Happy New Year's Eve all! Working 12 noon to 10 p.m. at the pool bar today. By time I get home and shower it will be almost 11:30 p.m. And, I have to be back at work at 7 a.m. New Year's Day for first of the month inventory. :-( Anyhow, hope to make the most of what little time I have for my first New Year's Eve out with Karen. We're going to the local bar (Swig Bartinit) here in Weston on main street, assuming there is no line to get in at 11:30 p.m. Our friend Rob is single and all his other guy friends are out of town, so we kind of feel "obligated" to go out and do something and not let him sit at home alone.

Hope the Mary Foley party went well. I called Bob at 8 p.m. EST and he had just gotten back from cycling with a friend. Joni in Texas.

Yesterday we had Karen's sister's boyfriend David install a dimmer switch in the dining room, and a digital thermostat in hallway. All the boring news from here. I'm off to work. Send photos of your New Year's Eve activities!

What's everyone doing for New Year's Eve. Is Karen having that blast of a party in Rising Sun where the coffee comes out at 10 p.m.? I was originally excited that I was going to have a great party night with Karen for the first time since we met, because I've worked the last 3 New Year's Eve. But, I have to work till 9 p.m. (Home at 10 p.m.) New Year's Eve, and I have to be back at the resort at 7 a.m. the following day for 1st of the month inventory. Yikes! Sounds like a quick toast and into bed.

Happy Birthday Bob Holmes! Off to wok 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.

Hi all. I'm going to be doing a family calendar for myself.  Anxious to try out the new Apple templates.  No more going to Kinko's, color copying, assembling, etc.  Just create on computer and push a button and Apple will even handle the shipping. If anyone else would like one, they will be done by Jan. 10th, and cost $25.00 each.  Just shoot me an e-mail at

mike@101photoservices.com if you would like one.  Also, attach a photo to your e-mail if you want it included in the calendar.

Hi all.  Worked till 9 p.m. this evening and meeting my friend Rob out at 10:30 p.m.  Back to the pool bar at 11 a.m. Sat.  It is packed at Lago Mar...  set a record high temp today... 83 degrees. 

Just kidding.  Loved the Holmes xmas videos!

Just watched the Holmes Christmas video.

Holmes ATL Xmas Morning

Hi... Karen and I went to The River House (wedding reception location) for dinner tonight.  Karen Carag sent us a gift card and we used it while the Holidays are still here.  Great dinner for both of us.  Mussels in wine sauce for appetizers, beef tenderloin for me and scallops for Karen.  Temp about 75 degrees and no wind.  We watched some passing boats with their decorative lights on. Fun night. Thanks Kar!

Holmes ATL Xmas Eve Video

Carag/Nocera/Hindkjauer Christmas

Wow, I can't top the Holmes/Atlanta Christmas....but..

We arrived at Cassie's Monday 1pm....at 3pm, Mickey and Brenda arrived, Mike and Monique and kids (cassie and Ron's best friends), Jun's sisters Ronnie w/husband and 3 grown kids, Babsie and Leslie, and Jean, Camille and baby Zander. Remember, Ditji and peter and kids are already there, along with Courtney, cassie's 3 kids, then the 4 of us!

We had a nice buffet dinner of ham, beef tenderloin, pancit, salad, roasted veggies, lots of wine, dessert....

they all left about 7pm..at that point, Jon helped Cassie and Ron assemble all the big Santa gifts...kids were asleep!

We hit the sack about 11pm.

We were all up at 6:30am, Mickey and Brebda arrived at 7:30am..to watch the kids open gifts...we had a Filipino breakfast, and mimosas, cheese and French bread for lunch, then a homemade Italian lasana dinner .

The kids and all of us got fun gifts and had a great day. We went home at 7pm, had a nice 2 hr drive, no traffic!

Back to work for us early this AM! Jessica's boyfriend Brian arrives tomorrow....enjoy a few pics!

Kar

Merry Christmas from Atlanta!

Well mom created yet another magical Christmas here in Atlanta, she out does herself every year!

Christmas eve we woke up and had brunch at our house with two families that we have it with every year. Mom and I made quite the feast! (Yes I helped and didn't burn the kitchen down...shocking, I know!) I had to leave early to run to the new minute clinic at CVS to get a strep test that turned out positive. Then I rushed to church to sing for the childrens Christmas eve masses like I do every year. The first one is always packed and I did about ten songs, the other got cut short because we ran out of time. Dad came and watched the first one and mom did the second.

After I got home Dad and I put the angel on the tree and we all sat around the living room next to the tree with the fire blazing and watched home videos of past Christmas'. Before dinner we all ran upstairs to check under our pillows because it was a "jammy year" and mom got us all matching pajamas. (Only happens every other year.) Then we had our traditional lobster dinner, well four of us did...Christopher ate his traditional frozen pizza, lol. After dinner Patrick and Chris were pretty tired (PopPops in the making...) and went upstairs to bed. I read them the Night Before Christmas and we all slept in Chris' room.

