We arrived again for our favorite week of the year, by the sea here in Sandbridge. It is again so special to be able to do this as a framily. Today was unpacking day in a new house to us – Palazzo. Of course, it is gorgeous, with expansive views and plenty of room to both spread out and gather together. Decorations were hung, the first puzzle was started, and story telling commenced! We are all so thankful to join together for this fun week together.
I woke up early to a pretty sky after walking Charlie. Listening to the waves breaking on the shore in the soft morning light is something to be cherished
The house stirred to life not long after I did. Crafting and quiet games soon filled the rooms. Stacey and I might have been the last to walk the beach today, but it was without question worth the wait.
I volunteered to test the hot tub and can confirm it’s in excellent working order. Tim took one for the team by assessing the nap-worthiness of the couches. Everything appears ready for a fantastic week!
Most of Sunday afternoon was spent crafting, puzzling, and watching football. Tim and I camped out in the theatre room, flipping between the Patriots and Chiefs games—both of which ended in wins! Julie was in charge of dinner, and she outdid herself with an incredible taco-night spread.
Monday was a work day for many, so the house was pretty quiet. Stacey and I took a trip to the VA where I got hearing aids 😞 before swinging by the house to pick up the inevitable forgotten items. Tim and Abbie stayed behind to watch the puppies and have a pickleball match on a gorgeous day. The big event for today centers on the arrival of Julie’s parents, Nana and PawPaw from Indiana! We are all very excited to welcome them back to Sandbridge for our Framily Thanksgiving week!
In years past, I would try to wake up very early to watch the sunrise on the beach. I was rarely successful. The walk was longer than I was prepared for, and it was often dark and cold.
But today was something entirely different. I simply walked upstairs, turned on the coffee, and stepped outside to a gorgeous scene unfolding on the horizon.
A small, unexpected gift — and here it is for all to enjoy.
Every year, we try our best to get in a round of golf. The weather doesn’t always cooperate, but it sure did today. Tim is great about getting us tee times, and he sure didn’t disaapont today. Jay played LIGHTS OUT, and we finished with a TIE! I know, I know – that is like kissing your sister… but we sure had a good time!
I knew ahead of time that once Tyler showed up, the first puzzle wouldn’t stand a chance—and sure enough, he went to work with laser focus. The kid’s a one-man puzzle-solving machine.
Casserole night was a crowd favorite (as always), and we rolled right into Dancing With the Stars in the Theatre Room. The crowd was not happy with the results—let’s just say some dramatic groans were heard—but everyone still loved watching it on the big screen.
Meanwhile, I caught another early-season ’Nova hoops win before calling it a night. A pretty perfect evening all around.
Wednesday was a wonderfully low-key day around the house. It kicked off, as all good days do, with a gorgeous sunrise over the ocean. Julie and her dad made it out there to enjoy it—and yes, Ranger trotted along like he had important sunrise business to attend to.
The rest of the day was a mix of crafting, napping, and good old-fashioned visiting. Tim and Jay even snuck outside for a fiercely competitive (or at least mildly competitive) game of shuffleboard.
Nana and I cracked open the second puzzle of the week—a Taylor Swift–themed masterpiece. We managed to get the edges done, but only after AG swooped in to save the day when I confidently announced that we were missing an edge piece.
Shockingly, I was wrong. Every piece was there… which means the vast and chaotic middle of the puzzle now awaits our full attention. Wish us luck—we’re going to need it!
Thanksgiving Day is upon us! And the first order of business—after coffee, obviously—was the local Sandbridge Turkey Trot for a few brave souls. It was an absolutely beautiful morning, the kind that almost tricks you into thinking running is fun. We all enjoyed getting out there and earning at least some of the calories we planned on consuming for the rest of the day!
I told the youngsters to go on ahead without me, and sure enough, I managed to snap a picture of Maggie and Abbie on their way back before I even made it to the halfway point! Abbie crushed it with her personal-best time—great job, Abbiieeeeeee!
We all had a great morning… and mine transitioned rather quickly into some well-earned recovery time in the hot tub!
Some of you who have read my previous blogs know how much I love the names of beach houses. I’m endlessly entertained by them. I always find myself wondering about the personal story behind each name—what moment, memory, or inside joke inspired it. Every name means something to its owners, and I have fun trying to imagine the story they carry.
There are also ones that simply speak for themselves, and I found this one to be a perfect sentiment for today, and for every day.
As usual, the girls completely outdid themselves, serving up an absolutely incredible Thanksgiving meal for all of us. We had a little (or a lot!) of everything you could hope for in a traditional holiday feast. PawPaw led us in the blessing, and then we all settled in for a celebration that truly couldn’t be beat.
Thank you to everyone for your contributions to our day of gratitude beside the sea. What a beautiful way to give thanks together.
The Riegle family asked Emily once again to serve as photographer for their Christmas picture, so everyone headed down to the beach. They truly couldn’t have asked for a prettier day. We are all so grateful for this framily time together once again!
