As 2024 comes to an end, the news is filled with stories of war, a variety of viruses, the ongoing climate crisis, the death of a beloved president and the upcoming inauguration of a ___fill in the blank___ president. Meanwhile, we continue to be grateful that we live in peace, we’re well-fed, safe from war, in a home that is warm in winter and cool in summer, and live amongst some really nice neighbors.
Leslie: 2024 has mostly been a quiet year for us. We had a stay-at-home observance of our 24th anniversary. We kept in touch with our California family by phone or FaceTime. Exceptions were John’s brother Al and wife Sheila came for a visit in August and our daughter Whitney and boyfriend Dylan were here for Christmas. Rachel will hopefully be able to come for a visit early in the new year. We were able to see many Michigan family members in person. We met my newest grandnephew, Jensen and celebrated my grand niece’s 2nd birthday. And my mom and her husband (who live just ten miles away) were with us for Christmas Day.
John: I served as a supply pastor for nine different churches this year. I continue to play clarinet in the Saginaw Classic Legacy Band - 5 concerts in 2024. I’m out in my workshop most days making something. In spite of a broken leg, with help from other riders and many donors, I helped to raise over $15,000 in this year’s Great Cycle Challenge – supporting the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. I also enjoyed the Dodgers’ World Series victory. One major sad note this year was the unexpected death of my middle brother, Paul, just a couple months shy of his 70th birthday.
Rachel is entering her 9th year as a cardiac nurse at Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks, California. She spends free time planning trips to Mammoth and completed her first HYROX fitness strength competition in May 2024.
Whitney continues to teach yoga in Ventura and loves relaxing at the beach and enjoying the beautiful nature around her. When she’s not outside or at the yoga studio, you can find her in the garden with her cat, Gypsy, or in the kitchen baking.
May the year ahead find you grateful for the people and experiences in your life.
Leslie & John
Leslie: 2024 has mostly been a quiet year for us. We had a stay-at-home observance of our 24th anniversary. We kept in touch with our California family by phone or FaceTime. Exceptions were John’s brother Al and wife Sheila came for a visit in August and our daughter Whitney and boyfriend Dylan were here for Christmas. Rachel will hopefully be able to come for a visit early in the new year. We were able to see many Michigan family members in person. We met my newest grandnephew, Jensen and celebrated my grand niece’s 2nd birthday. And my mom and her husband (who live just ten miles away) were with us for Christmas Day.
John: I served as a supply pastor for nine different churches this year. I continue to play clarinet in the Saginaw Classic Legacy Band - 5 concerts in 2024. I’m out in my workshop most days making something. In spite of a broken leg, with help from other riders and many donors, I helped to raise over $15,000 in this year’s Great Cycle Challenge – supporting the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. I also enjoyed the Dodgers’ World Series victory. One major sad note this year was the unexpected death of my middle brother, Paul, just a couple months shy of his 70th birthday.
Rachel is entering her 9th year as a cardiac nurse at Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks, California. She spends free time planning trips to Mammoth and completed her first HYROX fitness strength competition in May 2024.
Whitney continues to teach yoga in Ventura and loves relaxing at the beach and enjoying the beautiful nature around her. When she’s not outside or at the yoga studio, you can find her in the garden with her cat, Gypsy, or in the kitchen baking.
May the year ahead find you grateful for the people and experiences in your life.
Leslie & John
Photo gallery of some of the year's highlights...
A few video highlights from 2024...
|
John's sister-in-law, Lyn, sent 40 daffodil bulbs shortly after Jason's death. They are his memorial garden each spring - next to my wood shop.
|
In July, John joined 300 of his closest friends at Comerica Park in Detroit at a 'take over the park' event. We lost in the bottom of the tenth, but we did see Shoei hit a home run.
|
|
Under construction.
|
Leslie's mom, Barb, gave us a short dulcimer concert the day after Christmas.
|