Happy Holidays, or as Taylor so aptly puts it, tis the damn season. We’ve had another full year of adventures, so grab a mug of something warm and join us as we recap 2024.
We kicked off the year with my first-ever mountain ski trip to Park City, Utah. It was all fun and games until the altitude sickness hit hard, turning the slopes into more of a scenic tour for me than a sporting event. I made the most of après ski while Don tore up the mountain, but I was lucky to bounce back in time for a beginner ski lesson and a few trips down the bunny hills.
Don’s annual ski trip took him to Breckenridge in March, where he hit the slopes with friends for a mix of skiing, snowboarding, and, plenty of whiskey-fueled debauchery. Soon after, we swapped snow for sunshine on a visit to California to spend time with the Hartman family. Highlights included a scenic family hike, wine-tasting adventures at local wineries, and Don being treated like a celebrity by our adoring niece and nephew.
In April, we took a much-needed trip to Cancun with friends, where we celebrated in style with sun, sand, margaritas, and The Tortured Poets Department. The less said about the questionable tequila shots, the better, but it was a trip that will certainly go down in history as a highlight of the year.
In June, Alissa started a new job and Don took another trip to Colorado to visit his friend Mike, where they packed in some fun outdoor adventures like mountain biking and disc golfing, and topped it off with a concert to see a favorite band, Gatsby’s American Dream.
July had us welcoming a new addition to the family: Don’s newest prized possession: a velocity blue Ford Ranger. After months of deliberation, he finally pulled the trigger, and now the truck and Don are inseparable. While he took joy rides with the windows down, Alissa was busy in the garden. This year’s harvest included various peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, lavender, sunflowers, and the debut of rhubarb, strawberries, and mini melons—because why not grow tiny fruit for maximum cuteness?
We wrapped up end of summer with a mix of fun activities, including a visit to Michigan to see family, trips to the beach, bike rides, and a Brewers game. After all that, we ended the summer with our beloved Michigan State tailgate tradition, complete with questionable football commentary and plenty of food and fun to go around. Fall brought a few welcomed visits from family and several Chicago friends!
As for the furballs, Maeby has, as expected, continued her reign as queen of the couch. She remains the world’s laziest cat and continues to rotate naps in her favorite spots including the couch, bathroom rug, and tucked in between our pillows on the bed. Dolly and Maeby continue to balance their tumultuous relationship, but have formed an alliance against a new enemy: the litter robot.
Dolly has grown up quite a bit since last year – both physically (at 75.2 lbs) and in maturity. Now a frequent flier at doggy daycare, Dolly has made lots of friends and quite the impression on daycare staff, as noted by the highlights in her “report cards”:
- “queen of the playset”
- “had so much fun playing wrestling”
- “had the best time wrestling today!”
- “chased and wrestled all day long”
- “So. Much. ENERGY!”
We can only wonder what her favorite daycare activities are.
As we reflect on 2024, we are reminded of the joy in small moments, the importance of family & friends, and the value of keeping the margarita glasses full. Here’s to another year of adventure and laughter. Wishing you all a holiday season full of love, warmth, and maybe just one more tequila shot for good measure.
With love,
The Hartman Family
Alissa (35), Don (37), Maeby (12.5), Dolly (2.5)
Merry Christmas Baby ! Love this and love and miss you guys !