As the year winds down and the twinkle lights come out of hiding, we find ourselves looking back at another swirl of seasons, school days, and the sweet moments that stitched 2025 together. Somehow the boys grew taller, Asha grew grayer, and we grew, eh, a little more tired, but grateful all the same.

WINTER

We kicked off the year with snow tubing with friends. The boys love the snow and speed, so it's a perfect outing. We also had our first pilgrimage to the boy's version of paradise: Great Wolf Lodge. Few things evoke pure childhood bliss like a strangely warm indoor water park in the dead of winter, and the boys took it upon themselves to experience every slide at maximum speed.

SPRING

Easter began with a neighborhood egg hunt and ended in Utah with Papa Don and Mimi Nada. We spent the week ATV-ing, hiking slot canyons, rock climbing, and peering down at the Hoover Dam during a tour inside the gigantic structure. The grand finale: a Vegas hotel with incredible pools and a long-awaited Josh-and-Heather date night wandering Fremont Street and the Neon Museum. It was the kind of week that felt like three vacations packed into one.

SUMMER

Summer was everything sunshine promises it will be. Heather's long-held dream finally came true when even Josh got a bike, making the family bike ride a reality. From there, we moved into full "permanent swimwear" mode: bathingsuits, pool, repeat.

We spent a windswept weekend in Seabrook with two other families (essentially a giant sleepover); celebrated the 4th of July watching fireworks over Steilacoom; and took a day trip to Sequim to visit our friend's farm, where we snapped the photos now starring on this year's Christmas card.

San Diego gave us a wonderful visit with Mimi Jan and Papa John, complete with a day at Legoland, a visit from Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Damon, and exploring the tide pools at Cabrillo National Park. (Caleb lost a Croc to the waves—may it rest in kelp.)

We also hiked the Naches Loop amid summer wildflowers and unbeatable views of Mt. Rainier, a great reminder of why we love living in the PNW. We ferried our way to Vashon for a perfect day trip with friends. And as summer closed, we kept our tradition alive with a final hurrah on Balboa Island with the Browns. The boys swam to the dock and jumped off approximately 4,000 times. It never gets old—for them or for us.

FALL

Fall arrived with backpacks, crisp mornings, and Cor Deo's whirlwind schedule. Wesley and Caleb settled into their new grades, we attended the Rainiers game with the school, braved the Puyallup State Fair, and did the classic pumpkin patch visit with friends. Reformation Day—Cor Deo's biggest event of the year—gave the boys an excuse to dress like knights and feast like medieval lords.

We ended the season in Utah with the Browns for Thanksgiving, hiking Zion, spotting petroglyphs, climbing red rocks, and soaking up time with Mimi and Papa.

Our Family Update

WESLEY

Our sweet Wesley wrapped up Kindergarten with a presentation as an Arctic fox. Now a proud 1st grader and a recently turned 7-year-old, Wesley is discovering the joy of reading. His class has enjoyed The Rainbow Fish play, celebrated Egyptian Day, and Wesley even received the Virtuous Knight award for obedience this year, a parent's dream.

CALEB

Caleb will turn double digits in a few short weeks on January 2nd. Double digits--oh my! He finished 3rd grade strong, making a Tom Thumb diorama and performing a Swiss Family Robinson presentation as a dog—thanks to last year's beloved Scooby costume. Now in 4th grade, Caleb is thriving, recently debuting as George Jennings (inventor of the flushing toilet!) at his class's recreation of the Great Exhibition of 1851.

HEATHER

Heather spent much of the year volunteering for the Cor Deo and is leading the school's marketing efforts this year. A large part of this is the Cor Deo Auction. Last year's theme was Take Flight, and this year's is The Road Ahead — planned in tandem with her good friend, April. In addition to her marketing work at Cor Deo, she has taken on a development specialist role as the school prepares for a major move next year. Somehow, she still finds time to keep the boys' schedules in orbit and grab moments with friends—including seeing Nate Bargatze again, proving that laughter really is good medicine.

JOSH

Josh left Wimmer Solutions in June and has been helping a former coworker launch a consulting business while also pursuing his next big role. He still enjoys running and, of course, remains Asha's preferred walking companion.

ASHA

Asha turns 11 this year—77 in human years—and carries her age with a touch of gray around her muzzle. She remains our brilliant but slightly clueless sweetheart and continues to find new ways to amuse us daily. We adore her.

Through the highs, the chaos, and the moments that made us pause in gratitude, 2025 reminded us once again what a gift it is to live life alongside the people we love.

From our family to yours—may your Christmas be full of warmth, joy, and the hope of Christ.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!