However. We will be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in New Jersey, with my parents and all four of my siblings and their spouses. The four cousins (grandkids) will be together, and Athena will be hanging out with my parent’s dog, Diesel. (totally named after Thomas the Tank Engine by the rescuer’s son, I believe) I think they’ll be fast friends, for sure.
It will be the first year that I can remember without my Uncle Jamie, who is fighting a good fight back at home. He’s crushingly missed. It’s been a weird December, full of excitement and cheer, as well as illnesses and feeling wrought out. I’m hopeful for the future, always, even when things seem so doom and gloom, both at home and in a larger national and global sense. The world is filled with billions of beautiful people, and we are connected by miles and wires. It’s a wonderful life.
May Santa bring you that Red Ryder BB Gun you’ve been wanting.
May your mother send you a text to ask you if your gingerbread men should be “anatomically correct.”
May you eat your weight in cookies, or whatever it is that you fancy.
May your houses be warm, and the people in it, healthy. Seriously. This is not a drill. Let’s all feel well!
May you look into 2015 with hope and light, the way I will.
May you all continue to blog or at least visit my blog, because I dig you.
I really, really do.
Yes, you.
Aww, I not only dig you, but love and adore you!! Merry Christmas my twin to you and your family!!!
I dig, love and adore you too!
Merry Christmas Eve!
Happy Holidays to you and your whole big family, too. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time with the here in NJ. Big family gatherings are always fun. And – may I just say, probably for the gazillionst time? Athena is such a doll. Look at her, she is smiling along side Scarlet and Des at you, the camera. Cannot help, but smile, too 🙂
Athena is amazing! And thank you for your wishes. I can’t believe how rainy it is today! Nice to be in the same state as you, even if Blairstown is on the far side!
Merry Christmas to you and Athena is smiling! Enjoy with your beautiful family!
Merry Christmas Eve, my friend! Athena is quite the model.
Enjoy your very special visit with your New Jersey families, Tamara! I hope all of your are enjoying the seasons of Hanukkah, and Christmas. I look forward to every one of your blogs, and Ask Away Fridays with all of your happy and colorful pictures. Thank You for sharing so much family fun times and adventures with us.
Thank you! So glad we became friends this year.
Have a very merry one
Merry Christmas, my friend! I wish you nothing but the best! You deserve it!
You too! 2014 was our year to “meet.” 2015 will be the year it happens in person..
..with cookies.
Yes! I couldn’t agree more!
We shall talk logistics soon!
Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday, Tamara! I am sure your family gathering is going to be loads of fun! We’re looking forward to a visit with Mike’s brother and family after Christmas and a little time on the slopes. Maybe a little snowshoeing for me! Sending hugs your way…I am truly glad for your friendship!
Sounds fun!
And I bet the food will be amazing at your gathering.
So happy we are friends!
I dig you,Tamara! Merry Christmas!! See you in 2015:)
Glad we “met”, my dig-worthy friend!
Wishing you a great everything.
Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family! I’m looking forward to 2015 – and you know I’ll be here visiting!
Makes me happy!
And you know I’ll be visiting too.
Have a very Merry Christmas!
I dig you right back and Han rocks! I absolutely love that photo of the kids and a smiling Athena. My thoughts and prayers to Uncle Jimmie, Tamara. A very Merry Christmas to all of you and have safe travels! 🙂
Thanks so much, dear!
Wishing you the best of everything, always.
Perfect place to hang stockings! Best wishes for a very Merry Christmas Tamara!
And to you!
Wishing your beautiful family a wonderful holiday.
Awww, I wish you all the best! You and your entire family Tamara! Happy holidays!! 🙂
Thank you!!
You as well!
Can we put breasts on the gingerbread women?
Ack, too late! Next time?
You got it!!
I dig you too, Tamara! I hope you and your family have a magical time this week. I need to meet this Han Solo in person some day. He kind of freaks me out when I see photos, but I like him too. I’m conflicted. The stockings are a nice touch. 🙂
Ha! He is very unassuming in person. Come over!!
