Month of December 2025

December was all about the holidays.

We started the month by getting rid of the Thanksgiving decorations. Charlie wanted to run them over with the car, so we did.

We set up the Christmas Tree in stages. First the tree + train, then the lights and ornaments Amanda and I prefer, then Charlie’s additional ornament picks, rearranged daily throughout the month.

Charlie and I went to the NYBG Train Show with Jeremy. It was amazing!

I turned a French rolling pin for our friend Marie out of a log (spalted maple) from their property.

I also turned a few Christmas tree ornaments out of the same log.

Charlie helped us with Christmas cards this year. He drew vehicles on at least half of them! It was fun having him customize them. It was the first year he’s helped.

There was snow and sledding. It was the coldest, snowiest December we’ve had so far living in Peekskill.

Walks in the woods.

Winter festivities at Charlie’s school. Charlie wanted to help pass out food at the solstice party, so we volunteered at the bake sale table.

Christmas parties, too!

We spent Christmas in Ohio and there were lots of family festivities. Here’s Charlie and Nora clowning at Great Gram’s:

A new birdhouse ornament from Dad, this year with a fly shop theme:

On the way back we stopped at Erin and Tyler’s house in Pittsburgh. Charlie and Gus were fast friends and played together the entire time. I wish we lived closer.

We closed out the year by baking some bread on NYE and then Amanda and I watched the new Knives Out movie.