For many reasons, 2024 was a remarkable year in our family, but the highlight was Steel and Taylor’s wedding in August. We are so grateful for Taylor and her family, who have become dear friends.
Leroy and I were fortunate to travel extensively this year, including checking off a few Bucket List items. In April, we traveled on a pilgrimage to Poland, Prague, and Germany, highlighted by a visit to Auschwitz. This trip was a dream come true and much better than I anticipated. We traveled with my brother Curtis and his wife, Linda. We also met new (and forever) friends, Stuart and Deb, from the UK.
In July, we attended the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana. We attended daily Mass and heard some of our favorite speakers there, including Fr. Mike Schmitz, Jonathan Roomie, Bishop Robert Barron and Cardinal Timothy Dolan. We were also inspired by speakers who were new to us, including Msgr. James Shea and many others.
We also had our annual Granny and Grandpa Get-A-Way with the kids. We returned to Angels Camp and spent most of our time in the pool or playing games in the room, which was always their favorite part.
In 2024, we traveled (together) to Pacific Grove, Europe, Santa Barbara, Klamath Falls, Indianapolis, San Francisco, Angels Camp (with grandkids) and Folsom. Leroy also traveled to Wisconsin, Texas, Seattle, and South Carolina for work, Portland, Oregon, with the football team and still made two hunting trips to Montana for the Elk and Deer hunts.
My time of watching the grandkids ended in August when Charlotte started school. We still see them regularly, but not on scheduled days. When saying goodbye each time, Jameson wants to know when we’ll see him again.
Everyone who knows me will say that I love a schedule. My days are filled with daily trips to the gym, weekly lunches with Joan and other friends, monthly Book Club gatherings and Moms’ Dinners (for the last 28 years.) I have been teaching a bit at All Saints University Parish in Turlock (our home parish) with the OCIA and Family Catechesis. I didn’t realize how much I missed doing this over the years, and it’s been nice to do it again with a limited commitment.
Leroy celebrated fourteen years at Rico, Pfitzer, Pires and Associates and was the “Producer of the Year.” He was also named “Best of 209 for Insurance Agents.” He keeps busy with work and visiting clients but finds time to continue coaching high school football (19 years,) golf and the annual Elk and Deer Hunt trips to Montana.
We look forward to new adventures and experiences in 2025 and wish you health and happiness in the New Year!
2 responses to “2024 in Review”
I have to admit, I have come to look forward to these emails so much! In fact usually the day or two before they come I start to look for them in anticipation! I love how much you share and keep everyone up-to-date, it makes me feel like I’m still a part of your life and I desperately want that to be so. I hear you talk a lot about going to Montana for hunting and I’m really hoping next summer to go to Montana and Idaho to visit family… Perhaps one of these years we can plan some thing together because I would love to see you and I would really really love for my kids to finally meet the famous aunt Kelli and uncle Leroy! Again thank you so much for always sharing these -I look forward to them so much! Wishing you as wonderful of a year in2025 as we had in2024! ❤️
Thank you Jenni! It’s great to hear from you! Health and happiness in 2025!