2024 Year in Review

Here's our year in review:

• I read 50 books, just shy of my usual goal of 52, and down from 74 last year.
• Kids had 3 delays, 6 snow days, and 1 "poop" day from school. 1 of those delays, 3 of the snow days, and the "poop" day were already this fall! That's 4 of the allotted 5 snow days for the school year and we haven't even hit the snowiest months!
• We went sledding two more times before Papa and Mima moved away from the best sledding hill in Pulpit Rock Park.
• February, March (Regional), April (State), May, and December concerts for Jenna with TCA wind ensemble and jazz bands. February pre-contest, May, and December concerts for Kellen. February jazz night, March (Regional - one of the best performances and scores of his career), and April (State) concerts for Kevin. Plus, Kevin's final concert in May before no longer teaching.
• Jenna was one of the drum majors for marching band again this year and LOVED it! 4 Football game pep band/half time performances. Legend, Big Cat, Regionals, and State competitions. 2A State Champions again!! 4 years in a row! Countless hours of practice! Plus pep band at one playoff game and the State Championship game. It's been such a joy to watch Jenna do what she loves!
• We loved watching Grant play football again! It was awesome to be there when they won the State Championship!!
• We loved watching the first movie that Garrison has worked on - The Forge!
• Kellen tried track for the first time and played on the intramural basketball team again. And is still enjoying playing French Horn.
• We were able to visit Boulder, Ft Collins, and Greeley (a few times for band). Ft Worth & Waco (Baylor College visit). London, Paris, Crans Montana, Rotenburg, and Salzburg (Kevin, Sara, and Jenna). Keystone, Winter Park, and Wichita. And, Lubbock and Grand Junction for college visits (Sara and Jenna).
• Kellen went to Summer Excitement for the first time and was crowd surfed!
• We went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo one last time before deciding not to renew our membership this year. We went to Focus on the Family a few times and did lots of scavenger hunts. We played mini golf many times. We enjoyed some hiking. We had some fun game nights - jackbox is still a favorite.
• Kellen got his braces off!
• Kevin and I celebrated 25 years of marriage.
• Kevin finished his teaching career and started his first year at State Farm. I completed five years of working in the NICU (8 years at St. Francis) and completed 4 years of school nurse consulting.
• Jenna and Kellen had two piano recitals.
• Jenna played in the All City Honor Band, CU Honor Band, All State Honor Band, and CSU Honor Band.
• Jenna was accepted to the All City High School Honor Band, All State Orchestra, CU Honor Band, and All State Honor band for upcoming 2025 performances.
• We were mostly well except for Sara breaking her ankle in June in Switzerland and Kellen breaking his wrist in December in PE. Jenna had her wisdom teeth removed in July. Both kids got glasses.

Good days and bad days and blessings throughout. We have so much to be thankful for!

Christmas

Saturday, December 21st - I had to work on Christmas Day this year, and we thought Kevin would probably have to work everyday BUT Christmas Day. So, we planned to celebrate on Saturday, December 21st. We started celebrating by sleeping late, stockings, and presents.

Then, we enjoyed a Chinese food lunch, Wicked movie, a failed attempt at seeing the Broadmoor gingerbread, Windjammer Christmas lights, leftovers and snacks for dinner, and jackbox games. It was a fun day together.

Sunday, December 22nd - Whitelaw Christmas! We enjoyed a fondue lunch, fun stockings, white elephant gifts, fun games, and gingerbread house decorating!

Monday, December 23rd - Baking Day. Kellen and I made cinnamon rolls and peppernuts. Jenna helped a little bit.

Tuesday, December 24th - A bonus day to celebrate together. Lunch at Chuy's, Christmas Eve service, Elf and The Very First Noel Movies, trying figgy pudding, and some jackbox games.

Sunday, December 29th - Kellen and I had really been wanting to go to Ice! at the Gaylord because it was Polar Express this year. But, it was too expensive. And then, tickets were discounted to a more reasonable price after Christmas! And, when we invited Papa and Mima to join us, they wanted to pay! We were so excited to go and it was an amazing display! A highlight of our Christmas!

Monday, December 30th - Back to work for Kevin. Laundry and groceries for the rest of us.

Tuesday, December 31st - It was fun to watch Michigan beat Alabama. Then we celebrated Garrison's 21st birthday. Jenna, Kellen, and I streamed Wicked and tried to time it for the last note to be right at midnight. It didn't really work out as we planned, but we made it work, and had a fun time! We were even able to see the fireworks on Pikes Peak even though it was a little cloudy.