2025 at a Glance

2025 came and went in a hurry. Dad got the high school boys' basketball head coaching job, and spent a considerable amount of the year on the couch again trying to heal the two herniated discs in his back. I got a promotion at work and have made big strides towards getting better exercise, which mostly meant spending loads of times on the trails at Castle Park.

And you just continue to grow in all ways. You are taller for sure, in fact, I suspect you have passed me in height. But you also continue to grow in maturity and brainpower and *maybe* you have your pre-teen side showing from time to time.

In January you started playing on the middle school basketball team and had a great season. You scored the first points for your team in the first game and I couldn't be more proud. Most of all, you work hard and have a good attitude and you actually like to practice. It's not all about game time for you.

 

February brought your first school dance, which you attended with the UDW and had a blast.

We participated in Langley's Mystery Weekend for the first time an you even made an appearance in the Seattle Times.

You turned 12 years old in March and with it came your first fully-functioning cell phone.

 

We spent a few days in Friday Harbor over spring break and it was a great family getaway.

April brought the start of track season and I was so excited that you decided to give it a try. You competed in the 400 meter dash, shot put, long jump, and high jump and even got to go to semi-finals in the 400 meter. Middle school sports seasons are over in a hurry and in just that short period, your results improved considerably and I loved tracking your progress from week to week to see how your hard work was paying off.

 

In May you treated me to a lovely Mother's Day tea and kicked off your ASB campaign.

We started out June with the entire 6th grade at Warm Beach Camp.

You finished up 6th grade and we welcomed Grandma and Grandpa and the Toliver Family just after the last day of school.

 

The UDW met up to swim nearly every week all summer long.

July brought fireworks and the fair.

You performed in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Jr. as Violet, Chef 1, part of the Star Chorus, and a Hidden Child.

In August we set off for a family vacation in Leavenworth. We did a lot of shopping, a river float, mini golf, got some traditional Bavarian photos, and ate a lot of ice cream and pretzels.

We renovated the cubby in your bedroom to create more space for books!

You and I did our annual back to school shopping trip and ran a 5k together in Oak Harbor. The race was your birthday gift to me. You did it, somewhat reluctantly, but when it was over you admitted how much fun it was and hoped we could do more. So I immediately went home and started searching for our next race (see December).

September brought the start of 7th grade. The school looks a bit different this year as they are hard at work with renovations. I think it was a bit of an adjustment at first but after you got settled in, that's just the new normal.

In October we went for a lovely Harvest Tea at Willowbrook Manor in Sedro Woolley.

We visited the Harvest Festival at Whidbey Farm and Market with Leah and her mom.

And we rounded out the month with pumpkin carving and all the usual Halloween festivities, dressed as Louise and Linda Belcher from Bob's Burgers.

November brought an HCL field trip to the Museum of Flight.

You were a WWII nurse ancestor in The Addams Family Musical.

And by Thanksgiving we were all ready for a low-key relaxing week at home.

We kicked off December with an overnight in Anacortes to participate in the Santa Run hosted by their HS cross country team. It was lots of fun and a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

The rest of the month included various Christmas activities and we closed out the year with ice skating and a great lights display at Tulalip Lights and Ice. 

All in all, another great year. I can't wait to see what 2026 will bring!