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2024 In Review
The Marsh household took full advantage of what 2024 had to offer this past year, exploring Michigan and enjoying the outdoors. Even in winter we took advantage of the weather for snowshoeing, sledding, snowtubing, hockey, ice fishing, camping, and even building a quinze snow fort at North Campus. Scouting was also in full force in the first half of the year including a Pinewood Derby, overnighting on a submarine, a cycling trip, fishing outings, hiking at Grand Ledge, kayaking, and a week at Camp Teetonkah. Spring also saw us down in Orlando with Dianna’s parents to join our nephews for their first ever trip to Disney! We also joined the nephews and Geoff’s parents in Webster, NY to view the solar eclipse in the path of totality. While a bit of a bust, with cloud cover so thick you couldn’t even locate the sun, the total darkness was still an amazing experience. The boys are already planning for Montana 2044, to catch the full experience. Definitely not a bust, however, was getting to experience the incredible northern lights display in October (after somehow missing the display in the spring). The lights dancing across the sky in radiant reds and greens is something we will never forget.
Summer was jam-packed with family adventures. Geoff took the boys on their first offroading and camping trip up to Drummond Island and tented right on the beautiful Lake Huron shores. Multiple kayak-camping overnights on the Aus Sable River with friends were a blast for both kids and dogs alike while cookoffs with friends in the front yard made for a highlight of the summer. The boys also joined family in PA for the annual 4th of July reunion and again for Labor Day. We upgraded our cottage pontoon this year from a little 2-stroke outboard to a 18’ SeaDoo Switch jetboat. It is an absolute hooning machine and we enjoyed not only time on our little lake, but also family trips to other Michigan spots including the absolutely stunning Torch Lake and it’s sandbar parties. Even Geoff’s best friend and her son were able to join us at North Campus and Torch Lake all the way from New Zealand while Dianna and the boys spent time exploring Mackinac Island. Multiple trips to New England enjoyed both summer beaches and stunning fall foliage. Geoff finished off the camping season by joining his brother and some friends on an overlanding tour of Michigan’s upper peninsula including an amazing overnight on the very tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula and Lake Superior.
Martial arts continued to play a starring role in family freetime with Rutherford earning his Red Decided rank in Taekwondo, Geoff passing his physically strenuous Krav Maga test for Camo Recommended, Dianna earning her second-degree Black Belt in Taekwondo *and* her White Belt in Krav Maga, and Winchester completed the goal he’s been working towards for 4 years by earning his Black Belt in Taekwondo!
Geoff had a demanding year at Kettering University, continuing to lead the migration of the ERP ecosystem from on-premise to cloud-hosted, implementing a new university CRM, and working to streamline digital infrastructure. He got to speak at the Michigan Higher Education IT Leadership Summit, his first time presenting in his new VP role, and has enjoyed getting to meet some wonderful peers in the industry.
Dianna continues as a force to be reckoned with in the scouting world. While she previously oversaw all camping in lower Michigan, recent changes has her overseeing camping in the Upper Peninsula as well!
Winchester has been thriving in 5th grade. In addition to scouting and martial arts, he has been exploring 3D printing and modeling, learning mechanics and riding on his new minibike, and was even selected to have some of his artwork displayed at the Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center and, later, the Lansing Capital Building.
Rutherford was also selected for artistic merit this spring by the Michigan Garden Club as the 1st grade winner in the statewide Smokey the Bear 80th birthday poster contest. After showing responsibility with BBs at camp this year, Rutherford upgraded to his very own .22LR! Also, after years of hesitation, Rutherford spontaneously decided to finally hop on his bike, learned immediately, and is riding like he’s been doing it for years!
Both boys had a great time attending the Grand Rapids ComiCon this fall as Wolverine and Doctor Strange. Winchester had a blast taking photos with a variety of other X-men and Rutherford won a Judge’s Award at the kid’s Cosplay Contest!
Even the animals took part in the achievements this year! Namaari has worked hard over her first year, training as Geoff’s new adventure companion. She earned her Canine Good Citizen certification and completed her therapy dog training course. She and our current foster, Spike, have been training in canicross and scooterjorring with Geoff and Spike attended his first mushing event in November. Even without official accolades, Sammich is the most perfectly-behaved dog we’ve ever had and Hammy, while occasionally a rascal, continues to be the best (and most insistent) snuggler ever. The cats didn’t make the card this year, but are both still doing well while the chickens and turkeys continue to be an entertaining part of the landscape.
So as we reflect on 2024 and look towards the future, we hope you are well and the coming year is full of adventures and excitement!
Merry Christmas and/or a Happy New Year!