Christmas 2025

On Christmas Eve, we attended our 4 pm church service as a family. Jonathan had to go early to help set up. We sang a lot of carols (more than last year) interspersed with Scripture. It is always interesting to see the family members that join regular attenders for Christmas Eve. We end the service with candles and singing Silent Night followed by Jesus Name Above All Names. We had someone take our photo at the front of the church. That's the photo at the top.

We had dinner out as a family after church. This year we went to Anthony's in Edmonds for a somewhat casual meal. J and C had fish and chips. A had rockfish and I had salmon fettucine with vegetables.

On Christmas Day we had a breakfast casserole and then opened presents. I thought that J had a large pile of gifts so I took a photo of it. 

This was the first year when both boys had money to spend to buy gifts. 

A received a Seahawks jersey (Jaxon Smith-Njigba), the promise of a new monitor, some TinTin books that I bought at Bolen Books in Victoria, snacks, a large insulated shopping bag for his favourite grocery store (Trader Joe's), and a quarter zip sweater which is wine coloured.

C received a Calgary Flames jersey. I purchased it in Victoria back in September. He also received a Spike Ball Titan set which he was very excited to receive. It will be tricky getting it to LA since a car didn't come back with the boys this Christmas. He also received a sweatshirt and a Lego set from A. C also received some books, a tea infuser that is shaped like a pig, a case for a Kindle, and some shortbread.

J received some targets for shootings (not pictured), a sling for carrying a gun, the promise of a new watch that he was wanted for years, a book, a set of DVDs of Clint Eastwood movies, a winter scarf, cigars, and savory snacks.

I received a gold cross pendant, tickets for an upcoming Seattle Symphony concert, an essential oils diffuser, the book War and Peace, a stuffed Corgi (from C), a coffee cup with Christmas teddy bears on it, Winnie the Pooh key rings, a calendar, and teas of various kinds. I got one of my cross stitch project custom framed and that was essentially a gift since framing is pricey. I also received a gardener's tool belt which has a place to hold snippers.  A's gift to me was the ticket to the Seahawks game on December 18th. 

C did such a great job buying stocking stuffers that we jokingly said we'd hire him to shop next year.

After opening gifts, J and I worked on cooking. I laid the table. This is my favourite part. 

The flowers on the table did double duty. They decorated the altar table at church for the Christmas Eve service.

We ate at 5 pm. Our menu: Prime Rib, Yorkshire Pudding, Roasted Vegetables (with a rosemary orange and honey glaze), and Mashed Potatoes. I made a black forest chocolate trifle for dessert.  

Prime Rib is pretty pricey so I am grateful that we can afford this luxury. We did Christmas crackers. Unfortunately, the ones I bought were a dud. No good cracking sound when we pulled them and there were missing crowns and prizes. They were from Paper Source.

Here's my Christmas tree. It is a prelit tree but some of the lights have quit working, unfortunately. 

I phoned my mom in the evening. I was so grateful that she had someone to be with on Christmas Day. This is her first Christmas alone since my dad passed in June. She was invited for Christmas lunch with a friend in an adjoining building. 

Here she is with her friend.

Christopher set this up on our TV. It is music plus a beautiful image. It is from YouTube.

I'm so thankful to be together as a family this year. I don't take it for granted. 

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