Merry Christmas to you and your family – love the picture – perfect Christmas card 🙂
Thanks! We are the worst, though, and did not send out a card.
I ordered one and it will be more of a New Years card – lol
That’s good! In this family, it looks like we won’t get it together until the end of 2015. Maybe.
A very happy holidays to you and your beautiful family, Tamara! Look forward to many more adventures in 2015! xo!
Same!! Hope it was wonderful.
OMG OMG OMG. YOU WIN AT EVERYTHING FOREVER FOR THAT FIRST PHOTO. I.. I want to hug you.
Merry Christmas new friend! I can’t wait to keep in touch over 2015! ^_^
Haha… Thank you!
He overlooks our dining room. Scarlet called him “Dada” once.
Happy holidays to you!
I dig you too, Tamara. Enjoy every second of your time with your family. Eat cookies and be well, my friend.
I ate a lot of cookies. And I still will.
xoxo
I hope you have wonderful time with your family!
I did, thank you! Same for you!
And a very Merry Christmas to you and your family! Stay well, travel safely and enjoy the time with your family!
Thank you! So far, so good. Happy Holidays!
I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!!!! My kids have already eaten their weight in chocolate chip cookies today. Later today we will make a few sugar cookies too so we use our holiday cookie cutters.
Nice! We made sugar cookies here and I forgot how much I love them. Hope you had a wonderful day.
Merry Christmas! It sounds like it’s going to be so much fun with all your family celebrating in one place! ENJOY!
Thanks!
We were up to 15 people at one point, and that’s just immediate family, spouses and kids.
Gosh, I was not able to blog for at least a month and surprised to see your kids growing fast!
Of course the dog name first came to my mind is Vin Diesel…
I do believe and like what you feel and say, “hopeful for the future, always, even when things seem so doom and gloom” , every moms need that–Big Time.
Life is good Amen!
Have a Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Des got a haircut in the last month and looks a lot older. It was so nice to hear from you! I look forward to getting to your blog too, once I’m home from my trip.
Merry Christmas to you!
Happy Holidays! I hope you have a wonderful time with your family!
Thanks! I hope you had a beautiful holiday.
Merry Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!! Hope you had a fabulous time with your family! We’re in NJ too at my in-laws and I’m eating lots of cookies. I love your wishes and I dig you too. Enjoy!
Wow! Where are you? I was driving around a lot today. Scarlet will be in Newark tonight for a play.
Merry Christmas!
We’re down in South Jersey, nearish Cherry Hill so opposite end of the state from you, yes?
Totally opposite! It’s still nice to think that we are in the same state.
Merry Christmas to you!
I love that Han Solo.
He’s a real conversation piece. And he’s good company. Strong and silent.
What a cute list, Tamara. We are having a blast here with Hun’s family in to visit. I’ve been so filled with love and laughter, memories, food, and just continued acceptance from Hun’s family. I even let out some joyful tears tonight.
Here’s to you and yours! Here’s to good health (or improved health)! Here’s to happiness and strength and love! Here’s to safe travels for you and your famoly! And here’s to continued friendship through blogging!
Merry Christmas!
All such wonderful things. I toast each one. The holiday was wonderful, and a little sad, because I missed people who could not be here. It’s always fun to see it through the kids’ eyes.
Happy holidays, friend! I’m on my way to NJ very shortly as well. Enjoy your time with yours!
I drove around Randolph today. Tonight Scarlet is seeing a play in Newark. We were supposed to leave today but extended our trip.
Merry Christmas to you guys! Loving the instagram pics.
Thanks! I have been having fun with Instagram lately.
We dig you too Tamara!! I hope you had an amazing holiday!!
I did! Hope it was everything wonderful for you all.
Merry Christmas, Tamara – I hope that it has been an incredible day full of surprises for all of y’all!
Thank you! Definitely a lot of surprises. Hope you had a wonderful holiday!
