Walking around Centro to check out the town Christmas tree and decorations.

We’d been hoping to try and get my mom down to Mexico for Christmas, but weren’t able to make that happen. So instead I ran up to see her for a few days. I got in too late to go see her the first night, but just in time to make it to Blind Onion before closing. Such a great way to end a long travel day.

Stopped at the store to get my mom a few things and of course to get Bridget a new Christmas toy. This little dog might just live forever, I swear.

Sending Proof of Life back to the family in Mexico.

Grammy is doing great, and so is Aunt Beth.

Meanwhile, back home, Ozzie and Ouest continue to get to know each other better. Oz likes having the bottom of the closet to himself. He comes out, gets a solid round of petting in, and then retreats back to his cave.

Za and Oz haven’t met yet.

Ali celebrates another trip around the sun.

Churros and hot chocolate at San Agustin. Honestly, this is the combo this place is known for, but it’s not nearly as good as it should be.

And then just like that, it’s Christmas.

We took Ozzie in for his two-week check-up. When we got there a volunteer was waiting outside and struck up a conversation. We told her we were just bringing our cat in for his checkup and she asked, “Oh, did you get him here? What’s his name?” We said, “Aussie (that’s Ozzie to us).” Literally, in one second, she began sobbing. She’s been a volunteer there for years, sitting with the cats and walking the dogs. She was so incredibly happy to see he had gotten adopted. She could not stop crying. And apologizing for crying. “This is a happy cry.” Her cries just intensified when we told her he was doing great and adjusting just fine. Everyone knows how hard it is for the older animals to find a good home, especially at a shelter where there is a virtual non-stop cycle of new kittens coming through the door. I was happy that Ouest got to see how much it meant for Oz to find a home with her.

Ali, the kids, and a few other families drove out to Dolores Hidalgo for the afternoon.

The plan had been to get a little ice skating in, but the rink was more of a pond, and the wait was well over an hour. They passed on the skate and just hung out exploring the town instead. That is the very church where Hidalgo rang the bells and delivered the “Grito de Dolores” on September 16, 1810, triggering the Mexican War of Independence.

New Years Eve with a few friends. Onward to 2026.