Faithful Friends Who Are Dear To Us, Gather Near To Us Once More

This past weekend was our first visit to New Hope, Pennsylvania.

It was only fitting that our tour guides were two of our closest friends, James and Kat (featured in previous blogs), who also happen to be our only friends who live in "Pennsie"!

The town is lovely and they had a "Polar Express" train running in and out of the station. It was a delightful evening and proof that the four of us CAN have a good time in public without breaking any laws. :)

Here are a few shots - I had some trouble with the flash crossing the bridge, but I am posting the picture anyway because the three of them always humor my rediculous photo shoots.

One of these days I'll introduce Dominick to his camera so that we can have some proof that I am also on these adventures!

Scarlet Bells, Scarlet Bells...It's Christmas Time in New Brunswick

Christmas in our new home.

We've had a hectic but positive December. On the 11th we celebrated Dominick's 26th birthday with a small party at our home, and his parents surprised him by flying up from Florida! It was a wonderful weekend full of family and friends. Unfortunately, we temporarily misplaced our battery charger, so I only have the photo below! But the Stanziones took pictures and I'll be sure to post some of them.

In the meantime, I was expecting to work the Texas Bowl, which would require me to fly out on the 26th. Then a few days later I was told that they had enough staff - then they didn't - but now I am officially (if not cordially) uninvited! I'm sure Houston will be alot of fun - and I am the biggest RU fan around - but I'd just as soon spend the holidays with my family and root the team on from a local bar!

We have 2 Christmas parties left to attend, many presents to wrap, plans to make, and work projects to complete. But who doesn't?

We are blessed and happy, and really, isn't that all that matters?

Tugger Update

Tugger, Tug, Sir Tuggins, Tugaboodle, Tug-You-Little-INSERTEXPLETIVEHERE...he has come to be known by many names.
Tugger has assimilated beautifully into our family - even Ginger has decided that he is not so scary, though he does try her seemingly endless patience!
It's difficult to remember a time when we didn't have him, though it was only a month ago that we were free to come and go as we pleased. Funny how quickly we give up our freedom for our furry little friends - I suspect we will take to parenting with the same gusto when the time comes.
Tug has begun cutting his teeth, which leads to evenings of frustration for all of us - but the little guy hasn't detroyed a thing, save for a few pairs of pantyhose that were really asking for it. He has almost completely embraced the idea of NOT using our oriental rug as his personal latrine; he has mastered the stairs which used to make him howl with fear; he has begun to learn his manners such as "sit" and "off"; he has discovered the art of burying and rediscovering his bones; and he is developing into quite a nice young pup!

Here are a few photos:

The view that I wake up to each morning.


When the first few teeth were breaking through.


With the ever-present Booda Bear from Aunt Margaret - this toy goes outside, inside, to bed, to Grandma and Grandpa's...


There aren't nearly enough of these moments. Photos like these tell me that we made the right decision and that Tug loves his new home.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Well, the holiday madness has officially begun.

Our running tally:
Holiday parties attended = 1
Holiday parties to attend = 7
Gifts purchased = 0
Gift to purchase = LOTS

Needless to say, I see my christmas card mailing slipping away this year (again!).

We attended our first holiday party at the Dougherty's this past weekend. As always, we had a great time and laughed ALOT.

It's quite remarkable when you arrive at the point in your life where you have things in common with your parents' friends and can truly value them as individuals and hold your own (or try to) in a conversation with these terrifically bright people. Now, to many I am still and will always be "Peggy and Johnny's kid" - and that is exactly as it should be! But I just soak in their stories of college and trick drill and the coffee house...and the more sobering tales of being in the military during Vietnam. I also love to have the opportunity to see my parents in this context: the coffee house manager, the beautiful sorority girl, everyone's friend just having a good time. I think that it is so important to see our parents' many dimensions to fully appreciate who they are.

My parents are so blessed to have interesting, diverse, and terrifically funny friends - and we are blessed to have grown up with them and their children as part of our family.