YEAR
what a
In true Shellumpter fashion, 2025 was almost nothing like we planned! The year quickly became dominated by the planning and renovation of Pen y Bryn (Pen-uh-Brin), the house Jenn's parents purchased in Nelson County in early March.
Pen y Bryn is in Welsh, meaning 'Top of the Hill', and it sure is - we kept the name from the previous owner in honor of our own Welsh family connection. Going back through the camera roll, it would be hard to overstate how much the work at PyB took over this year, and you can see more in the section below, but long story short we can't wait to welcome you to visit and splash in the new pool in 2026.
In non-PyB news, we also welcomed our newest fur family member Renfri. She is a Golden Retriever - Australian Shepherd cross, and she might be the sweetest dog ever. Even the cats tolerate her!
Our year is culimnating with an epic Heller family trip to Belize, where we are very excited to unwind and spend quality time together.
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brandon
farm
Back to being an architect this year! Jenn has been overseeing the work at Pen y Bryn, and also executing much of it - 3 more bathrooms await her tile work after Christmas.
2025 marked the official launch of Jenn's flower farm, Dogwood House Floral, which saw some success with farmers markets and flower arranging events at a local winery. She also spent time freelancing for an awesome wedding florist.
In addition to the farm, Jenn continued to work on her paper flower business and produced some new work she is very proud of! In particular, her painting was collected at the opening gala for the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont Art Festival, and is a direction she'd like to go further with her work.
October marked birthday #40, celebrated at PyB covered in tile thinset and sawdust. Not many photos of Jenn this year, but we can work on that in a calmer 2026.
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owen
jenn
Brandon's 2025 was largely wrapped up in the planning at PyB. From the moment he and Jenn reviewed the listing (during date night, which was supposed to be monthly but after PyB became... well, I think that was the last date night) he has been full of ideas for how to create the most fun atmosphere possible. He also spent 3 full days on a 12' ladder cutting in the paint for the 2 story great room.
He has continued in his role at Serco with some new certifications, and finally got to build his new gaming computer this year.
Brandon is very excited for the upcoming trip to Belize, to have the chance to try out his epic new waterproof action camera. He is also looking forward to not spending as much time on a ladder, and more time poolside, in 2026.
Brandon
emma
brandon
Owen is now 10, and it feels like every time we turn around he seems more grown up. He is in the 5th grade at his elementary school, and this is his year to be a big man on campus before middle school starts next year.
This year he is really into gluten-free baking, and continues his obsession with Lego, Minecraft, and puzzles of all sorts. He had a great session at his summer camp, enjoying riding horses, and fishing. He also took a step back to playing soccer, joining the rec league for the fall season after some time off.
Owen does help out on the farm when pressed, and was a project manager of sorts as we assembled the greenhouse in August. He continues to read everything that isn't nailed down, and is very excited to be halfway through The Two Towers with Gaffer (Jenn's dad).
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Emma is now 6, and we recently got this feedback from her kindergarten Montessori teacher conference: "Emma is certainly our spare adult."
2025 was the year of KPop Demon Hunters for Emma - she (and we) have watched the movie countless times and will stop whatever she's doing if she hears one of the songs start. If you're not familiar with the phenomenon, it is a movie about a trio of Korean pop stars who are secretly saving the world by uniting people through insanely catchy music. Its actually really great.
Emma started dance this fall in a ballet/jazz combination class, and so far, so good! She can't get enough time running around with the dogs, usually in the mud, started playing big kid soccer. Emma loves a craft project, and the house is covered in her drawings as well as stickers. She also got her ears pierced!
Emma
family time
Emma
As you might expect, this section is mostly going to be about Renfri (Kerrigan and Raynor say hello, goodbye, nothing to see here.)
Dex, at 4 years old, has actually finally mellowed out - so we got him a friend. Renfri will finish at roughly the same size as Dex, and he has mostly loved having a playmate around. The two of them seem to be a great match in energy level as well as cuteness.
Renfri is now about 5 months old, and is a wonderful combination of the loving Golden Retriever and the smart and trainable Aussie. The kids adore her, and she has settled in well to a pampered princess life. The one big issue that may haunt our decision in the future is that Renfri seems to think dahlia tubers are food....
Kerrigan, Raynor, DEX, & RENFRI
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- Halloween featuring Derpy Tiger, Rumi, and Capt. Jack Sparrow
- Heller family wedding in Canada
- Screen porch hangs, fire pits, birthday parties, and projects!
- Look, Jenn finally put in the actual gate 3 years later! No more chicken wire keeping Dex in!
- Pen y Bryn photos - starting with the celebratory champagne toast, a few photos of the house. Goodbye superflous asphalt, hello in-progress pool with gorgeous Blue Ridge views. We took much of the house back to the studs, added 3 bathrooms, and will convert the garage into a pool cabana bar. Come visit!
- And in perhaps Jenn's greatest achievement to date: holiday photos were taken, edited, selected, AND cards were ordered on the same afternoon. Never expect this level of productivity again.
Family Time &
Pen y bryn
Jenn
family time
The accidental flower farm had an up and down year, starting out strong with lots of hardy annuals overwintered, and successful spring markets and events. Jenn even acquired a top of the line BCS two wheel tractor from the nicest couple on Facebook Marketplace.
Before Pen y Bryn was on the schedule, Jenn ordered a dream glass greenhouse, and had more land cleared for more sunlight and usable space. Then PyB happened, the excavators got way behind schedule, and the greenhouse sat in the way in the garage for months. Late August we got a break in the heat, and the whole family got out and built the greenhouse over a week.
Though the farm limped across the finish line this year, we've learned a lot and we're ready to go for a more streamlined 2026.
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Maybe too many words this year, but none as important as these:
We hope you and yours have a safe and happy holiday season, and that your 2026 gives you space for joy, friendship, and compassion.
With much love,
Jenn, Brandon, Owen, & Emma