I began last year’s letter saying that 2024 might be the last year I write a Christmas letter because it doesn’t bring me the joy it used to. But, here I am, December 13, 2025, writing another Christmas letter. I prepared for this year’s letter very differently. At the end of every month, I made notes of all the events of the month so that writing this letter would be a little easier. Part of me was tempted to take my notes and have AI create the letter. That would definitely be easier, but it’s lazy. I can be described as many things; lazy is not one of them.
2025 brought many family changes. Dylan got married in May. Welcome to the family Valerie & Alex! Anthony’s Dad, Tony, died in September. In June, we added a new puppy to our family, Rolo.
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| Rolo & Skittles |
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| Mr. & Mrs. Dylan Duncan |
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| Tony's Service |
This year we traveled for work and family business more than expected. In January, Anthony and I went to Virginia. I went back to Virginia again in August and September. Anthony and I visited Tennessee together twice. Anthony went to Tennessee by himself twice and has another trip planned for next week. Anthony also went to Kentucky for work.
Among the stress of the day-to-day and Tony’s declining health, we managed to spend time with family and friends and plan many fun outings.
Family
The 2 things that bring family together are weddings and funerals. We had both this year. We had a great time at Dylan’s wedding. I enjoyed spending time with Dylan and his family. It was also great to visit with my Duncan family. We were fortunate to spend time with Leighton, Rachel and Kavya twice this year. For both Dylan’s wedding and Tony’s funeral, we rented a house large enough for everyone to stay under one roof. I was fortunate enough to see my Mom on each Tennessee visit; and even got to have dinner with her on my birthday.
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| Dylan's Wedding |
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| Brotherly Love (kind of) |
This year marked the 8th anniversary of Jessica’s death and her 39th birthday. Unfortunately, I only visited her once this year. My wonderful friend Barbara Maxwell helps put new flowers out every few months. June marked the 1st anniversary of the death of our precious Snickers. This is also the month that we brought home Rolo. Rolo was 2.5 months old and weighed 2 pounds when we brought him home. He is now 8.5 months old and weighs 6.2 pounds. He has very long legs and towers over Skittles. He is 1,000% puppy and keeps us on our toes.
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| Rolo |
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| Skittles |
Friends
Anthony and I are intentional about spending time with family and friends. This year we visited our friends Jenny English and Troy & Leslie Kelly while in Virginia and visited Roger & KC Gott and Barbara Maxwell while in Texas. We spent time with Anthony’s friends Mike Houlihan and Kelly Sobilo when they came to the Tampa Bay area.
Throughout every year, I always complain that we “never go anywhere or do anything”. This summary reminds me that is not true. This year, we did a short 3-day cruise to Nassau, Bahamas, made a spontaneous trip to Ft. Meyers, FL, attended the Florida State Fair, did a 14- mile bike ride in the Starkey Wilderness Park, saw Rick Wakeman and Weird Al Yankovic in concert in Clearwater, saw comedians Jon Crist and Nate Bargatze in Tampa and Joe Devito in Sarasota, attended an art festival in St. Pete, went kayaking on Crystal River and the Weeden Island Preserve, went to the beach at Honeymoon Island, did a sunset cruise in Tarpon Springs and Ft. Meyers, did an airboat ride and a swamp buggy ride on the Ochopee River and visited the smallest post office in the U.S. (in Ochopee, FL).
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| Nate Bargatze Show (we love photo bombers!) |
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| Weird Al Concert |
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| Kayaking Weedon Preserve |
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| Flying Somwhere with this fun photo bomber! |
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| Cruisin' with Carnival |
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| Sunset Cruise, Ft Meyers |
We are hopeful for a lighter 2026 with more opportunities to spend time with family and friends and fun!