This morning Patrick had us up at 8 and we all sat on the steps until mom and dad got all the pictures they wanted and we could come downstairs. Santa was very good to us as always. I received lots of clothes and jewelry along with a few other random things like a teapot. Chris decided not to go on a ski trip next week so Santa had to scramble at the last minute for his gifts and he ended up having the most of anyone! lol He received lots of Georgia stuff, clothes, a backpack, tennis bag, etc. Patrick is a "skater boy" these days and his favorite gift was his new skate board and some clothes. Dad was very excited about his telescope, dart board, and horseshoes. Moms favorites were a house divided license plate (Auburn/Georgia) and a few other things.

We went to mass at noon, I sang in the choir and mom and Chris were Eucharistic Ministers. We came home and watched more home videos and just spent the afternoon enjoying each others company. Dad and I watched Charlie Brown Christmas and Mom cooked another fantastic meal of crown roast, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, etc. After dinner we went around the table recalling our favorite Christmas memories and the favorite moments from this Christmas, then Chris read to us from our Christmas Miracles book. By the time I finished the dishes the real PopPop was falling asleep on the couch so Christmas quickly came to an end, lol. Now mom and I are sitting here in the living room watching "Elf".

Our Christmas was perfect as always, we are so blessed. Mom and dad have given us many wonderful Christmas memories and they both said tonight it was all because their parents did the same for them!

Someone else update!!! hahaha Pictures and video will be posted tomorrow!

Time for Church!

A few pictures from 9 a.m. mass this morning.

Christmas Eve in South Florida, Part 2

A few more photos from Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve in South Florida

Hi all... Karen and I had a "record" 12 people and one dog (Bailey) over for an early Christmas Eve hourdouerve and cocktail party.  The entire Yee family was here, including the family dog and David, Michelle's boyfriend.  

Also had two good friends over.  Rob and Bill Stiener (who brought wife Sandy and two kids.)

Table treats included meatballs in the Crock Pot with Mom's favorite Yosheeta sauce, Costco shrimp boiled in Old Bay seasoning and vinegar, a vegetable platter with Marzetti's dip, and a fresh cheese platter (flown in from Italy according to Costco) with pepperoni.

Everyone came at 5 p.m., and the last to leave around 12 midnight.  Karen and I off to 9 a.m. Mass this morning, home for a quick gift exchange and then over to my friend Rob's for a social call until about 3:30 p.m. and then off to work. Karen will then go to her family's house.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good morning!

Santa Mike

Christmas Eve in Yardley

Dan and Mom arrived at 4:00 this afternoon and immediately proceeded to bed! Karen did them in with cosmos, wine, champagne, and the hot tub the night before. After "powering back up", Steph arranged a sports contest for us in the basement with ping pong, pool, and air hockey. Dan was my partner, so of course we lost! Steph and Grammie were the winners due to Grammie's expert pool skills! We had seafood and pasta for dinner and finished the night by watching It's a Wonderful Life!

Dan and Mom's visit to Rising Sun

Mom and Dan arrived about 4:30pm in the rain and wind...We had cosmos, a late dinner of prime rib, and then took a dip in the hot tub. Dan kept us all laughing all night.

Can't wait to see everyone next Sunday! Jackie, hope you'll perform!

We are off to Cassie's; Merry Christmas!

Kar

merry night before xmas eve!

Hey everyone!

Well the Holmes Atlanta traditions have begun! Well, technically they began last week! The past two years it has become a new tradition that just the boys and I go pick out the tree and bring it home. So two weeks ago I came home and we picked it out...by far our best one EVER! Only problem is it was 12 feet tall and we were driving Buford, my '97 Buick Lesabre!!! Both boys had to hang out the window to hold it down! lol Dad was very happy to just add one little danty ornament to the tree a few nights ago when we decorated it...must be nice finally having grown boys!

Keep in mind Chris is 6 ft tall!

I was told to just "stay out of the way and look pretty" :o) I'm finally understand why God gave me brothers...

We accidentally wrapped the door shut....IDIOT!

It made it home on Buford! Although it is tipping a lot and was definately catching some air...hence why the boys held on tight!

The trunk was too big for our stand. Chris = NOT HAPPY

Rum and Coke + No work getting the tree = Merry Christmas Dad!

Greetings.  Worked today 8 a.m. to 4 p.m while Karen cleaned house preparing for Christmas Eve.  We are having Karen's family over tomorrow nite, and then going to my friend Rob's house about noon on Christmas Day before heading off to work at 3:30 p.m.  Here's a few shots of the house. Nice full moon coming up tonight.  Got to work on some last minute gift preparation.  Work tomorrow from 8 am. to 4 p.m., then home the rest of Christmas Eve evening with feet up, drink in hand!. 

Christmas party with best friends!

We went to the Buchanans house last night for a great dinner, Christmas gift exchange, etc...a good time was had by all! Mom and Dan arrive here late this afternoon; it'll be pouring rain all day. Barry, I hope you are getting some of this rain!

Kar