December 26, 2025

(click for today's pictures) 

• Marley didn't do as well last night, but she did only wake up once so we can't complain too much. Robby took her to the living room this morning while I finished sleeping. Then Marley and I started on our morning chores-this means, I stand in the kitchen folding laundry while she licks the floor at my feet.
• Robby and I then started on taking the Christmas down. I certainly enjoy Christmas, but I also enjoy taking it all down! The house feels a bit empty now, and I could even find a few more things to throw away, but even though our trash did run today, I'm trying to limit my trash can usage because I know it will be full quickly!
• We worked until about 11 putting things away. Then the girls started waking up, and we soon left. I thought that our first stop was going to only be Old Navy. However, between all of us, we just about went into every store in the outlets. No one really spent much money, but we sure looked at everything.
• Our next stop was gas for the van and then Walmart. I had a return, and surprisingly there was not a line for returns. The girls did their shopping here pretty quickly. We did briefly look at the Christmas stuff, but the crowds were crazy so we didn't stay in that area too long.
• Next we stopped at Home Goods and Hobby Lobby. By this time, we were starting to fade. Campbell stayed in the car for Hobby Lobby, and I just stayed in the car when I dropped them off at Target. Finally, we just had two stops left-Starbucks for Keaton to get a drink and then Zaxby's for Campbell to use her gift card.
• Marley was sleeping in Whitman's lap when we came home. Graham had already left to do some shopping of his own, and he didn't even spend any money. When he made it home, I had the boys all carry up a Christmas tree to the attic, and then the big boys had to move a chair back to its spot. 
• Robby brought pizza home for supper, and this evening Anderson and Graham went to play volleyball while Reagan went to the movies so now Robby, Whitman, and I are watching a documentary.