Christmas 2025 was a success

    We had a great Christmas and, as a precursor to the great Christmas, we had a fun visit with cute Reese. She's just the cutest! 

We love a Reese visit!

An early Christmas gift for me from my best “show-watching” buddy, Kason.

    Now on to the Christmas fun and photos, starting with Christmas Eve, which was small and simple.

Christmas Eve gift time.

Christmas morning lineup! It’s definitely getting smaller.

Starting with stockings. Plenty of candy, trinkets and socks.

Charlie had little to no surprises when it came to her Christmas gifts, but she was happy to be back with all her great purchases.

McClane is feeling pretty pleased with his Christmas haul.

Meet Brock, "The Welder". (This should be fun.)

And meet Carter, "The Drummer". (This should be even 'more' fun.)

A new coat and a little heavier weighted vest for me.

The hat Greg said he, 'NEEDED!" And a cool Sousvide tool/appliance/device.

The newlyweds opening their gift, an 'apple-play' device for their 'new' car.

Mark and Rio opening a few gifts from us, mostly small, but fun things. Not photographed, but my favorite gift, a t-shirt for Mark that says "I trip over my Wiener" with a cute picture of a wiener dog that looks just like their cute dog, Lou.

And Kayli happily opening a box of chocolates that led to an envelop of cash.

    And then the fun of watching these cute girls opening their gifts.

You’ve got to love Tanner filling in for Elliot who was done posing for photos.

The cutest drum players.

    Time for the sibling gift exchange. There were some psych-outs, missing gifts and silliness but overall everyone was happy. 

 A couple kids are going to have to wait for their gift, hence the middle finger display.

Let the 'FUN' begin!

    

    Now on to the New Year, 2025 is nearly a wrap!

Christmas boost

     From new nails to the cutest Christmas program, we're definitely getting in the Christmas spirit around here.

 

   This year it's Harley's turn to perform in the preschool Christmas program and perform she did. She was the star performer! She knew every song and dance move, and even made several of the announcements at the microphone & nailed it. She's the cutest!

The star of the show!

    And now on to Christmas, in 6 sleeps! (And I think we're ready.)

A legendary calendar

     You know, it's rare to get a gift you never wanted, asked for, or even dreamed of, but then one day it's given and you don't know how you ever got along without it or if anyone will ever top it. That happened to me last Friday when my friend, Gina, gifted us the best calendar ever made! Greg, Andy and Scott, the A.I. version, which is EPIC!! Let 2026 go down in history. And don't worry, I'll be sharing the monthly photos as the year goes along. For now, here's the cover.

There are no words that capture the joy this calendar brings me.

    And not to brag, but we have some of the cutest grand-girls around. How cute are they in their matching fancy coats!?

Harley was in a photo taking, modeling mood on Sunday.

    

    I don't know about you but I can't wait to start 2026. Wait until you see January's photo! 

  

P.S. Only 13 sleeps!

Christmas decor, birthday fun & more

     We are officially preparing for Christmas. The decorations are up, the shopping has begun, and a few gifts are already wrapped and under the tree. We also celebrated my birthday and I definitely felt the love from some of my favorite people.

 Christmas decor 2025

 

I'm obsessed with my gnome tree! 

    I was especially flattered when my 'show-watching' buddy, Kason, spent hours making me home-made chocolate macaroons. He did an amazing job, they were delecious!

Photo courtesy of his parents.

The grand-girls were more than happy to assist in the gift opening process.

 

 I got lots of great things, including a new, and much needed, dresser.

    And today I got to go with Kayli and the girls to Festival of Trees, which is always a fun & crazy time.

Cute Harley by 'her' Harley Davidson tree.

And it's not a complete trip without a visit with Santa and, bonus, Mrs. Clause.

This tree was in honor of those lost to suicide and my good friends brother was included. Tear jerker for sure!

And proof that I was there for all the fun.

    A great end to November and a good start to December. Now on to more things, including a dance recital, tonight, for Charlie. Oh and 20 sleeps until the 'big-day'.