Hello 2026

Hello 2026! 

We just returned from our last trip of the year.. it was a doozy, a series of misadventures and I can not wait to post all about it. So get ready for many many more travel posts. 

But first, how is everyone doing? I have not been good with checking in on everyone's blogs.. I hope to get back to it soon. I hope everyone had lovely holidays and a happy new year. 

The kids are back to school and we are all back to our regular routines. While I love travelling I also love the routine of everyday life.. 


This year we visited Peru, Egypt, Puerto Rico, Spain, Argentina, Chile and hoped into Brazil for a few hours. That brings our countries visited count to - 
M - 37
Me - 35
D - 30
H - 26

I often get asked how we can travel so much.. well I am self employed so no issues for me and my husband works while on vacation. His people know he is travelling so he is not working his usual hours but he is always checking in, answering emails and even on occasion taking calls and zooms etc. 


H turned 12! 


I read so many books this year.. listening to audio's has really been a game changer for me. 


My first book of 2026 is this cute witchy YA  I have had on my shelf for far too long.. I am almost have way through and it is super cute. 

Not much else going on right now.. need to get started on that laundry.. sort through the 100's of pictures and videos and share with you weeks and weeks of travel posts.. lol. 


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Comments

Happy Birthday 🎂 to H. He has a beautiful smile.
Vix said…
Happy New Year to you and your family, Hena! x
Anna said…
Wish you all the best for 2026 ! With many travels and books ;)
Anna
Jennifer said…
Audiobooks have helped me a lot too! Do the kids miss school during the trips or do you just go during their breaks?

Jennifer
https://curatedbyjennifer.com
Hena Tayeb said…
We travel during their breaks. Nov/Dec they get three breaks. Now no traveling till spring break.
Lori said…
Wishing you and your family a wonderful 2026!!
Jenn Jilks said…
What a cutie!
Marie Smith said…
Happy New Year. I look forward to your next travel report!
Strayer said…
Can't wait to hear about your latest travels. I read my first book of 2026 too, a short one I got at Winco Foods for $3. Tracy Flick Never Wins. I loved it.
Kathy G said…
Your boys must be some of the most well-traveled in their classes!
Jeanette said…
Happy Belated Birthday to H ! I remember when my son turned 12. It's a great age! Happy Travels!
Somehow I don't think you'll be impressed that I've visited 7 countries, LOL!
karen said…
happy birthday!!! Time is flying by.
Happy New Year!
I love that you travel, and that you share your travels with us. :-)
Happy New Year!!
Darla M Sands said…
What a precious photo of H. :)
Kelly said…
Belated birthday wishes to H!! I agree that listening to audiobooks some has been a game changer. Looking forward to the travel stories (and pics!!).
Jeanie said…
It sounds like a wonderful year and I can't wait to learn more about your most recent "escape" to foreign climes! Plugging away on new books too! I hope it will be a good reading year!
thecuecard said…
Wow it's nice you have seen so much of the world. It must give you good perspective on life. Way to go on the books ... and happy belated birthday to H. 12!!
Liz A. said…
Ah yes, now it's back to the mundane routine. If you make time for travel, of course you can manage to go. I think a lot of us that don't travel just haven't made the plan and taken the time. I'm sure it gets easier the more you do it.
Margaret D said…
Happy Birthday to H. I'm sure he had a good one.
It's good that you can travel but it's always great to get home. We learn so much when travelling.
Joanne said…
That is so wonderful that your husband's work is so accommodating and you can show your boys the world. They are getting such boosts to their education that way! It looks like you had a great reading year. Listening to audiobooks really made a huge difference in how many books I can read in a year too.
Happy new year! Hope you'll have a great 2026 with lots more amazing travels :)
Red Rose Alley said…
Happy Birthday to your son. Twelve is a good year. I hope the new year is being good to you so far.
Lisa Mandina said…
Spells for Lost Things was good! Glad you are enjoying it. I am so jealous of all the traveling you get to do, it is so awesome, and I love that your kids are getting to do all of that as well. Happy birthday to your son as well!
thathappyreader said…
You are all so lucky to be able to travel so much. Do it while you can.
Cindy said…
Yay for another trip, and also for being back on routines! We moved last month, then traveled, so we are still struggling to get the house in order and get back into our routines.
Yvonne said…
Happy New Year! I hope you and your family have a great 2026!
DeniseinVA said…
I remember those days. Before retirement husband took his office along with him (in his cell phone). Meetings were conducted in hotel rooms or he would pull off the road and have one at a rest center. It's wonderful that you are able to travel so much. Thank you for including the map, I found it very interesting. Happy New Year to you all and A Happy Birthday to your son.
eileeninmd said…
Hello and Happy New Year to you and your family. Happy belated birthday to H.
I wish you all the best in 2026, happy travels.
Alana said…
Happy New Year to all! Wishing H a belated birthday. Reading and travel - ah, that's the life.
Happy New Year. It looks like you accomplished a lot in traveling last year. I hope 2026 brings more adventures.
Happy Birthday to your son! I love his photo against the wing mural.
Ashley Sapp said…
Happy New Year! I'm eager to hear about y'all's latest trip!
Sheila said…
Happy New Year to you and your family, Hena! Happy birthday to your son - what a cool picture!
Laura B said…
I can't wait to hear about your recent trip! I'm sure 2026 has a lot of good things in store for you!
Angie's Recipes said…
He has grown into a handsome young boy! Happy New Year.
Corinne said…
I can't wait to hear about your travel adventures! My son is finally back at school and I'm really in need of the routine!

