January 2024

2024 started with a minor basement project that became pretty substantial. 2 weeks later Becky has a finished office/hobby/gaming space. Back to school for Becky and Ally has meant the pets are missing them terribly and Ally’s club volleyball is in full swing.

First day back at school outfit.

Shutterfly killing me with memories from 16 (above) and 9 (below) years ago.

Here is she a typical teenager, on her phone surrounded by her pets.

They greet her when she gets home.





Follow her into the bathroom.

Let her cut their nails.

And look adorable.

Some sightings of Ally on her club social media page




Ally took this picture on her school field trip to the Museum of Fine Arts.

Before we started basement work it looked like this. 

Mid way through

And finished.






Becky is very happy with her new space. It has a ceiling, shelving for our storage bins, it’s sealed off from our laundry and utility area with new walls and a pocket door. We created a closet in the basement too. Which we desperately needed. Our house is lacking closet space. 

Happy New Year! 2024

The week between Christmas and New Years was nice and quiet and restful for us. We all had the week off.

Ally would wake up around 10-11, eat breakfast and watch TV and then take a 2 hour nap. Wake up eat some lunch, watch some more TV, get dressed, play some PS5. Super chill and restful.

My friend Michelle and her husband Jay were in Boston for a night and came over for dinner.


We booked Becky and Beth a trip to Iceland in April.

Finally on Saturday we went out to do some returns and shopping. 

Then it was New Years Eve. Ally and I watched movies. Becky played on her PS5 and then we watched the ball drop at midnight.

I’m not someone who makes resolutions but we are looking ahead to 2024 with excitement!

Christmas Day 2023

Such a fun and festive day.

So many gifts. We are all very lucky and blessed.


I love this of the cats and dog and Ally and the tree they are all wearing matching pajamas or scarfs. Hard to tell…



I made the breakfast casserole I make every year for Christmas. Traditions are important.







No it was not Cheezits for Grandma Debbie but Santa needed a box.

Daisy hung out with us for most of the morning. This was a first for her. She’s usually too shy. But she loves Ally and having a little sister has helped her be brave.

Some great gifts from Aunt Martha, candles and a gift card for Julie and Becky

Gold jewelry for Ally. 

Aunt Suzie and Gruncle sent Ally a new bible. 


I made a photo puzzle of Christmas memories. 

Simple table setting this year.

Rudolph themed Life is Good Tshirts!

After dinner we watched Die Hard. Debbie had never seen it and we all believe it counts as a Christmas movie. Then it was good byes as Grandma and Poppy were leaving in the morning. 

Christmas Eve 2023

Debbie and Dave came for 3 days this year and stayed in a nearby hotel. We so happy to host them and Beth and all be together on Christmas. Last year Dave had COVID and we celebrated together in January.

We decided to do brunch and I made a hashbrown casserole and Debbie made cinnamon roll trees!

So much fun.



Ally ate fruit loops.

We had an advent puzzle kit that we failed to assemble daily so we split it up and each of us put together one frame. Some were more challenging than others.

Then we painted wood Christmas decorations.

Note that Rudolphopoly is hanging up in our kitchen. For the first time since it’s creation we did not play this year. Puzzling and crafting were the thing this year. But it was nostalgic to see the board up.

Our finished works.


Beth and I made cookie trees to bring to the church shelter with the meal we made for their dinner.

Another festive cocktail before our traditional tamale meal.

Ally was so happy Cloey let her pick her up.

At home Christmas Eve candlelight service.



We watch our church service live. 

I only had 5 taper candles so I used a big jar candle. Beth thought it was so funny. 

After church we watch a Muppet Christmas Carol. Then Dave and Debbie headed back to the hotel and we went to bed!