Merry Christmas to you and the fam, Tamara! Super cute photo of the kiddos.
Merry Christmas to you as well! As for the photo, it was a bit accidental. I feel like the dog is the most professional.
Happy Holidays, Tamara. Wishing you the best this holiday season.
You too! I hope it was wonderful for you.
Merry Christmas Tamara. I hope you had fun in New Jersey. We’re on our way to vurginiat, for a post Chris tmas family celebration. Look forward to reading you in the new year:)!
Still in NJ here!
I hope you have a wonderful trip!
Everyone looks so adorable.
Love the Frozen costume.
Happy holiday.
Thanks! I love it too. She looks delightful in it.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
It was fabulous! Hope yours was great too.
I dig you! Annnnd yes, I’ve ate my weight in cookies! I guess everyone knows what ‘my’ New Year’s resolution will be 😀
Wishing you & your family the happiest New Year!
XO
Ha! Is it weird that my resolution is to eat more cookies?
Just kidding. A bit.
I’m reading backwards again. Han Solo. Hilarious!! AndI knew you meant me. 😉 Thanks. Happy holidays!
I can’t tell you how many times I wind up reading backwards too.
I totally meant you!
that is the best decoration of Han Solo I’ve ever seen! LOL
I ate my weight in cookies. also fudge. but I crammed it all into one day — and was really strict all the other days.
I think if all the calories go in a 24 hour period, your body loses count and only about half of them actually register. that’s my theory anyway.
Best wishes in 2015!
How many decorations have Han Solo have you seen?
well, I once “froze” him in a Tupperware of Jello for a Star Wars birthday party. He looked pretty good through a Sharky Blue filter. 🙂
Well hey! That is something. I need to think of new ways to have him in my home.
Oops. My app cut me off from that comment and I can’t change it like I can on the computer.
Anyway. I have seen a Han Solo refrigerator. If we had that, our lives would be complete.
I think you’re right about the calories because I still weigh the same as I did last week and I’ve eaten a lot more.
Oh my! I need to show my hubby Han’s too great! Maybe I missed this! What kind of dog is Diesel? I think I am in love! He is too precious!
I don’t think they exactly know! He’s definitely got some German Shepherd in him, and some Chow because his tongue is a little black. Not sure what else!
That Han Solo should be a tourist attraction.
I know! I can charge people for photos.
With the TARDIS shed too!!
I’ve always said that! I think it would be something else, though. A local man recently built a tardis itself. And he made the news. Cassidy could do that!
I love that final photo. Athena is a pro.
I think she should be a dog a model. We need an agent.
I’m so sad Han wasn’t decorated when we came over!
We took it down early this year! It just seemed like time.
I hope it was a great one my friend!
It’s so was. Hope it was for you too!
He’s looking over my shoulder!
I saw that! He likes you.
it may take some time to get to my blog reading, but you are always at the top of my list! wishing you so much happiness in 2015 🙂
Wishing you the same! I know that 2014 ended oddly for you.
I actually like that you are very busy, but still take the time to comment. And I like that you are usually a few weeks behind, because it’s fun to see older posts get read again.
You’re dug, big time. I know that in all the love and warmth of the holidays even one person’s absence is felt. Thanks for making this place a fireplace when we need our hands warmed, and for taking your show on the road to our little blogs around the universe, too.
Ah. I love the fireplace metaphor. I did not stop blogging at all this season. I was saving my vacation days, you see. Florida. Amazing guest posts.
Your fingers will thaw out in Florida I just know it.
I can’t wait to see what amazing guest posts line up for a blog like yours.
This is the sweetest Merry Christmas post I’ve ever seen!!! You are truly one of a kind. I’m rooting for your uncle Jaime and sending lots of love.
Thank you so much! And what fun to see you catching up on old posts.
It doesn’t feel right to miss a post…! I have to get the full picture, every post of yours counts. Fan girl alert!
That is so sweet! I love being a fan girl. It just means we care.