Our Christmas Bunch

Tom here. Here's a look at our guests on Christmas Day. Had a great time, ate a lot, took a nice walk. Took all day to do it. I tell my guests it's a day not a dinner--although dinner was great. I am wearing a hat that Kelley's boyfriend brought from Ecuador. It's a real Panama hat.

Merry Christmas from Donna

Hi everyone, Donna here. Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, I hope you all had a good one. I still can't get used to not seeing all of you at Grandma's on Christmas. Being an only child I couldn't wait for all of you to come. Those are great memories and I'm grateful to have them. I did get to see Aunt Annette, Diane, Michelle, Nick, Tyler, Terri, Joanne, Jim, Uncle Ronnie, Aunt Jayne, Aunt Irene & Bill when I picked Mom up for dinner. My girls wanted a quite day and all I could think was "that's not Christmas". We celebrated with the LaMarre's last night which is a long standing tradition and a lot like Grandma's. That family is growing every year, we were at 35 and 2 dogs last night. Three of our nieces have significant others with children (all nice kids) and we have a great niece and a great nephew now. Well, I'm going to relax now, I miss you all have a Happy New Year.

How I spent last Christmas

Tom here. This is how I spent LAST Christmas. Eight days in the hospital, including Christmas Day. I am grateful to be healthy and happy this year. Yes, Brian is wearing NY Yankee pajama bottoms. The kids filled a wagon with gifts and came to the hospital on Christmas Day. I am holding a very cool mosaic they gave me. It is made up of about 50 of my favorite pictures of them. Is that a cool gift or what?

Notice the lower part of the picture is cloudy. I think I had one foot in heaven. Luckily I slipped back.

Why the blue Santa hat? That's Carolina blue, and Carolina students cannot resist making everything Carolina blue. Brian and Kelley are both Carolina students (UNC at Chapel Hill).

Kelley's Party

Tom here. Our daughter Kelley (seated on left) has been inviting a group of young folks from her church to our house for a Christmas party and gift exchange for several years. Here is the group that came last night (12/20). They like to take the same goofy picture each year in this spot. Everyone holds a Christmas character, taken from the decorations in this room. Can you spot Thomas Jefferson, wearing a Santa hat? Kermit? Snoopy? Herbie, the elf who wants to be a dentist? and Opus?

Hello & Merry Christmas - Where is everybody??

Joanne Braman-Palmer here -- Wow - over 2 weeks and it's quiet - is everyone busy Christmas shopping and getting ready for Santa Claus?? Anyway, everyone have a Merry Christmas - hope to see some people post their pictures of Christmas - I know something that might be great - take a picture of your Christmas trees and presents on Christmas morning - let's see who gets the most!! There is one problem, for me, though - I didn't put up a Christmas tree this year - it's been too crazy and we don't have the girls christmas day. I'm going to Diane's house for lasagna and we're bringing mom home for Christmas day at her house (Diane's house now). I know -- I'll take a picture of Christmas at Diane's. Diane's grandson, Tyler, gets millions of presents under the Christmas tree. Can't wait to see your pictures - Merry Christmas - Joanne Braman-Palmer

Latest Daoust Wedding

Tom Daoust here (Eddie's son). We had a wonderful wedding on Sat, Dec. 1 in Chapel Hill, NC. Ashley Gainer joined the Daoust family. Here is a photo of the lovely bride and handsome groom. The couple will live in Richmond, VA.

In the background on the left you can see our daughter Kelley and her boyfriend Brice, and on the right are Linda and me.

Please add your congratulations here, as I know that Brian comes to this site now and then.