Bartletts 2024

Greetings, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

A physical card in the mail happened not again this year, my apologies to all, but between getting a puppy (yes, a puppy!), renovating our kitchen and all the rest (waves wildly at the chaos around us), it just didn't happen. BUT, I bring you an update with pictures of our year; a summary.

(Shout out to Signal Return in Detroit for hosting a lovely workshop where this artwork above was made. If you are in the southeast Michigan area, I highly recommend signing up for a class!)

And now for an update on the family :)

Peter - He celebrated his 15th year at the same workplace this year. We are very thankful for a job that allows him to work from home (although he says he misses the office life a little bit) and close to family. And 15 years means some extra, extra perks in the form of being able to take off almost every Friday from October- December! Woo-hoo! He has been working hard, building up a team and enjoying gardening, raising chickens, planting trees (10 Hazel Nut trees this spring!) and planning ahead for our next homesteading adventure.

Rebecca - She stepped down from her position as communications director at her local church this spring and has been enjoying a slower year as a result. She still takes freelance work here and there, but enjoyed a summer of fun with the kids! There were many trips up to Traverse City and lots of time in the garden. And she finally got the kitchen renovation completed (and by she, we mean a team of guys was hired to freshen up the cabinets, replace the drawer boxes and install soft-close hinges...the silence is golden!)

Emma - She is enjoying her 5th grade year at our local public school...it feels good to be at the top! She has taken her 5th grade year in stride, continues to excel in reading and writing (I'm trying to convince her to get a poem or two published!), and enjoys her gaggle of friends, the chickens and our dog JuneBee.

Eli - He is half way through his 2nd grade year, has found a mix of old and new friends and tried soccer for the first time this spring. Both kids started piano lessons this year through a neighbor friend and JuneBee has *almost* curtailed the requests for a younger sibling (which had ramped up recently for whatever reason, I do not know - and it ain't happenin'!)

JuneBee - She arrived to our home on November 16th and is the best decision we have made all year! She is a labrador retriever mix from the humane society, we are convinced she is the smartest dog we know (she is a Bartlett after all) and has brought so much joy to our family.

And now for a couple pictures: