random stenbakken: 2024 Year in Review

Wow. 2024 was quite a year for us. We've had some blessings and we've had some massive "learning opportunities" (that sounds better than "losses").

Blessings:

• We got to see Aubrey a lot this year, which was great! We've visited her and Caleb in Tennessee at their house and she's come here several times as well. Big news: Aubrey finished her undergrad degree online and is graduating this December with a BS!

• Finn is a sophomore at Campion and is living in the dorm and is loving it. We don't seem his as often as we used to, but we see him on breaks and catch a glimpse of him at church some weeks. He's now the 2nd tallest in the family.

• We drove the build-in-progress van to Texas to see a total eclipse. We visited one of Erik's employees from 15 years ago and it was great to see her and her family.

• We raised and released 17 Monarch butterflies. Yes. We intentionally grow milkweed just for this :)

• We did a trip to the Tetons with friends and had a blast. Even if it did snow on our tent in June.

• The three of us went to Maui once, mostly for vacation. We bought a condo there and Gelerie and Erik went back to set it up as a vacation rental. That trip was definitely *not* a vacation. Gelerie's Mom and brother got to join and help and that was a blessing.

• Erik went to Tennessee three times this year, Gelerie twice.

Business:

• Gelerie resigned her partnership at the end of 2023 and went PRN (part time, she chooses the days she's available). She is enjoying the time flexibility and still trying to find a good balance for days off to work days.

• Erik still serves a few legacy clients with photography and video work, but spends most time on property management of our rentals.

• In the spring, we sold the first vacation rental we ever bought and moved the proceeds to a 1/1/ condo in Maui. That deal has not turned out great, but it is in Maui, so there's that!

• We finished and sold a new build that we started 2.5 years ago in Tennessee. That was more tragedy than comedy, but it's over. If you're counting, yes, we sold 2 properties (9 bedrooms total) and bought one property (one bedroom). Scaling back a little.

We are grateful for the many blessings that we have been given and also the friends and family that we share our lives with.

May you have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!