Our Christmas week included ice skating, tennis, and busting out the Nintendo Switch that probably hasn’t been used since last summer. Michelle got plenty of ice time between going with Natalie and I on Christmas Eve, going with her viola section on Friday, and for half an hour as part of a tri-stake youth activity and her first Church dance.
Beware of playing tennis with a baseball player, especially if he’s an outfielder. Poor kid had to take it easy on me after he accidentally hit me with the ball. Yes, there is a bruise, and in a place I have only showed my spouse. Lol
Hubby made us a wonderful prime rib dinner for Christmas Eve and I bake ham for Christmas Day. My meal was much easier, especially considering he had so many leftover potatoes we used those instead of making new. Natalie and I baked a cake for these meals using a Christmas tree shaped pan my mother had given us. She was an amazing helper this week! One thing that apparently was long over due was cleaning out our spice cabinet, which was spurred on by my nutmeg smelling off when I was making the glaze for the ham. Let’s just say it’s embarrassing how old a handful of those spices were. And the entire pantry and refrigerator have been gone through too.
Lots of Mario Kart and Mario Party was played with some Just Dance for Michelle and Natalie. They all hung out with friends this week, especially Kate. She was good about letting us know who she would be with and whose house she was spending the night at. And of course we got to say hi to her best friends when they were at our house too.
Christmas morning turned out way better than expected! Since we are going on a trip, I spent about half as much as normal on presents. But then we realized we all needed waterproof hiking shoes for our upcoming adventure and that doubled the price of what I had already spent. I’ll still call it a win because it’s a very good thing I didn’t spend my normal amount. Best surprise went to Danny and his air fryer. I had bought one for my parents and he saw it before I wrapped it and got so excited and then so disappointed. So when I saw a different air fryer for less than half the price I took a chance. So far so good!
Please realize that this picture was a comedy of errors when my watch wasn’t triggering my phone we had set up on the mantel so we had to use Hubby’s. Christmas Jammie smiles captured eventually. A little not about why my parents weren’t able to join us for Christmas this year. My father was in a car accident caused by a woman pulling out of her driveway in front of him as he was coming home from work. I was at Activity Days with Natalie so Hubby picked up my very upset mother and took her to the ER where the ambulance had already taken my dad. He officially has whiplash and definitely concussion symptoms as well and his car is totaled. Hubby and I spent time helping with insurance and other things because just a few days after he accident my mom came down with a nasty stomach bug that I know a lot of people are getting right now. Luckily she started to feel better after a full week of being ill and my dad is doing better now that we have convinced him not to try to go to work again until after he has met with his PCP in person. It was hard to see my parents in such bad shape and Hubby and I have decided I need to go spend time helping them on a weekly basis instead of an as needed basis.
Maisie LOVED her annual rawhide treat! And I loved our advent candles with 25 titles for Jesus Christ. And last but not least, Hubby did a wonderful job with our annual latkes to celebrate Hanukkah.
Wishing all of you a wonderful 2025 filled with moments you feel loved and miracles witnessed!











Comments