Christmas time

Hey there!

Christmas in 2025 is upon us.

This year has flown by— Zenosyne in full effect.

We spent Christmas Eve going to our church’s service. It was a candlelight service (see photos below). You will also see that Arabella had her hair done up like Cindy Lou Who. Elijah wore Christmas colors, but mainly because he wanted to wear Blazers gear.

The next day, we opened presents. Spent a lot less this year, mainly because we have been cutting back on the number of things the kids have. Despite this, we were mailed presents, enough for the kids to keep, as if this were a normal Christmas year. You might say that it’s a good thing, but I disagree. The kids have SO many gifts, I get overwhelmed. Feel a bit like the Grinch – “Toys, toys, toys” and all of the “NOISE NOISE NOISE”

I must admit that when that happens, Christmas does not feel like one of my favorite days.

This year, even less, despite the job. Despite all of that, we have been cleaning and doing more cleaning. I have deferred the kids’ rooms to my wife, who did not want to throw their things away (as I suggested). Why throw it away? To put it simply, they show that they don’t care enough to pick up after themselves and would rather throw it away than pick it up.

If that’s the game they want to play, let’s do it.

Maybe I am the Grinch. Who knows?! There must be a reason he is known as “Uncle Grinch” in our house – that would make him another brother of mine – so there must be something to that.

We didn’t get a chance to watch ANY Christmas movies at all before Christmas. Felt like a madhouse.

Since my parents were in town, we decided to go out a few days after Christmas and see the Santa Clones. We also went to Peacock Lane and the Candy Canes house (also very close to Peacock Lane).

The Santa Clones is an event we have been visiting for several years now, consistently. I like the Portland Winter Light Festival. The main difference is that they set it up in a different location each year, with a riddle to figure out where it is. It’s pretty easy to figure out, and that’s by design.

I suppose that’s all for now.

Merry Christmas to all!

just Pray