morning!
I just wanted to thank you again for your generosity!  I received the box this morning.  Our boys will be so thrilled and it definitely takes a lot of pressure off of us financially as we wait for Allen’s VA claim to come through.  Families like yours have made our journey of adjusting to disabilities much easier.
May you and yours have a very blessed Christmas.
Gina Hill and Family

Please let me know if you receive similar messages and I’ll be happy to post them.  I had received the following from Gina last week.  Please be sure to check out her blog as a way of helping you understand the debt of thanks we owe families like Gina’s.

We are so thankful for the amazing organizations out there to help military and wounded families like ours.  We are even more thankful for the individuals like yourself and your family that support these organizations and our families!
You can find my blog at http://theinvisiblewounded.blogspot.com .  Please feel free to share with anyone and to post on your website.  It is really just something I do as therapy for myself but also to help others know that they are not alone.  At times, being the family of a wounded warrior can be a very lonely place to be.  Where we live, we do not know any other families close that deal with the things we do on a daily basis.

Hello and happy holidays to all, I wanted to take a minute to thank you for your support this year to make the holidays a little brighter for the families of injured and killed in action veterans.  The “Our Military Kids” organization provided me with a Christmas Gift Wish List of 26 veterans’ families including 65 children this year.  Thanks to your help, packages are on the way for 16 of these families.  We are down to just 10 families left on the list, but now we are headed into ‘crunch time’.  With limited time left to buy, wrap and send gifts we must find people or organizations to support these last 10 families within the next week. If you have been thinking about committing to help…. if you can find room in your heart and your wallet this year…. please let us know before time runs out for these families.  One of the wounded veterans I spoke to last week was so thankful when we told him his family would be receiving support with Christmas gifts.  He mentioned that he was especially grateful because last year his kids did not get any Christmas gifts.  Let’s not let this happen again for any of these families who have sacrificed so much for all of us. If you would like to help make this holiday season a little bit brighter for the children of our injured and killed in action servicemen and women, all you have to do is respond to this email.  You can adopt one child, a family or simply make a cash donation.  Nancy and I will gladly purchase the gifts still on the list if you do not have the time.  Simply give me a call or drop an e-mail to Santa@BobNelsonTeam.com. These are the children still available for ‘adoption’ :

1. Vaughns Family

Jordan (6): Vtech MobiGo Touch Learning System MobiGoCarrying  Case MobiGoSoftware Games:  Toy Story 3, Disney Cars, NASCAR, Shrek, Mr. Men/Little Miss

John (10): Nintendo DSI (black)

Dejah Miles (15): Women’s UGG Australia Classic Short Boots, Size 10, Color:  Black

2. Ellis Family

Juliann (13): New clothes/Gift card to Target, Pac Sun or Forever 21

Joshua (12): Nano Touch I-Pod – Gray or Silver (Purchased through Cash Donations)

Jesse (16): Nano Touch I-Pod – Gold (Adopted by Louis and Chris Wise)

3. Kuinileti Sele Family

(Adopted by Elizabeth Gaffney)

Peter (9): Sony PSP G Handheld Game; black or blue

Serafina (7): Sony Limited Hannah Montana PSP Entertainment Pack (used on Ebay $130.98); pink or purple Kleopatra

(4): KidKraft 65156 Designer Dollhouse Doll Toy; multicolor is fine

4. Broesch Family

Bella (7): Zhu Zhu Pets Hamsters Wild Bunch (set of 4) Barbie Horse Adventure:  Riding Camp for Nintendo Wii Uno Attack Game Easy-Bake Oven and Snack Center with Classic Light Bulb Oven (mint green) (Purchased by Jenni Blessman – Keller Williams) Magic Tree House Books

Taylor(15): Gift card to a clothing store such as Macy’s (Purchased by Alison Sherman – Keller Williams), Vanity or Maurices, Gift card for gas, Solia 1″ Flat Iron

5. Summers Family

Amber (11): Beginner snowboard, length 140-145 cm

Devan (10): Beginner snowboard, length 132-137 cm

Tristen (8): Beginner snowboard, length 135-140 cm

6. Byrd Family

Nailah (14): Ipad or Iphone (or a gift certificate to the Apple Store or to the AT&T Store to go toward either of these items)

Nia (13): Dell Laptop (pink) (or a gift certificate to the Dell Store to go toward it)

7. Mitchell Family

Zac (18): a Craftsman tool box, the one that stands up with a bottom box and top box (To be purchased with donated funds.)

