24 Comments
Nov 5Liked by PJ and Thomas

First and foremost, a big “Happy Birthday” to Riah. It’s been awesome watching him and his brother and sister grow through the years. Getting to watch as the love and nurturing that their fathers, extended family, and friends pour into their lives pulls out the amazing characteristics of each of them has been fabulous. I have to agree with your feelings about all the seasons and celebrations that make up the final months of the year. The holidays will be a little different for my brothers and me along with their families ( my sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews) because of both mom and dad passing this year. But even though we miss them and will be forging new traditions without them, we also celebrate the arrival of two new little ones this year as both my nephews have/ are having children this year. So even in death and sorrow we welcome new lives and joy. My continued best wishes and love to you and your family. May your holidays be filled with joy, peace, and love. Big hugs for you all. ♥️🤗

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oh Ted :( my heart breaks for you. I hope the holidays are still able to be magical in a different way this year. love your perspective on it with your new family additions. hugs to you xoxo

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Nov 5Liked by PJ and Thomas

Thank you. I really appreciate your comment, concern, and care. ❤️🤗

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Nov 5Liked by PJ and Thomas

It’s hard to pick one thing I like about the holiday season, since I like pretty much everything about it: the cooler weather, the decorations, the music, etc. The day itself is usually an anti-climax these days because of how scattered my family is and how there are no little kids to get presents for. But the season itself is magical to me, whatever else may be going on in my life.

Happy Birthday to Riah! 🥳🎂🎁

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Nov 6Liked by PJ and Thomas

Happy birthday to Riah!! 🥰🥰

We are looking forward to visiting with families over the holidays. We have had quite a few cousins added over the past few years so lots of happy baby giggles and little plods running around. We can’t wait!

I went in and voted yesterday. I had this feeling that something wasn’t quite right and i wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but I wanted to vote first!! I don’t want to give too many details because we just don’t have them, but I’m not well right now. Kids are with Josh’s parents, but my mom guilt is on 1000000 tonight. We are in the best place possible for whatever might come, but it’s not easy to be away from my babies like this. 🥺

So now I’m just laying here watching the news (its terrifying!) and resting. Seriously, I think I’m more anxious over the news than anything else! 😮‍💨

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Nov 6Liked by PJ and Thomas

Happy Birthday to Riah! 🎉

Loooove the photos of your home town in the fall! It’s so beautiful.

Looking forward to spending Thanksgiving week in the Georgia mountains with family celebrating my dad’s 80th birthday. ❤️ The very best thing about the holiday season is family. Much love to you all 💙

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Nov 5Liked by PJ and Thomas

Happy Birthday to Riah!!! I hope it is a great year to come!

I am sitting here starting to stress more and more about what tomorrow will look like. I have never worried more about the future of this country than now! Hopefully there will be blue skies tomorrow with much to look forward to.

I’ve been waiting all day to find out when I will have my shoulder replaced. This will be my 6th surgery on my arm/shoulder in almost 3 years since I fell on ice and broke my humerus into 4 pieces. This will be the 3rd holiday season in a row that I will be in a sling and down to one arm. I’m just praying that it is the last surgery I will need to get my function back to acceptable.

I could really use more to look forward to right now and for the next four years!

Take care!

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Nov 5Liked by PJ and Thomas

Riah, Happy birthday King!

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Nov 5Liked by PJ and Thomas

Hello PJ and Thomas,

My name is Romain, and I’m a Frenchman living in a small village in western France. I stumbled upon your Instagram account by chance while looking at posts suggested by the algorithm, and I ended up browsing through your various accounts out of curiosity. I have to admit, I was completely charmed.

Your lifestyle, your relationship, your lovely family, your taste for decoration, your love for animals… it’s all so inspiring and makes me want to embrace this joy of living life fully and savoring every moment! For me, you’re a true source of inspiration, and you deepen my love for your beautiful country, the United States!

I can’t wait to see your upcoming adventures and your Christmas!

See you soon, and a very happy birthday to your son, Riah!

