Christmas 2025: Loud, Messy, and Worth the Miles

Christmas with Family in Kentucky

Christmas 2025 meant loading up and pointing the truck north — Grammy and Pop Pop leaving sunny Florida and heading back to Kentucky to spend the holidays with family and our two grandkids.

Not all of the kids could be there, but that didn’t stop Christmas from showing up exactly how it needed to. The time we had together mattered, and every mile on the road was worth it once we pulled in.

Maddox, a Four-Wheeler, and Lessons Passed Down

Maddox and his four-wheeler were a big part of this Christmas.

Watching him ride, you could see the confidence growing with every lap. One of the most meaningful moments was seeing his dad, Dylan, teaching him how to shoot the rifle I bought for him when he was a kid.

That wasn’t just a lesson — it was a quiet moment of generations lining up, passing down skills, responsibility, and trust without needing to say much at all.

Brylee Ann’s Barely-Second Christmas

For Brylee Ann, this was barely her second Christmas — born in October, she’s still new to all of it.

She took everything in slowly: the lights, the voices, the faces she’s just beginning to recognize. Watching Alex and Sarah create new traditions with her was a reminder of how family stories begin — quietly, without ceremony, just by showing up and being present.

When Someone Put Pop Pop in Charge of the Elf

At some point — and no one has officially taken responsibility for this — someone decided Pop Pop should be in charge of the Elf.

That decision led to immediate chaos.

The Elf suddenly developed confidence he hadn’t earned and decision-making skills he definitely didn’t have. He was spotted joyriding where he didn’t belong, hanging from places that raised safety concerns, and showing up in situations that made everyone ask, “How long was Pop Pop left unsupervised?”

The kids thought it was hilarious.

The adults questioned the chain of command.

The Elf showed zero remorse.

By the end of Christmas, Pop Pop was being closely monitored, the Elf was considered a repeat offender, and laughter levels were officially out of control.

Exactly how Christmas should be.

A Christmas Worth the Drive

Christmas 2025 wasn’t perfect.

It wasn’t complete.

And it definitely wasn’t quiet.

But it was real.

It was long drives for short moments.

It was two grandkids growing faster than we’re ready for.

It was traditions being passed down and new ones just beginning.

Grammy & Pop Pop’s Reflection

This is what Christmas looks like now.

Long drives for short but meaningful moments.

Two grandkids growing faster than we’re ready for.

Family time that reminds us why we make the miles count.

Not everything lines up perfectly.

Not everyone can always be there.

But love shows up anyway.

And that makes every mile worth it.

The adventure continues

Love Always

Grammy and Pop Pop