Jerret (8): Nintendo DSiXL (blue or black)

Serenity (6): (Adopted by Susan Wisely – Keller Williams)   A nice, portable DVD player, one that the screen flips and folds down; (Sony has one)

Finally, we would like to thank the following who have already come forward to show their support. The Copito Family, The Borland Family, The Hoernig Family, Rick and Amy Buchanan, Jane and Doug Hanscom, Gene and Laura Smith, The Brugel Family, Mary Burnette, Mark and Carolyn Stys, John and Sally Burns, P.C. Martin, Dave and Pava Cohen, Joan Fiander, The Weaver Family, Louis and Chris Wise, Kofer and Suzanne Black, Richard Moxley, Sue Long, Beatriz Duque Long, Elizabeth Gaffney, Paul Norman Family, Dave Lesser Family, Chip Bay Family, Shiner Roofing and Siding, Sonya Dervenis – Lavender Hill Interiors, Jack Legler – Legenter LLC, Tami Harsanyi – State Farm Insurance, Diane Hoyer – Women Helping Women with Finance, Jill Grossman – LSA Title, Tim Heil – Keller Williams Realty, Michael Vandergrift – Washington First Bank, Laura DeSimone – DeSimone Health and Fitness LLC, Collingswood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Susan Wisely – Keller Williams, Alison Sherman – Keller Williams, Jenni Blessman – Keller Williams,

Best wishes to you and your family this holiday season,

Nancy and Bob Nelson (703) 999-5812

Five Reasons You Should Sell Your House TODAY!

Selling your house in today’s market can be extremely difficult.  It is for that reason that every seller should take advantage of each and every opportunity that appears.  Each fall, such an opportunity presents itself.  This fall, that opportunity may be just too good to pass up.

Below are five reasons you should consider pricing your house to sell in the next 90 days.  Meet with your real estate agent and mortgage professional today and see whether it is the right move for you and your family.

1. Entering this time of year, the buyers are more serious.

We all realize that buyers are not quick to pull the trigger on the purchase of a home today.  There is no sense of urgency with the supply of eligible properties at all time highs.  However, at this time of year, the ‘lookers’ are at the stores doing their holiday shopping.  The home buyers left in the market are serious and are more apt to make a purchasing decision.  Less showings – but to more motivated purchasers.

2. If you are moving up, you can save thousands.

The Chicago Tribune stated in an article last week that sellers who want to ‘trade up’ should act now:

It could be a bigger house, different neighborhood or a better school district, but it comes with a higher price tag. Do the math; this might be the right time.

A home that was once worth $300,000 may now be worth $240,000 in a market where prices have fallen 20 percent.  Wow, you think, the seller is taking a bath.  But that seller may also be a prospective buyer who wants a house that once was valued at $400,000. With an equivalent market drop and a realistic listing price, that house may now sell for $320,000.  So, in effect, the person is losing $60,000 on the sale of one home but coming out ahead $20,000 on the purchase of another.

Keep in mind the spread may be even greater.  There’s a smaller pool of potential buyers for more expensive homes, so sellers may be more willing to cut their price to get a deal done.

3. Interest rates just fell again – to 4.19%.

Professor Karl E. Case, the founder of the Case Shiller Pricing Index in an article in the New York Times last month actually did the math for us:

Four years ago, the monthly payment on a $300,000 house with 20 percent down and a mortgage rate of about 6.6 percent was $1,533. Today that $300,000 house would sell for $213,000 and a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with 20 percent down would carry a rate of about 4.2 percent and a monthly payment of $833 … housing has perhaps never been a better bargain.

4. You beat the rush of inventory that is coming next year.

Every year there is an increase of inventory which comes to market from January through April as homeowners put their houses up for sale in preparation for the spring market. As an example, here is the number of listings available for sale in each of those months in 2010.

-  January – 3,277,000

-  February – 3,531,000

-  March – 3,626,000

-  April – 4,029,000

You won’t have to worry about this increasing competition if you sell now.

5. You have less ‘discounted’ inventory with which to compete.

This year, sellers of non-distressed properties have been given an early holiday present. With banks declaring a suspension on the sale of many distressed properties (foreclosures), there has been a large supply of discounted properties removed from competition.  No one knows how long this self imposed moratorium will last.  However, while it does, every homeowner has a better chance of selling their property.

Bottom Line

If you are looking to sell in the near future, there may not be a more opportune time than this fall. Serious buyers, great move-up deals and less competition from foreclosures creates the perfect selling situation. Don’t miss it!