Romain

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Romain, this was the sweetest thing we have ever read. thank you, thank you, thank you for being here and following along!!! you don't know what it means to us. xoxo

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Wow, thank you so much for your response. It makes me incredibly happy! Your closeness with your followers is really enjoyable! Now that I’m following you, I’m not planning to let you go 😉

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Nov 5Liked by PJ and Thomas

...although I'm guessing the "best" results for today happened 8 years ago, eh?🎉🎉

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Nov 5Liked by PJ and Thomas

🤞🤞🤞....for the best results imaginable today! 💙💙💙 🏳️‍🌈

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Nov 5Liked by PJ and Thomas

Happy Birthday, Riah! Enjoy your 8th Special Day. Hugs to everyone from NY - enjoy your weekend celebrations with the gang.

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Nov 5Liked by PJ and Thomas

Happy Birthday Riah!!! I hope it is a magical day. ❤️

Your Halloween looks like it was a blast. Your town is so lovely. I’m very jealous!!

I’m totally watching the Martha documentary as she is the Queen! I love how much inspiration PJ draws from her.

I am dying to visit New York in the fall thanks to all of Nora’s fabulous movies. They are so cozy and dreamy. They comfort my soul.

I’m very anxious today. There is so much at stake and the tension is palpable. Sending everyone out there love and peace today.

Love you guys! ❤️

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Nov 5Liked by PJ and Thomas

Happy Birthday Riah!! Happy Birthday to Scott too!

Thinking of all of you in the US with this historic election happening! Go Kamala🇺🇸

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Happy birthday 🎂 Riah! Today is my birthday, too!

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aww! happy birthday, Scott!!!!

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How great is it to have a giant hug from Thomas in the form of an Okay McKay newsletter on a chilly Election Day morning! Happy little 'Riah Day, call back to the Gilmores, and all those fantastic autumn colors photos are big plus-ups! PJ and Thomas: simply the best!

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aww thank you sweet Dan!!!!

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Hey Guys, this year will be the first time I’ve been able to spend time on Thanksgiving with my Family in 3 years, I am looking forward to it. It’s going to be at my Nephew’s house in Garland, just outside of Dallas. They have requested that I bring my WILD RICE CASSEROLE it is out of this world Delicious ( I think you have the recipe) . If I didn’t include it with the other recipes and you want it just let me know and I will send it to you. Not sure about Christmas yet, I’ll just have to wait and see.

Y’all take Care and be Safe!!

The (other) Thomas xoxo

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I love to hear this, Thomas!! sounds like it's going to be a wonderful family holiday. I'm so happy for you. love to you!

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Thomas, I completely forgot to wish mini PJ, Riah a Happy Birthday, he is like all a Fantastic Kiddo!!

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Hi there PJ and Thomas,

Thank you for the check in and I was just checking in on you guys and all the things that happened this week and moving into this weekend.

But first, a BIG HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY TO RIAH!!! It's been a lot of fun watching him grow up over the years and watching him become such a funny and charming young man the older he gets. Plus, that smiling energy is so infectious! Looks like his Birthday party was a blast, everyone has fun, and smiling while do it.

If I'm being honest, this past week was really hard, emotionally and mentally; which I know I'm not the only one who is struggling to comprehend the results of this year's election. I've had a couple good cries (I'm not a big crier), and I'm sure there's more to come. I have 2 mental health diagnosis (Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) that have been trigger this week. Plus, I'm a recovering addict. I'm queer, who happened to be a person of color, a woman, wasn't born in the US (and because a US citizen when I was adopted at age 2 when my adoptive parents briught me back to the states), and my wife and I are interracial couple. So, there is nothing scarier than being a walking everything (you know who) is against.

What's been helping me stay the course and keep moving forward is remembering what I do have control and it's this: I have been surrounding myself with friends, keeping my mental health in check, and most importantly I've continued to stayed sober.

Sending warm hugs, love, and peace from my family to yours.! Have a great week!

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