Annual Summaries

Significant life transitions, including a move to Minnesota, buying a new house and the start of new employment. This period was marked by establishing roots, hosting Thanksgiving dinner for extended family in our new home and joining a family fantasy football league that continues today (and now includes my son). Leisure included an anniversary cruise along the San Antonio Riverwalk, summer visits to Park Rapids that began a sixteen-year era of cabin life, and Beauty and the Beast at The Orpheum. The year also marked the beginning of membership at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church.

Officially the start of the “babies, babies, babies” era: our son Nathan was born. Before fully diving into parenthood, Jen and I got away to Key West for a sunset catamaran cruise, and I had a reward work trip to La Jolla. We attended a Young Adults Retreat at LutherPark and reached a major financial goal, paying off all our non-mortgage debt before our first child was born.

Fully immersed in the “baby era”, baptisms, showers, and birthdays. Local family fun at the Zoo, Children’s Museum, Mall of America, and the State Fair, plus summer at the cabin with the extended-family 4th of July party and wave runners. Jen and I got away to NYC in December for a carriage ride around Central Park, the Barenaked Ladies Christmas Show, and Movin’ Out on Broadway.

Big changes and new beginnings, a move into a new house and the start of the “CloverMaster” neighborhood group. Our first major family vacation to Disney World with the Luukkonens, summer cabin time and 4th of July, Truck Night, Tom Petty and Pearl Jam in concert, and the circus, before closing the year with the Museum of Science and Industry and Winter Wonderfest in Chicago.

High contrast, a massive work trip to Singapore and Australia (koalas and kangaroos) alongside the intense pressure of managing bank liquidity during the financial crisis. Nathan started Kindergarten, Emerson was baptized, and we welcomed Fantaye. A Disney World and SeaWorld trip with the Luukkonens, the start of our CloverMaster camping tradition, a backyard Olympics, and summer cabin fun in Park Rapids.

Expanding horizons, a family trip to Florida and my own travels to London (a Chelsea match) and Toronto (the CN Tower glass floor). We were the featured family for the MN DNR’s “I Can Camp” promotion, saw the Tall Ships in Duluth, and packed the social calendar with a Beach Party, Mardi Gras bash, the U2 concert at TCF Bank Stadium, and Wicked at the Orpheum.

Serious mileage, a couples’ trip to Puerto Rico (El Yunque, sea turtles, a bioluminescent bay), and work travel to London, Paris, and Frankfurt during the Queen’s Jubilee. A major summer expedition to Washington State explored Olympic National Park and Mt. Rainier, Pike Place, the Quinault Rain Forest, Sol Duc Hot Springs, Hurricane Ridge, and the Blue Angels over Seattle.

Outdoor adventures and big trips, a summer RV expedition to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park with horseback riding. A Florida Spring Break with a Twins training game and an Everglades airboat ride, plus a float-plane fishing trip in Canada and a NYC getaway for A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Traditions stayed alive: the Daddy/Daughter dance and Family Camp at Luther Park.

Embracing the big events and closing a chapter on cabin life, Cabo San Lucas, a high-adventure Arizona Spring Break (Camelback, Piestewa), and a bittersweet final visit to the Luukkonen’s Park Rapids cabin. The fall was massive: Disney and Universal, plus watching Team USA win the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine, capped with Mumford and Sons and New Year’s Eve at Cragun’s.

New lake traditions and sports history, we bought our lake home in Annandale. San Diego, a Rehoboth beach vacation, and Chicago for a Cubs game and Hamilton. We saw the “Minneapolis Miracle” in person and soaked up Pre-Super Bowl LII festivities. Concerts Bon Jovi, Justin Timberlake, Def Leppard/Journey, and a traditional Christmas NYC trip (The Lion King, Mean Girls, the Rockettes).

The “Pandemic Pivot”, normal winter vibes and a February work trip to Florida before everything shifted. We split time between home and the cabin and set up Zoom offices. Socializing got creative, virtual happy hours, “State Fair by car,” and outdoor gatherings, and we closed the year with a two-week Christmas escape to Key West.

Post-COVID rebound travel, British Columbia with the Luukkonens (Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria), whale watching and climbing Whistler via Ferrata. A Dominican Republic Spring Break, and a Southwest “boys trip” with Nathan (a yurt, slot-canyon canyoneering, the Grand Canyon). Jennifer earned her Master’s; I dove headfirst into a new pickleball obsession.

Big moves and new horizons, a “Maass Vegas” casino party, a father-son Arizona Spring Break with Nathan, and a fall NYC getaway for Hamilton and The Outsiders. The emotional anchor was Lauren graduating high school and heading to Creighton. We became first-year Vikings season ticket holders and even got on the field at halftime.