YEAR
what a
With a few notable exceptions (like the wedding of Brandon's youngest brother Uncle Ryan to Auntie Jeanne) we'd like to put 2024 in the rear view with as much finality as possible.
In the first few months of 2024 we said goodbye to Brandon's grandmother MomMom, and both Jenn's Granddad and Grandpa. We miss them greatly.
Owen started 4th grade, and Emma her third year of Montessori preschool. Jenn grew lots of flowers, made a few more from paper. Brandon continues to hold the family together by being the only one who knows how to work the TV, and who does dishes + laundry.
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brandon
garden
Between her paper flowers and garden turned flower farm, Jenn is all flowers, all the time these days (except when she is making butterflies.)
Jenn's work is now featured in a gallery in Lynchburg, Virginia and was she was selected as an exhibitor and workshop host as part of the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont's inaugural Art Festival.
In September, Jenn went on her first solo trip in a very long time, back to sunny England for a paper flower intensive with leading artist Tiffanie Turner. It was transformative and inspiring.
Back at home this fall Jenn has been focused on preparing for the debut of her flower farm in 2025, and holiday markets for Jenn Heller Studio.
2025 may bring lots of things, but we know it will have flowers.
jenn
owen
jenn
Brandon continues to be the anchor for the rest of the family, always down for a kitchen dance party or saving Jenn's bacon when she impulsively takes on a two-day plumbing project on a Sunday afternoon. But after some serious cursing, we finally have a working utility sink again, AND a utility washing machine!
We celebrated Brandon turning 40 in June this year with a pool party with family and so. much. food. It was a wonderful break, and Brandon has been scheming where to put "our" pool ever since.
A highlight for Brandon this year is our new Friday Family Movie Night, where he gets to share the joy of some classic movies from childhood with the kids, and listen to Owen & Emma's running commentary.
Brandon
emma
brandon
Owen is 9 going on 13 this year, and started the 4th grade. His love of reading continues, and he has now finished Harry Potter, and every Rick Riordan series he can get his hands on. Jenn and Owen are reading a childhood favorite of hers, the Chronicles of Prydain, in the evenings and he is working on Lord of the Rings with Gaffer.
In spite of his intense crushing fear of bees, Owen does his best to help out on the flower farm, in exchange for Nintendo time. He loves word games, puzzles, Minecraft, and his lego creations keep he and Emma entertained for hours.
Owen still hopes to cure diabetes when he grows up, but is encouraged that someone else may get there first so that he can focus on ADHD instead.
Owen
pets
owen
Emma is 5, and reminds us every day that if we all get through her childhood, she will grow up to run the world.
She is clever and charming, both of which she uses to get her way - but she is also empathetic and kind, and her learning at school has exploded in recent months. We expect her to be reading in not too long, which will probably make her unstoppable.
As you can see in these photos, Emma LOVES to run. in 2024, she finally learned how to pump her legs on the swings, and has taken her first tries on a big kid bike. She also enjoys helping Jenn in the garden.
Emma continues to love music and dancing, and seems to have a natural affinity for piano (and can hear in perfect pitch so far). In 2025 we hope to explore piano & dance classes for her.
Emma
garden
Emma
The only being in the house capable of matching Emma's chaos and inability to hear the word "no" is Dex, the "mini" bernedoodle who is now 2 3, and almost 70lbs 73 lbs.
Sadly 2023 2024 was not the year Dex calmed down and learned some manners, but we see glimmers.
Raynor continues to make cautious progress allowing Dex and the kids to get closer to him. He sleeps on Jenn's desk 95% of the time, like the little prince he is, on his own pillow.
Kerrigan is now officially a senior lady with arthritis, and she yells at us a lot. We are lucky to have her.
Dex, Kerrigan, & Raynor
Jenn
Pets
I guess it's time to give the garden it's own update - this is the last year I suppose we can call it a "garden" and not the flower farm it will be.
This year, we prepped and planted over 400 dahlias. In preparation for spring we (along with help from Jenn's mom) planted ~75 peonies, 10+ rose bushes, 300 tulips & daffodils, 300 ranunculus and about 200 anemones.
This new floral venture will be called Dogwood House Floral, and you can check out the preliminary website now.
This section also features some of Jenn's paper flower work - in true 'Is it Cake?' fashion, you can guess which are which :)