Here’s to 2025!

Dear family and friends,

As we tie a bow on the Silver Jubilee of the 21st century and settle into the holiday season, we wanted to share a few highlights from our crew.

Jaxon (15, freshman) kept us on the move this year. He played second base in baseball, earning a spot in the All-Stars game from his peers, ran track, and played wide receiver and defensive back in football. He’s also involved in Boy Scouts, FFA, 4H, FCA, chess club, and plays percussion in marching band. In December he was voted to be Senior Patrol Leader for Boy Scouts, which he’s excited about. He earned his Discovery Degree in FFA and showed his pigs—Baconator and Porkchop Jr.—at the county fair with his cousins. When he’s not beating us at video games, he loves going bowling with friends or family. We love his positivity and sense of humor. When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, he said, “That’s classified information.”

Norah (12, 7th grade) had a big year too. She competed in gymnastics, wrestling, softball, and volleyball, and plays the flute in band. After breaking her arm last winter in gymnastics, she set a goal to compete in the Cornhusker State Games—taking home a silver medal. As she entered junior high, she decided to retire from gymnastics to focus on other activities. She loves playing first base and center field in softball, and took home her 9th pin in wrestling this year. Norah also stays busy in Girl Scouts, FFA, FCA, and 4H, where she showed her pigs—Pinky and The Brain—at the county fair. She enjoys shopping, chatting with friends, crafting, and even launched a slime business called Squish & Squash, profiting off her friends for a solid two months. We adore her creativity and her big-hearted spirit. She hopes to be an interior designer one day.

Kyle and I celebrated our 22nd anniversary in June and realized we’re only a little over five years from official empty-nester status—hard to believe. We’re savoring this season we’re in, cheering on the kids from the bleachers or the car. We took our RV (“Big Bertha”) on her first camping trips to Nebraska City and Louisville. Beth and Norah enjoyed a girls getaway to Nashville in July with family, while Kyle and Jaxon went to a Scouts COPE leadership retreat together.

We hope you each find meaningful moments for real connection with others this time of year. Wishing you a warm, wonderful Christmas and New Year with those you love.

Cheers to 2026! 🥂 

Kyle, Beth, Jaxon, Norah and Mango