2025: A Year I Survived Mostly Out of Spite (The Holiday Letter)

Happy Holidays!

Usually, people use these letters to brag about their child’s honor roll status or the fact that they finally ran a marathon without crying. But since this is MY letter, you know the drill: if there wasn’t at least one "wait, what just happened?" moment this year, I probably wasn't actually awake.

The Year in Review: 

January - Dinner with the neighbors - otherwise a gloriously quiet month.

February - Chef J came for a visit from Utah and we had our VERY FIRST Michelin star restaurant experience, which was worth EVERY PENNY.  ("Rooster and Owl" in Washington D.C. - HIGHLY recommend and can't wait to go back!).  Damian learns to WELD. Our last show at Kennedy Center before we revoked our membership (Schmigadoon!) Also - we had a tad bit of snow.

March - Dinner with the Cousins.  Knikki had surgery to remove her "bat wings."  (They were never the source of her superpowers anyway).  High tea at Mount Vernon with Margaret.

April - After slowing taking over the entire "art shed", Damian finally gets a man cave of his own.  Our first visit to Shakespeare Theater Company to see Hugh Bonneville in "Uncle Vanya"  (SO good!)

May - Alex and Jennifer's wedding in Germany and a quick visit to see Wendy, Rowan and Ephrem in Germany. Knikki cuts the tip of her finger off trying to figure out the kitchen mandolin.  (No photo, you're welcome.)

June - We lost our VERY GOOD BOY, Diesel after a valiant fight with cancer.  It was one of the most heartbreaking days of my life, but I feel so incredibly lucky to have been his mama - even though he was technically Damian's dog. 

July - Hibachi with the Flame Team & a farewell to our friend Alex, who will be working overseas for a few years.  Knikki flies to Utah to visit Jonette and her family, her mom, and her nieces & nephews in Heber.  We went to a Krishna temple and fed llamas.  It was fun!

August - Got to see the tribe in Utah for dinner, plus a reunion with some of my favorite people from BYU!  Annual Neighborhood Picnic at Mount Vernon with great friends (and cousins!)  Damian gets a new motorcycle.

September - Visiting friends in Madagascar and taking a safari in Tanzania!  You have to read those blogs separately - I can't even begin to summarize the awesomeness of that trip (nor explain the resulting injuries).  Also, Damian won three wives from the Maasai tribe.

Damian's sister Dani and her husband came for a visit from Florida.

And......introducing HEMI - the newest member of our pack!

October - Knikki meets former teen heartthrob Shaun Cassidy and HE ASKED FOR A HUG.  (NOT joking - I love my life!)

November - Allergy testing proves my hatred of cats is warranted.  Four weekends of teaching glass and attending art shows to sell my wares was exhausting and amazing!

December - I went to a "gender neutral" salon.  Wasn't what I wanted, but can't lie - I still look goooooood.

And Lastly:

Health Update -  I am pleased to report that I have survived 100% of my bad days so far. My medical team continues to be fascinated by me, which is a nice way of saying I’m their favorite dramatic plot twist.

Career & Logistics -  I’ve officially mastered the art of looking professional on a Zoom call while wearing pajama pants that haven't seen a washing machine since the Clinton administration.

My Hope for you this Year - May your 2026 be incredibly boring. No, seriously. I wish you the gift of "nothing happening." I wish you peaceful Mondays, predictable Tuesdays, and a fridge that never makes a weird noise. But if life does decide to throw a curveball your way, I hope you handle it like a pro: with a sharp wit, a deep breath, and the knowledge that you’ve got a story to tell later.

The "Aunt Knikki" Life Lessons of 2025:

     1.  "It’s Okay to Not Be Okay" remains my brand, but this year I’ve added a sub-clause: "It’s also okay to be okay for twenty minutes and then immediately need a nap."

     2. If you can survive a pandemic, a divorce, and a medical journey in a foreign country, you can definitely survive a holiday dinner with that one relative who still doesn't understand how the internet works.

     3. Laughter is the best medicine, though I’ve found that actual medicine is also quite helpful. (Ten out of ten, would recommend both).