Holiday '25

We had our first Christmas/holidays dinner on Saturday the 13th at Dawit's place. Sarah came back from college and went straight from the airport.

A few days later, we hosted a Hanukkah dinner party at our house. Hanukkah came early in December 2025, starting on December 14th and ending on the 22nd. We invited a few friends over on the 14th.

On Friday the 19th, we went to the Lowell hotel on the upper east side. We met Jenn, Dawit, and Kurt, it was cozy and perfect for starting off the holiday season.

Before we got the picture of us sitting, Jenne pressed video instead of photo.

I baked a lot of cookies, bread, and cakes. during this holiday break.

On the 23rd, Sarah Pearlman and Isaac came over.

We had a Christmas Eve dinner with Grace, Paul, Elizabeth, and Tata at our place. David made duck confit. I made chocolate mousse. It was nice to spend the Christmas holiday in the city.

On Christmas Day, we went out for Thai food at Elephant Ear in Hell's Kitchen. We were surprised that so many people were at the restaurant on Christmas Day.

New Year's Eve parties: We went to Jenn's for dinner and then to our neighbor Fang Tao Hal. This was the first time in a long time we stayed up past midnight.

At Jenn's dinner party with Penny, Dawit, and Kurt. I made tiramisu and brought one to Jenn's party and one to Fang Tao.

At Fang Tao and Hal's place.

The celebration kept going after New Year's Day; we invited a few friends over for sushi dinner on Friday, January 2nd. Since it was Friday, Sarah Pearlman brought 2 challahs for Shabbat dinner. She said a few words, and we passed a glass of red wine around the table, then we had challah bread, then sushi. We ended our meal with matcha cake with strawberries and whipped cream.

The next day, Saturday, January 3rd, Paul and Grace treated us to a king crab dinner at Dimsum Palace in Chinatown. We ate a lot of crab from that one giant crab plus so many dishes afterwards.

Morning run to see Christmas trees and window decorations around the city.

We ended the holiday season with dinner at Sushi by M. Sarah left New York and went back to Boulder for her second semester.

We had so much fun getting together with family and friends during this holiday season. It was a nice and relaxing holiday. We are all ready for 2026. I don't have any New Year's resolutions this year, only to keep doing what I've been doing and stay healthy. Be happy and take it one day at a time. CHEERS!!!!

Benjamin and Moose are also looking forward to 2026.