Christmas 2025

Well, it was an unusual Christmas in the Donoghue house thanks to the flu virus... still a special season and some wonderful quality time with our kiddos.

Merry Christmas!

Part of the girls' Christmas gift was a weekend trip to New York to see one of their favorite bands, The Beths, and to explore the city in early December.  Katie and Andy were super generous to host Jamie and the girls for the weekend, and they had an amazing time!  I think this was the first trip where they really got the idea of wanderlust and how exciting travel can be!

Had to visit the famous Christmas tree

Unfortunately there was  huge computer failure at DTW, so they were delayed over and over again on the way there, just barely making it to New York in time to see the concert.  But they both loved the show, and even got to meet the lead singer afterward!  There was a ton of walking around for them, and I was so glad to hear that the girls kept up just fine.  Evie tracked over 20,000 steps each day!

So relieved to finally be leaving Detroit!

Hanging with Katie before the show

Got a good spot and could see everything!

Hydrate or dydrate

Meeting Elizabeth Stokes!

Who you gonna call?

Sight-seeing

In her happy place at a book store

Playing with Henry and Lewis

Best dad

Subway savvy

Evie's happy place - anywhere with
ice cream and whipped cream

Obviously had to visit the Lego store

Per tradition, we went to Frankenmuth right before Christmas and stayed at the Bavarian Inn.  Wow - the new water park is so cool, something for everyone!  Even Jamie and I enjoyed a lot of the activities.  The family raft slide, wave pool and indoor/outdoor hot tub were our faves.  Unfortunately Maggie was starting to feel pretty sick when we got there, and spent most of the time in the room (found out later she had Flu-B).  We spent two nights this year, which made it a lot easier to do "all the things" and not feel pressured or rushed.

A huge waste of energy, but an outdoor hot tub in the middle
of winter was pretty darn cool

So relaxing

Happy on the lazy river

Putt Putting around

Ben did pretty well this year!

Ropes course was a bunch of fun!

I had to stay with Ben because he's a shorty - the
kid doesn't slow down up there!

Walking across the bridge to dinner

Somehow this picture was on my phone - 
Evie captured something magical here!

We all got home on Christmas Eve feeling kind of tired and crummy, Maggie was miserable.  We took her to urgent care and got the flu diagnosis... and then Jamie, Evie and Ben all starting coming down with symptoms.  I was mostly fine throughout thanks to the flu shot, but it was a pretty tiring few days keeping up with so many sick people!  Christmas morning was still special, but a little subdued.  We didn't do breakfast with my parents like usual, and didn't go to the Donoghues either.  It was sad, but also left time for a lot of Christmas cuddles and much-needed naps.

Top of the stairs annual photo

This Christmas was sick!

Books and coffee are the way to Maggie's heart

Loving her new Gilmore Girls PJs from Grammer!

Sickness does not slow this guy down, physically
or vocally

Pretty much the view in our house for several days

Our homemade ornaments this year:
Jamie - felt poked replica of my bear Shoelaces (first gift he ever got me)
Holly - replica empty toilet paper holder because only I have the
rare, magical power to replace the roll

Even Maple was feeling lazy

Time to continue disinfecting...