Corinne x
https://skinnedcartree.com
Shug said…
My first time to visit here and I must say, I am very impressed with all of your travels. This is awesome!! I can't wait to read about your stops and all the things that you all were able to do. Happy Thursday...
Judee said…
It's wonderful that you have been able to travel and see so many interesting countries. Looking forward to hearing more. Happy birthday to your 12 year old and Happy New year
Happy new year and happy birthday to H!
Wishing you and your family a wonderful 2026.

All the best Jan
Mary Kirkland said…
Happy New Year.
Joyce said…
Happy new year to you and your family of adventurers!
Happy New Year! Aren't audiobooks awesome? I've gotten to where I prefer them over print and digital books. Can't wait to read about your adventures!
Wow, that's a lot of countries! I like traveling but like you I also like being at home! Audios are a game changer! I love Karin Slaughter (need to catch up with Will Trent) so happy to see them on your list. Looking forward to hearing about your travels!
Happy New Year to you and your family ~ Happy Belated Birthday to H ~ so good to hear from you ~ hugs,
an artist reflects
Happy New Year! Great trips you have last year!

Bjxxx,
Pinterest | Instagram | Blog
My goodness, that's a lot of travel! Yes, I often wonder about people who seem to be constantly traveling and how they can afford it. Travel is so expensive these days, especially air fare and hotels, that many of us can't afford to do it often. But it's wonderful you are able to do it, and thanks for sharing your adventures!
Haze said…
I can totally relate! I love traveling and seeing new things, but I also love my routines and it's so nice to come back to a regular routine. I haven't traveled in a while though, it's so nice that you're able to do it with your family. Your children are going to have some wonderful core memories of traveling in their childhood!
Rainbow Evening said…
great to travel to many countries.....
joyful for you and yours in 2026
Glad you guys are able to travel so much. Your sons are very fortunate to experience so many countries and cultures. Bravo!! I have always worked in Title I - low-income - schools. When we would take the kids anywhere on a field trip, they would be thrilled. So many of them never left their neighborhood and had such a limited view of the world.
Jeff the Chef said…
That is a lot of travelling! I'll look forward to hearing more about your recent travels.
Rissi said…
Happiest 2026! Hope you all had a great Christmas and start to the year, and yay for all those books read. :) Thanks so much for visiting my list this past week.
How wonderful to have visited such amazing places during the holiday season! Looking forward to hearing about your travels! Happy birthday to your precious son! Many blessings to you!
Lux G. said…
What an amazing year for you and the family! Love to see your travel photos and book lists. More of those this 2026!
So many countries! Your kids are so blessed to have you exposing them to so much of the world. Memories and experiences that they will cherish forever!
Traveling so much you are giving your kids an incredible opportunity!
21 Wits said…
Great words and are we ready for 2026? I hope it will be wonderful for all of us!
Happiest of happy birthdays to H! Your boys are so lucky to have such a wonderful gift - to be able to travel. It is so important to experience other countries and cultures - as you know; I am preaching to the choir! I just think sometimes about how some of my students will never get beyond their own neighborhoods, or cities, and I wish I could take them all over the world.
Happy New Year! I love seeing all of your trips and wouldn't question how you travel so much. That is amazing how many countries you've all visited. Wow! I really checked out of reading/visiting blogs during the 2 week break. I'm back in a routine now as well. I might add that last book to my list!
Joy's Book Blog said…
Thanks for mentioning The Mirror. I read that but didn't get the third book in the trilogy on my TBR. The Seven Rings is out now, so I just put a hold on it at my library.
Happy New Year!
Karalee said…
That is amazing you visited so many countries in 2026! Audiobooks are a gamechanger for me too, and about half the books I read in a year are audiobooks.
May your wonderful traveling life continue to bring joy this new year! I look forward to catching up after having been away from blogland for way too long.

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