Part two - 2025....

After the Club World Cup, I took some time off.  Went back to Orlando to pick up Gatsby who had been staying with Sara & Ben.  He was very happy to see me, but he did have a great time.  Then we started a big road trip to see all of the family.  We stopped in Atlanta and Knoxville.  Then we surprised Mom and Dad in Ohio for a few days before heading to Nashville to meet up with the other Grubbs.  It was a well needed break and a great time with the family.  

My immediate arrival back in Florida

Atlanta Creek Exploring

Nashville Full Grubb Family Times

Malcolm and I over some different times

After the Nashville family trip, Gatsby and I took Mom and Dad to the mountains in Georgia.  We had a lovely relaxing time.  It was actually a fabulous wine region which we definitely enjoyed.  

After the trip, I headed back to Miami to get back to work.  Celebrated my birthday, had some fun dog days out and started to get ready for a big fall trip to Cuidad de Mexico, Toronto and LA.  Elizabeth and I spent a bit more time in LA with her husband, Kevin.  It was so much fun. 

My birthday at work

Post-work birthday drinks and the best Philly Cheesesteak egg rolls ever.  

Trivia Night for my Birthday (no different to other trivia nights!)

Dog Days Out to a Farm with our friends Jess & Broxie

To an indoor doggie play center and bakery for Halloween

To brunch for a Halloween Costume Contest

Connor came to visit us so we could see the Phillies

And it was the day that there was Philly Karen...

And separately, Gatsby and I went to see the Marlins and the Mets

Mexico City

Bellas Artes

Diego Rivera

Toronto

Lots of fun times in LA...Oscar Museum

Out and about...

Dinner in Manhattan Beach

Tour of Paramount Studios

Hollywood Cemetery

Site visit to Sofi Stadium (I was really impressed with the stadium regardless of what I look like in this photo!)

Got back and managed to fit in a visit to see Connor in St Pete.  We went to the beach, and I got to see the Ringing House and Museum in Sarasota.  

Out for drinks with Connor

The Ringling House

Day out at the Beach

Elizabeth and I had a surprise visit from Ross so we took him to my fav place to eat in Wynnwood, KYU.

As it got closer to the end of the year, I decided my time at FIFA had come to an end so I wrapped up and starting driving back to South Carolina.  

Meeting with the FIFA Ceremonies Ladies

Elizabeth and I watching the Final Draw in the Pub, while the rest of our team was in DC

The last of us left before Christmas

Gatsby's photo with Santa

I did get to go see the final of the MLS at the stadium in Ft Lauderdale with Gatsby's dog sitter.  It was super fun.  Of course, Miami won.  Very cool to see.  

Gatsby's last photo as his favorite daycare

We packed up and drove to Pawleys Island for Christmas.  We met Mom and Dad there.  We also had the Brookes family join us just after Christmas.  We had a murder mystery New Year's Eve party and we managed to see the lights on display at Brookgreen Gardens.  We also went into Charleston to see some warships for David.  Lots of games were played.  We even made pizza in Fran's pizza oven.

The Murder Party Photo

In our Christmas Present from the Brookes

Gatsby with his new toy from the Brookes as well

At Brookgreen's Night of A Thousand Candles

That basically wraps up 2025.  Even though I decided FIFA wasn't for me, I got work lined up in 2026 and moved into the beach house for a quite a while.  More to come in the next post for the start of 2026.  For the curious, we are no longer in Pawleys Island, but we did have quite a few visitors while we were there.

Sarah and Gatsby