Introducing

The newest member of the Beck Family - Mom's new puppy - Godiva.

Isn't she the cutest? She is a 10 week Yorkipoo and is so sweet. She just cuddles into you when you hold her. Mom is smitten - one look and she was hooked. We are so happy Mom's finally found the perfect dog for her - now we get to spoil her rotten - and then go home :)

Here is a slideshow of more pictures.

It's Christmas Time

Just a few of the many pictures of Chrismas Eve and Christmas day with lots of family and friends.
A couple of very strong nephews

Me, Jadyn & Turtle the cat - all grown up. Jadyn's hair looked great - she chopped off a Lot of hair for Locks of Love - Again.

Greg & Jadyn (Shady taking to higher ground to stay away from the visiting dog)

John, Greg & Randy - friends since Little Leage.

They have been friends since Logan's age - Randy's oldest on the right. Great shot of the group of men - young and old.

As promised - lots more pics.

Happy Holidays

Part of the fun of the season is all the photos in the Christmas Cards. Here's a few scans of the pics so far.

We are still waiting on a few pictures (hint, hint Eagney's, Suz, and Jack) so there will be updates to this post as they come in.

Starting off with my extended niece and nephew on the Ransom side - Sammy & DJ

These two beautiful shots of the twiny, twin, twins Dale & JP


The Sullivan's (well the man in the pope hat isn't a Sullivan) - Joey, Mary, Sean & Kevin

More Twins - there must be something in the water (That I am Not drinking) Matthew & Natalie

School picture of a handsome young Blodgett - Logan

Gregory may not let many into the inner sanctum, but once you are a friend of Greg's you are a friend for life. Here's pictures of Cindy Libby's cute kids Kayla & Ryan

And the Bish Girls - Tammy, Emily & Kelsey it's been so much fun watching these young ladies grow up over the years.

Luckily there are other people out there who have enough love and fun to consider pets as family - here is my favorite Cavalier King Charles - Leo. MOM - See how cute a King Charles is - hint, hint!

Merry Christmas Cats

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends who take a couple minutes now and then to check our blog. Hopefully you enjoy reading as much as Greg and I enjoy posting pictures and stories of our favorite thing - our family and friends.

I know for sure Mom likes reading it - and I know how much she loves pictures of her Grand Kitties - so Mom - this post is for you. Love the shit outta you.

Benny - the best cat in the world. What other cat would sit there while I posed him in these holiday photos.

Chewie is not so cooperative, but luckily I am creative.

Kittie is even less cooperative when it comes to posing for pictures. Luckily I was able to snap this cute picture of her with her buddy Chewbacca.

Had to post this one of Chew cause it shows off his cobalt blue eyes.

And this last one of Benny because he is so totally awesome.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day today - Greg and I have a busy day ahead of us. Dad Fissell is here now and we are having a video show of the Eagney girls and all their glorious gifts. Johnny boy Law is on his way with his oh so cute boys JP and Dale, then over to Shells to see the rest of the family - cannot wait to see Tatum all spastastic on a Christmas high. Then the Blodgets to see my new webkinz buddy Logan and his little brother Chase, then close the evening with Jady Jade.

Then I will be sleeping till the new year.

Come back later today, Greg is going to scan the awesome birthday present from my sister. Melissa is gonna LOVE it.

Tater Clause

Update on Contributing to the Mummers

Uncle John came up with a great idea for donating in Dad's name - he asked if anyone wants to contribute to send a check to him and he will present a big check from all Dad's family and friends in Jerry Beck's name.

John's email address is johnjbeck@yahoo.com

Oh Christmas Tree

It seems Kittie is just as intrigued by a mini tree as she was with the full size one. Usually as I set up the artificial tree, Kittie sits on each row inspecting and seeing what she can chew on. The little tree is just two parts that fit together, but she was right there trying to figure it out.

This morning while setting up this prize winning shot of Benny Boy with the tree:

Kittie's curiosity kicked up a notch. The progression starts with with cute pic of her by the tree

Hummm, can I fit in there?

Apparently so!