Tim always breaks out the Christmas tree to mark our official beginning of the Christmas season, and this year was no different. Both the turkey and the tree are visible here to signify this joyful transition.
As the sun went down, we all sank into the couches for some football and pure relaxation. Soft pants were the official dress code, and everyone happily complied. We enjoyed a beautiful sky as the sun dipped into the bay, the perfect backdrop to a perfectly lazy evening.
Today was a good day!
As the night wore on, us “older folk” gathered around the TV, watching some meaningless football and swapping stories from the good old days. This tradition has been alive for many, many years.
Back in those “ancient times,” we used to have a full-on Riegle vs. O’Connor football game in the sand. It was supposed to be just for bragging rights… but let’s be honest, it always got a little more intense than any of us intended.
Here’s the clan back in 2014, a year or two before we all collectively realized that the risk of injury—especially for me—far outweighed those precious bragging rights.
I made a critical “late-night” mistake by checking in on the younger crowd at the dining room table. There was so much laughter that I had to see what was going on. I should’ve known better.
Emily and Maggie were leading the group in some sort of highly sophisticated drinking game I’d never even heard of. I told them about my glory days as a “Quarters” champion decades ago, but they were thoroughly unimpressed. 😞
They politely asked if I wanted to join, and I just as quickly—and somewhat politely—declined. At this stage of life, sleep has become far more important than proving my party-game credentials. 🛌
Nana and PawPaw were keeping a close eye on the weather yesterday and decided it would be best to head back to Indiana on Friday morning with snow in the forecast. We’ll definitely miss having them around for our last full day, but we’re glad they’re making a smart and safe travel call.
Thank you SO much for joining us, Jay and Judy—we loved every minute with you!
A few years ago, Stacey and Julie introduced us to a very meaningful way to reach out to those less fortunate during this season of hope. The Angel Card Project gives us the opportunity to send Christmas cards to people who may be hurting or alone, with the hope of bringing them even just a small moment of joy.
It’s become a tradition for all of us to sit together and write a few cards—usually on the day after Thanksgiving—and it’s one of the most quietly powerful parts of our holiday week.
You can do this too by clicking this link – Angel Card.
Maggie and Gretchen are tirelessly attacking the puzzle this morning!
We paused for some delicious breakfast casseroles courtesy of Emily and Julie—exactly the kind of fuel the “older folk” needed before swooping in to conquer the Taylor Swift puzzle once and for all.
Victory at last. Hooray!
As the season shifted from Thanksgiving to Christmas, the weather clearly got the memo. By Friday, temperatures had dropped into the 40s, and a biting wind reminded us all that Mother Nature is firmly in charge.
Despite this, the “young guns” were still talking about going pickling. They seemed blissfully unaware of the concept of layers. Sure enough, out they went—dramatically underdressed. Travis and Luke even had shorts on, which made me laugh quietly to myself.
A few minutes later, they texted to say they didn’t have enough people and needed Tim or me to join them on the Pickleball court. I politely declined while Tim snored gently on the couch in front of the Egg Bowl.
I did decide to go down and take some pictures. I wisely wore my slippers, knowing they’d give me a built-in excuse to avoid being drafted into play. When I rolled into the parking lot, I found a chilled bunch huddled along the fence line. The overwhelming consensus? It was cold. Really cold.
This wasn’t my first rodeo, so I just nodded knowingly with a sly grin. After snapping a few photos of the brave (and freezing) players, I hopped back into my truck—heated seats on full blast—and headed back to the pad.
On the slow drive home, I found myself reading the names of the beach houses again. Pete’s Peaks caught my eye and made me think of Dad. This time of year, we all carry our own fond memories of family, and it’s comforting how they surface in poignant moments.
I know I’ve written more about this day than any other, and yes—I’m feeling a bit nostalgic. We look forward to this week every year because it’s truly something special. Tim, Julie, Stacey, and I cherish this time with our extended framily, and we hope to keep this tradition going for as long as life will let us.
Every Friday after Turkey Day, I feel that familiar touch of melancholy settle in. But right alongside it is the joy of knowing we’ll do this again with the people we love—and the excitement of welcoming new faces into this happy crowd.
Occasionally, pictures say more than words.
It was inevitable that Saturday would come, bringing our time together in Sandbridge to an end. We rose to yet another spectacular sunrise over the Atlantic and lingered over one last peaceful cup of coffee, savoring the priceless view before us.
I know I speak for my fellow hosts when I say thank you to everyone who joined us this week, for whatever time they could. It is always such a wonderful time with our Framily—one we truly cherish. Though we’re always sad to leave, the memories we made and the love we shared far outweigh the ache of saying goodbye.
So we close the chapter on another year as we trade the beach for home. Sandbridge remains our Framily sanctuary—one precious week we carry in our hearts all year long. We can’t wait to reunite in 2026. Until then, stay safe, stay close, and savor every day!
♥️