December 25, 2025-Merry Christmas 2025

(click for today's pictures) 

• It was a Christmas miracle: Marley slept through the night and woke up right at 7. This was perfect because after Marley went to the bathroom, I started in the kitchen. I had the fruit ready all ready, so this morning I had to make the breakfast sandwiches and the monkey bread. 
• Last night we had told the kids that they could wake up at 8:15, and I had heard some stirring but not a whole lot of movement. Robby went upstairs to get Bentley and put her Christmas pajamas on. Then it was time to start our Christmas morning. 
• Graham was awake in the boys' room, but Anderson and Whitman were still snoozing. We did our traditional picture on the stairs with everyone before coming down. As always, the stockings are my favorite part of Christmas (and really probably a very expensive part-don't tell Robby). 
• This year, as always, everyone had quite a bit in their stocking. Plus everyone had a few other gifts-I'll try to see what I can remember. Reagan had a check and shoes from us and then a blanket from Anderson. Anderson had shoes and a check from us and more shoes from Graham. Graham had a backpack and a check from us and a quarter zip from Keaton. Campbell had perfume and a check from us and a necklace from Whitman. Keaton had a shirt and a check from us and a vest, shoes, and picture frame from Reagan. Whitman didn't get a check because he got a game and a switch from us and a pizza blanket. Robby got quite a bit of candy and a few pairs of scissors while I opened a crock pot, house shoes, and a pair of tennis shoes. (In my shoe count from last night, I forgot about my house shoes-so we opened 6 pairs of shoes this morning.)
•  We just about finished opening all of the presents when Nonna, Pops, Grannymom, and Jason all arrived for breakfast. We all ate and showed off our gifts-it was a very good morning. After breakfast, Whitman worked on setting up his switch while I tried to pick up a few things. 
• We all met back up at Dana's house for Christmas lunch. Dana had 3 different types of chili including white bean chicken chili which was absolutely delicious. Robby and I sat outside when we ate, and the weather was perfect (and pretty dreary too).
• Once we were back home this afternoon, I went to work on making potato soup for our supper. I always double this soup recipe, so I did today too. I'm not really sure why I did that because there were just the 8 of us eating tonight. Robby and I ran to Pops' house for a bit so Robby could work on their tv. It was an easy fix, and soon we were back at the house where I had myself a Christmas nap.
• Next up was supper-we all ate together, and as we were finishing the soup (in our bowls; we will never be able to finish the soup in the crock pot) everyone worked on the puzzle and finished it. Then we played Whitman's One Night Warewolf game. We were a bit worried about it, but it turned out to be fun and quick. I think that everyone enjoyed it.
• Then I cleaned the kitchen and had some dog duty, but now I'm going to pour myself some hot chocolate and use some new syrup to flavor it.