View Online | Sign Up | Advertise

Friends,

We don't often talk about our family lives, but this week we thought we'd honor the spirit of the holiday season with a special family update from each of the Brians. We hope you enjoy!

The Feroldis

2025 was the first year my family of 5 ventured to Europe. We all loved it and plan on heading back in 2026.

We started in Paris, which is an "adult" city, but we still found plenty of fun family things to do. Our favorites were indoor skydiving, this escape room (the best I've ever seen), and the Museum of Illusion.

We then took the Chunnel to London. It was awesome! There's so much to do in London, but our favorite things were this bike tour, Borough Market for lunch (I recommend the black Thai coconut ice cream), and the Chelsea stadium tour (even if you're not a Chelsea fan).

My kids are in their early teens phase, so I'm painfully aware that there are only a few years left before they leave the nest. We plan to travel internationally every year from here on out to make the most of it.

Our family bucket list includes Iceland, Mexico, Bermuda, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Portugal, Japan, Slovenia, Norway, the Azores, Greece, & Turkey. Have a suggestion to add to the list? I'd love to hear it. Reply and let me know!

The Stoffels

As you've seen me write about in these pages, my fondest memories as a kid have to do with going to Brewers games with my dad and brothers.

In the past, my daughter Lucy and I have been avid fans. But this year, my son Oliver and wife Ali jumped on the bandwagon. In fact, they may have eclipsed me in their fandom.

While the season didn't end the way we wanted, that's secondary to the fact that we all spent a few invested hours together nearly every day of the summer and fall. As my kids get older, I'm well aware that this -- right now -- will be the "Good old days" I'll be yearning for in a few decades.

To top it off, a reader of this newsletter (thanks, August!) actually works for the Brewers and treated us to a game together (see picture above) in September.

It's a great approach to investing...and life.

The Withers

It's been a good year for the Withers household -- as long as you aren't judging by portfolio returns!

In February, my wife, Tracy, and I visited Miami for her birthday (that's the picture on the right). In April, we welcomed Phineas, our first grandbaby, into the world. In September, I got to see my favorite 80s pop singer, Howard Jones, in concert. Over Thanksgiving week, we traveled to Playa Del Carmen to visit the Aztec ruins.

And lastly, my parents moved late last year from Florida to minutes away from our home in Chapel Hill, NC. I've enjoyed spending time golfing this year with my dad and visiting with them.

Wishing you investing success in 2026 and beyond!