December 2025

Now that I work and the boys are getting older, it's hard to do all the traditions we've always done, but I'm still trying.  Kaleb has asked to make Gingerbread cookies for a few years now but it always seemed intimidating.  I decided this was the year to try. I didn't care for them but Kaleb thought they were good so that's all that mattered.  We did have fun decorating them! 
The annual hunting trip to Punxsutawney PA was a little different this year.  Josh told the boys that they had to clean and gut any deer they killed.  Jack got one and did it.  Kaleb didn't even shoot lol
Since the boys didn't look for Willie most days last year I told them I wasn't hiding him this year.  One day when I got home from work I found him hanging from the kitchen ceiling! Jack hid him from me this year! 
When your tired but trying to keep up traditions and work is having a cookie exchange. I asked the boys to each pick a great they wanted to make.  Jack picked Santa Trash cookies and Kaleb picked Oreo balls up 
One tradition that I'm definitely keeping is our cookie decorating Grinch Pancake breakfast! This is the 5th year and the last 3 the Blairs baked the cookies but they were in Georgia this year so the boys and I made them.  We missed Kip and Izzy but it was still a great day! 
Emily, Alexa, Sophie,  Kaleb, Jack, Wyatt, & Kenny
My boys cookies
This year instead of white elephant the kids decided to draw names and do secret Santa
Kenny got Kaleb's name and got him OSB board for his skate ramps!
This is the second year in a row that the boys forgot to put cookies out for Santa. At least I remembered this year.  
Josh snuck pictures of me putting the gifts under the tree this year and I'm so glad because it's one of my favorite parts and I don't know if I have any from any other years.  
Santa is finished! 🙂
Merry Christmas! 
The boys started off with their individual scavenger hunts.  This year was the hardest yet! Josh had them picking locks
Jack had a little trouble so Kaleb helped.  
Working out
Kaleb had to climb trees  and go to the Marina before finding his. 
 He's been saving to build a computer so we got him the parts he didn't have the money for yet. I just printed everything so I could make sure I order the correct parts.  
Jack had multiple stops as well, even having to drive to Harley Rd. And searching the woods! 
He bought a use Coleman mini bike last month and wanted a new engine for it! He was excited! 
12 years ago uncle Mello got him his first engine.  We'll have to see if he still works with his tongue out.  🤣🤣
Josh got them their own "gutting knives" for hunting. 
Grandma and Grandpa Jones sent money this year so I thought thought it would be funny to wrap it in dust pans.  Lol
Jack was so hard to shop for this year because when we would ask what he wanted he would say "I don't know." He didn't even ask for a new computer monitor but I've heard him say in the past that he would like a curved one so that's what we got him.  He was excited and it was nice to see true excitement because he wasn't expecting it.  
You can tell by his face that he had no idea what was in this box.  Lol
Ididn't get a picture with them and all their gifts this year but he had a good Christmas. 
Kaleb, on the other hand had a list a mile long😂😂 He had a good one too! 
After they opened their gifts it was time for their combined scavenger hunt.  
Their combined gift was a welder this year! 
The boys wrote my scavenger hunt this year and they did a great job! I've wanted a snowflake pendant for years and Josh delivered and even added some diamond earrings! He also got me some new ski base layers and the boys got me a few things.  I had a great Christmas! 
Josh got a new gun! 
I cooked dinner and we had the Robinson's and the Pew's over.  Lance was deployed so it was just Mishaun and the kids.  We missed him but it was great spending the evening with them! 
On Dec 27th Josh took the boys to the Ski Cabin to spend the week with the Meckley's.  I had to work so I couldn't go. I missed them on New Years but they had fun! 

2025 was a year of adjustments for sure! Me going back to work was hard on Kaleb, he missed me being there when he got home from school at first but got used to it after a while.  Josh is still traveling for work. He made the most qualified Sargent Major's list and they wanted him to reinlist but he decided it was time to get out and put his retirement papers in. We are all looking forward to that! His retirement date is March 1, 2027!
 I absolutely love my job! I've learned so much this year and have gotten 2 raises! They even had me help train the new girls because my manager said she wanted them to have my work ethic.  She has told me several times how much they love having me there and what am asset I am to Back in Motion.  
The owner, Mary, gave me this sweet Christmas card that she hand wrote saying that she knew the first time she met me that I was going to be amazing! It meant so much to me! I also got a $1000 Christmas bonus! I was so excited! 
The boys are doing great in school.  Jack is taking auto tech and really likes it.  He told Josh last month that he wants to be a diesel mechanic and go to college in Ohio at a school that has the best diesel mechanic program in the country. He had grown up so much this year, he's definitely not my little guy anymore and he has no idea this is what I see when I look at him! ♥️

 I can't wait to see what 2026 brings! 





















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