Christmas 2025 Snapshots ✨

Happy, happy Tuesday!!! Oh, it's so fun to be back here. Thank you for everyone who filled out the blog survey last week - I loved reading so many ideas and now have a fun list to blog through this year. Today I thought it would be fun to share a few snapshots from our Christmas break. We celebrated Christmas at our house, and then spent a few days in Louisville getting to see family and friends and lots of rest and recovery (from that dreaded stomach bug), and then were home with a few days left to ring in 2026 and soak in some home time before back to schedules and rhythms in the new year... It was a sweet break, so without further ado, here are just a few snapshots from Christmas!

These two were just so much fun this year. Jane was at an age where she REALLY got it, and was actually much better at keeping surprises than I thought she was going to be hahaha and Andy didn't know for sure what was going on, but by the end, we caught him opening gifts at my parents' house that weren't even for him one night hahaha He knew how to get that wrapping paper off that's for sure 😅 It was just a really sweet and special year for sure! 

Christmas Eve sure looked a little different this year though, as Jane came down with a bug the night before and was definitely still resting and recouping, so we handed off leadership roles for our Christmas Eve service and stayed cozied up all day. We sure missed being with friends, but we loved the extra time it gave us with family that day. 

This was also a different year because I wrapped in sections when I had time here and there leading up to Christmas instead of all Christmas Eve night, and I have to say, it was so nice hahaha Jane helped me with some (which was so fun!!), and I saved several for a special Christmas morning surprise, but I always love the night before Christmas. It really must be one of the most cozy days and nights of the whole year. 

We did something different this year and let them each find a little fun gift in their stockings before they went to bed that night, and it was SUCH a treat. 

This girl snuggled up in her Christmas sheets with her baby was a December FAVORITE for me hahaha

We got to number 25 in our Jesse Tree that morning, which was definitely a treat...

We had been counting down till Baby JESUS. 

Pretty much the thing at the top of Jane's list was everything baby. She had been asking us for so long if she could get a pacifier for her baby... 

And let me tell you, this little Mommy was in heaven for most of the day... hahaha 

This little highchair was a fan-favorite also. It "matched Andy's," and has already been very well-loved at our house during mealtimes haha 

After some fun at our house that day, we made our way up to Nana and Papa's for lots more fun, family, and gifts... Jane opened a few of her very favorite things (including this color by number and these crayons - they have been a family hit these past few weeks!!) We had a beautiful Christmas dinner, hung out with Aunt Audrey, Uncle Matt, and sweet Noah and then my poor body started feeling the effects of being sweet Jane's nurse two nights earlier, and I was down for the count... It definitely wasn't the way I saw ending such a sweet day, but I was so thankful for Pierce and my parents for taking care of everything while I recovered. 

This little buddy was in heaven hanging with his favorite person. 

Dad sent this to our family message the next day. Wearing a UPS hat and matching boots while walking in the woods! Besties! 

Once I was feeling a bit better, I helped Mom finish her beautiful puzzle that she had out. It was definitely a favorite! 

We had reading parties during rest time... 

And Jane loved her time with Nana...from blocks to coloring... 

...to my mom teaching her the art of Etch-a-Sketch... We all decided we needed to go ahead and somehow frame this and never shake it after this drawing....hahaha 

And between playing and reading and resting, we watched football, ate amazing food, and played games. (I was gifted Blank Slate for Christmas, and it was a family favorite this break for sure!)

My sweet best friend Elizabeth came over, and Jane was in love with her and her baby's matching Christmas nightgown Elizabeth gave her... 🥰

Sweet girl is a good little Mommy! (Also, if you have a "Little Mommy," this book is a very favorite right now. I think Jane asks me to read it at least ten times a day hahaha )

We sure loved our time and days at Nana and Papa's!! 

We made it back to our house though, and turned on a little Christmas pot that had been given to us as a gift. 

This little buddy was missing his grandparents, but loving breakfast at the table...that little face!! Hahaha 

And this little one was loving the tea that Nana sent back with her...she is sure a girl after my own (and her Nana's!) heart that's for sure 🫖 

Pierce and I decided to enjoy the last few days of break with a puzzle that my mom had given us the Christmas we went to NYC (you can read about that here). It had always been tucked away with our games, and we loved pulling it out and working on it after the kids went to bed.

I loved shutting down at night and seeing this view!!  

A brand new puzzle, but one missing piece...whomp whomp...haha but such a fun little picture! 

We rang in the New Year with some of our sweetest friends from church and with six kids, take-out, and a handmade "ball drop" with balloons at 6:00pm, I'm not sure you could get much better in this season of life hahaha (Also, please note Andy grabbing something that I'm 100% positive he should probably not have his hands on hahaha) 

But being cozied up here was the biggest treat as we said goodbye to 2025 and hello to 2026 and to the freshness that January brings along with it... 

This Christmas break sure was one for the books though! It was sweet and special and the perfect amount of slow in all the right ways. Even with the sickness, it was still one of our favorites to date. As Jane always says, "I love Saturdays," and this Christmas break felt like a whole lot of Saturdays all at one time, and we are so grateful. I'll never grow tired of time with these three and this break felt like such a gift of exactly that. 

Thanks for following along in this journey and for ringing in 2026 with a few memories from Christmas. I pray your Christmas break was filled with little moments of slowing down and seeing the good and the simple and the joy in those moments. It's always a blessing for us. 

I'll plan on seeing you back here tomorrow!!
Sending lots of love on this January morning!!!
XO

Tabitha