Welcome to our 3rd annual AI-assisted holiday newsletter:
Warmest holiday wishes from our family to yours! It’s been a year full of growth, celebrations, hard work, heartfelt moments, and the biggest joy of all—welcoming our sweet Kora. Here’s a look back at our 2025 highlights!
We started the year bundled up in the snow, watching Wren and our neighbor Nigel play together while we shared the happy news that our family was growing. Soon after, Aunt Mary and Uncle Jim came to visit, and we finally put the finishing touches on the sunroom. John hit the big 4–0 in February, and spring rolled in with sunshine, playdates, and Robin’s glow-in-the-dark yoga adventures. Robin, Dottie, and Kathy spent many sweet hours stitching a bees-and-wildflowers quilt for baby Kora as we prepared for her arrival.
April brought a visit from Aunt Laura, strawberry picking with Wren, a family trip to the zoo, and a lovely Easter gathering at Robin’s parents’ house. May came with double the celebrations as Wren turned two at the beach house with his “Two Fast” car-themed birthday, and Robin—very pregnant and glowing—turned 36. Around the same time, John and his dad finished our fireplace renovation, making our home even cozier.
As June arrived, Robin had a nesting party surrounded by friends and family who helped us prepare for life with a newborn. We took maternity photos at the local science center and cherished our last moments as a family of three. Then, on July 13th, our sweet Kora arrived. Wren was over the moon to finally meet his baby sister and embraced his big brother role with gentle pride. We spent those early weeks in the blissful newborn bubble, eventually making our first outing as a family of four to the RDU observation deck.
The summer ended with Wren moving to his big boy bed so Kora could have his crib. Early autumn brought a fun 90s-themed 40th birthday party for Robin’s friend Rae, and Wren began potty training—earning his big boy underwear in November. We settled into new routines as a family of four, enjoying cozy days at home, a trip to the pumpkin patch, and Wren’s second trick-or-treating adventure. Our costumes followed a “Papa John’s” theme, with the kids dressed as pizzas, Robin as a pizza chef, and John, naturally, as Papa John. We also celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary on October 29th.
November carried both joy and heartache. We said goodbye to our dear cat Pabu after his battle with cancer, a loss that still weighs heavily on our hearts. Later in the month, we visited the Carolina Renaissance Festival where Wren was delighted by the bird show but absolutely enchanted by the mermaids—he would have stayed in their tent all day if we’d let him.
Wishing you and your loved ones a peaceful, joyful holiday season and a bright new year ahead.
— With love,
The Skarbeks