Finally a shot straight out of Alien's - or the immaculate conception of a cat born of a tree



Sadly, we did have one casualty. The ballerina elephant Aunt Irene got me last year took a stumble. She is OK, but both legs had to be amputate and we are going to have to be careful a breeze doesn't hit it the wrong way or it might do it in. Chewie was his usual uncooperative self when it comes to pictures. Honestly, if its not a lap or food, he is not interested.

Save the Mummers!!

Yesterday was a big Dad day for me. One of my first emails was from Dr. Dave DePutron and how the Mummers Parade is in jeopardy because the city is cutting $355,000 out of the budget for the parade. A big chunk of this money is used as price money and has already been spent. My first thought was Dad would be beside himself. Luckily a website has been set up to help save this tradition Dad loved so much - http://www.savethemummers.com/. Making my Christmas list this year it felt wrong not having Dad's name on it and now I can get him something by making a donation in his honor. -- for an update on contributing - click here.

We all know how much Dad loved the Mummers, and like everyone who met Dad, it was reciprocated. Many people reached out to Mom who knew Dad through the Mummers, even some who never met him but were connected as a Mummer. But imagine my surprise to see Mom meet up with me yesterday wearing two huge buttons - one that said Mum Nut and the other a big ol picture of Dad. It turns out there are a group of people so into the Mummers they have named themselves the MumNuts. No surprise that DePutron is a member. He had these buttons made up and many of the MumNuts will be wearing them on New Years Day on honor of JerBeck! My first comment to Mom was Where's Mine? Dave wouldn't let me down and Mom gave me my own set of buttons that I will wear with pride at the parade on NYD.


I was meeting Mom at the Credit Union because we are refinancing the house - like the benefits of global warming resulting in beautiful 70 degree days in the heart of winter - there are a few silver linings in this economic recession - like refinancing at these record low rates. I thought Dad would be proud of us as refinancing was one of Dad's favorite tricks. I hear often, look for the signs your Dad is still with you. I have had a few signs - and no, not just the Phillies winning the World Championship (Now if the Eagles win the Super Bowl - that will be all Dad with some help from Uncle Paul and Maria's Dad right next to him). One of the first signs was a shooting star. I was with Cousin Suz. We were at VA Beach and she said it was a good night for shooting stars - I told her I have never seen one. She looked up and said - OK Uncle Jerry - lets see one and I kid you not, a few minutes later there was the biggest shooting star ever. And, I have seen another one since then driving home thinking of Dad. Some people may call these coincidences, not I. I see Dad. And yesterday we got a sign that Dad was right there at the refi. -- The other day I looked at my back pack and realized Dad's flag pin was missing. I had no idea where or when I lost it. We started the refi process meeting at the bank on the 15th. Three days later - we walk into the room to sign the paperwork and sitting on the desk was Dad's pin. How's that for Dad giving the thumbs up?!

To top off my Day to Dad, Greg and I put up a tree. Some might call it small - I call it manageable. And this way we get to load it up with just our favorite ornaments - well the Darth Vader was a bit too big - but all the others are up there.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

OK - maybe a lot is pushing it, its beginning to look a Little like Christmas in the Fissell household. Just thinking about setting up a big 'ol tree, lighting it and getting stuff out of the attic to decorate made me tired. Plus, without Dad around to be impressed by my awesome skills at lighting the tree, why bother. But not having one up was more depressing than putting one up - so a compromise. There was a 4 foot prelit tree on sale at Michael's. Problem solved.

I think the cats were all excited, or nosey, or indifferent - who the hell knows with cats?


Kittie was the most curious of the three. No surprise there.


The finished product - front

Back - I am not sure why these pictures are so tiny - Greg did it :). Click on the picture to see a larger image.

Chew sitting on the lap enjoying the new tree.

I am glad it's up. Dad would want us to have one. Maybe next year I will even put up the outdoor lights.

Pwned

Baby It's Cold Outside...

Tatum putting on a show for us today at her Christmas Play

Jingle Bells 2008 redux

an oldie but a goodie

Thanksgiving with Tatum