Our first family holiday photo was taken the fall of 2012. The kids had met us only 6 months before, so there have been a few changes since then!

JADEN is finishing middle school. His football team again won the Battle of Berkeley tournament, and over last summer he did several football camps, including at UC Berkeley and at San Diego State. He continued his lifeguard certification courses and will be able to work as a lifeguard after his birthday next summer, perhaps at the YMCA during the school year. He’s rocking math and ready for high school at Berkeley High next year.

SHAYLA got her driver’s license at the start of the year. She has senioritis, which she’s been dreaming of for years, but did manage to visit 10 colleges and get all her applications done; I guess the trend is to apply widely these days. She has some acceptances and is waiting for other news, so watch for an announcement about fall 2025! She completed a mental health internship last summer and will have an onsite internship this summer with the same group. Her boyfriend Brandon is also a senior.

JAY has continued his fiction reading, managing to get in just a couple years the same number of books on the New York Times best books of the century list that took David 24 years! Retired from UC Berkeley, Jay did the Executive Coaching Institute intensive seminar in April (including performing a scene from Death of a Salesman, bravo!) and has been doing curriculum development and consulting with Berkeley Exec Ed. He continues to get to the gym, research the family tree, and archive all our cultural consumption.

DAVID continues creating and supporting websites, working with amazing tech partner Gwyn Fisher. He’s reading fiction, though often forgets much of it and has been wondering if it still counts. Surely yes, it’s a pleasure and must be having some effect. Also the book covers look great on the website. He was excited to support Jen Corn’s successful run for Berkeley school board. And while he’s late to the Wordle party, he is currently deeply committed.

A few of our favorite reads and views follow, and some photos. We wish you joyful holidays and community, connection, and comfort in the new year!
David Jay Shayla & Jaden