End of 2025 Reflections
The end of 2025 came faster than I ever expected. We got the news that our condo is almost done, and any day now we could move. We are so excited we can barely stand it! All I do lately is online shop, dream about home décor, and imagine finally having our own space. We are definitely ready to move, be closer to work, and to start this new chapter.
Here’s a look at all the random, wonderful, chaotic things we were up to during the last two months of the year.
On Thanksgiving morning, we joined our friend Jess for a Turkey Trot before our PM shifts. The morning weather was perfect for a run, though we weren’t totally sure the entry fee was worth it. The race was hilariously unorganized, no turkey to chase, no timer, and barely even a finish line. When we ran through the “end,” the check-in tent had already collapsed, and there wasn’t a soul in sight. We just hopped in the car and drove home, laughing at how unofficial it all felt.
Gavin also turned 29! His friend Chase gave him a matching polo from their favorite golf course. The staff in the kitchen just paused long enough to sing " Happy Birthday " and blow out a candle. He also played in a pickleball tournament! I had so much fun celebrating him and cheering him!
“Stranger Things” started releasing Season 5 episodes across the rest of the year, so of course, we had to have a watch party. Anita transformed her house into a Stranger Things theme, and if you’ve seen the show, you’d totally get it. We even had Eggo waffles as our snack, another perfect nod to the series.
This year, we celebrated Thanksgiving at home, just the two of us. Since I missed Thanksgiving last year, I went all out cooking half portions of every dish, baked in tiny 8x8 pans. Somehow it still ended up being so much food. I started prepping two days ahead, and we had enough leftovers to last me breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a full week… and then some.
We ate at our little table and then headed out to see Wicked: For Good in theaters. Honestly, the perfect Thanksgiving weekend. Wicked was also sooo amazing!
Mya came to visit! I had to work most of the time, but I did get to join one adventure which was a beautiful trip to Stone Dam. I think Gavin and Mya filled the week with tons of activities. It's always great to have a vist from family!
Pickleball continues to be a highlight of my week. I started playing with some older ladies on Mondays, and one of them wanted to match paddles with me. So now we’re twinners on the court. We look good, what can I say!
We planned another SWAT activity for young women one night. Sisters With A Treat, an idea my Mom came up with back when she was Young Women's president. The only challenge with doing this in Hawaii is that houses are nearly impossible to find. Everyone lives on a hidden back lot off a random side street, with little or no house numbers. We were out way longer than we probably needed to be, but that’s the fun of SWAT: you never know when you’ll be knocking on someone’s door. It’s always one of our most successful activities.
We had a lovely Favorite Things party with the girls. I suggested Hawaiian Haystacks for dinner because who doesn’t love those? Apparently, quite a few people… because after all the "So yummy!” comments while we were serving, there was definitely some behind-the-scenes backlash when I stepped out of the room. A few of us were shocked that some people dislike the haystacks!
For the gift exchange, I brought a shower lamp, a Food Nanny baguette, and French salt. I received a fun game and a paint-by-number kit. I love seeing the variety of gifts everyone brings.
Our annual work party was huge this year; it was a tri-hotel celebration with all the Marriott Vacation Club properties and staff: housekeeping, front desk, concierge, sales, everyone. The theme was Putting on the Ritz. I scored an amazing dress from Old Navy, while some people went all-out with feather boas. My favorite part was the rotating video camera they had set up. We kept running back to the platform to dance because it was just so fun! Great Photos, food, friends, fun, such a great night.
We attended a concierge night at a brand-new luau at the Hilton Garden Inn. They have the best view I was blown away! The seating is on a hill overlooking the ocean and coconut trees. Incredible, it's moments like these that I treasure the island. It's hard to explain some of the beautiful things I've seen. I was glad we sat at the very back table because we honestly couldn’t stop chatting all night. After seeing so many luaus, I don’t really enjoy sitting and watching anymore, so being tucked away felt perfect. I was there for the coconut cake!
Christmas was different this year. We didn't get around to decorating our tree, no festive food, and not many Christmas shows. One thing we did manage to do was get our Christmas card made! Gavin had an idea to take the picture with us in a coconut tree! Other than that, life was just so busy!
Then, early Saturday morning on the 20th, we got the call from Loana that Bob would be going to Heaven soon. Gavivn said his goodbyes, and we waited together, and the call came just after 7am. Bob was such a fighter, and now he gets to rest. We were sure glad we got to see him in Hawaii just in October! It was a sad morning, and the distance from family made the day seem extra long.
We got Gavin on the earliest flight to Colorado to be with his mom and Gus. While he was gone, I spent the week with Chase and Anita. It was definitely a different Christmas. It was sad not being with Gav, but we still had so many blessings to be grateful for. I was so happy that so many of Gavin’s cousins traveled to Colorado to support the family. They had a full house for the holidays, which made my heart feel better. I was watched the first presidency Christmas devotional I loved this thought shared by Sharon H Porter: During our lives there will be times when the sun may go down on our hopes and dreams. The sun may go down when we experience loss or physical and emotional challenges. But because Jesus Christ came to earth and rose on the third day, triumphant over sin and death, there will be no permanent darkness at the going down of the sun. We can seek and find His life-giving light." It's true that Jesus Christ will offer that light and that families are forever!
When Gavin returned, we camped at Polihale with friends. The night was perfect — not a drop of the rain we had been getting for weeks. For New Year’s Eve, we watched one last sunset at the harbor, then played Right Left Center with our friends. Callie took home the stack of cash.
And just like that, the year came to an end. Gavin had to work at 5am, so we didn't stay up to ring in the New Year! Unfortunately, we didn't get much sleep because the fireworks were going crazy all night, which makes the dogs in the neighborhood go crazy! Again, we are super excited about our new place. Goodbye 2025.
