Our Year in Review

December 02, 2025

Our Year in Review

Another Year-in-Review for the Dettmans full of antics, laughs, and surprises. And we wouldn't want it any other way:

We started off the year with a trip to Disney World for the Art Festival. It was our first trip without Jill so it meant that Jenny didn't have a riding partner for the Tower of Terror. So, Ryan and Ron begrudgingly agreed to ride it. There were a lot of scared screams and angry faces for that ride. The ride picture captured the moment well: grumpiness, head down, and screaming. Jill needs to be on the next trip for sure.

Prost! to the Arts Festival

Ron is very excited about the Potatoland display

Ron and Ryan are already angry that Jenny convinced them to ride the Tower of Terror

Dettmans are sitting middle row, right side. Not a good moment.

We have also started taking college tours for Ryan. Since it's his junior year of high school in the engineering program, it's good to take our vacations in college towns for him to experience the college life. This spring break was spent in Texas at Texas A&M, and UT Austin - where we even got to see Jill's high school best friend, Reagan, for a personal tour! She did such a great job, that Ryan says he would like to apply - yay! I was so happy to see the Ralphs during our visit and check out the American roadside event: Bucky's gas station.

UT Austin College of Engineering

We were also able to spend some time with this fun group and be their tour guide to the beach and Disney Springs. Donna enjoyed her visit to Florida, and it was a really fun day catching up.

Joan, Donna, and Cheri

Donna, Jenny, Ray, Joan, and Ron at the beach in Jupiter

Jenny spent an exciting weekend celebrating the retirement of her first boss and wonderful mentor from Caterpillar. Getting a tour of the warehouse reminded me of my first days in the workgroup, drinking lots of coffee from the vending machine, and being part of the legacy of Caterpillar. It was really fond memories.

Jenny with a track-type tractor during the warehouse tour

Jenny with her mentor, Kevin

Jenny's old coffee machine is still in the warehouse outside her old office

Ryan had another great season of running track with his high school team. Every week he shaved off seconds and minutes from his running time, and it's great to see his dedication to the team and his teammates.

Ryan sprinting to the finish line

We also continue to update our home in Florida. This year got some bad news that our pool was leaking, so we decided to get it all fixed and take the opportunity to add some new features to our backyard. So, now, our backyard is even MORE kid friendly and ready for parties and visitors. Ron got a new friend to help protect the new pool: Captain Silverbeard. He now resides at the pool and keeps an eye on things for us.

The new pool

Ron with Cap'n Silverbeard

Heading into summer, we also said goodbye to Nana and Papa at their annual Snow Bird party. Lots of food, games, and laughs before they fly home to Michigan for the summer.

All the neighbors and friends eating and drinking before games

Playing cornhole in the yard

Ron throwing a bag

Ray and Joan at their party

Ron and Jenny at the party

One of the big highlights for us was an impromptu trip to Las Vegas to see Kenny Chesney in concert with our great friends, the Ralphs. It was a blast to see his at the Sphere and getting a free upgrade to a suite. Those Ralphs are so lucky, and we had such a great time!

Ron, Jay, Steph, and Jenny in the suite enjoying the concert

Jenny, Steph, Jay, and Ron at the Ice Bar to cool off.

Heading into summer we celebrated Ryan's birthday before he left for Michigan for a few weeks. He took on a job in Michigan at the pickle plant sorting produce for the local farmers. It was a good experience, even if he hated it.

Ryan opening his present

Jenny, Ryan, Jill, and Ron in a group photo

Ron and I travelled up to Michigan to spend a few weeks with the family as well. Ron had a special office setup known locally as the "Cat Mid-Michigan office". It worked out great and he was able to spend his evenings relaxing with the family. After some great family time, we spent a week "Up North" in Traverse City re-connecting with friends and hiking in the UP. The time in nature is so refreshing and makes you feel amazing!

Cat Mid Michigan office

The Warticks and Dettmans in Northport

Ron and Jenny at a Traverse City Winery

Ron posing with the troll

Ron at a smokehouse sharing his same monikor

Ron and Jenny enjoying the beautiful views in Lake Superior

The beautiful Pictured Rocks in Michigan

Tahquamenon Falls

Before heading back to school we took a really fun girls trip to Nashville. Those Welke girls are so fun! Visiting our favorite music halls, dancing, riding bulls, and playing games made the weekend so magical and fun. Jill had such a great time that she's already decided her 21st birthday celebration will be in Nashville. So, we have that to look forward to in 2026.

Anna getting ready to head into Lainey Wilson's bar: Bell Bottoms Up

All the ladies in the Bell Bottoms Up restaurant

Jill and Anna riding the bulls

Anna, Jill, and Nana laughing the night away

Before sending Jill back to London, we celebrated her 20th birthday with a "British Birthday". It's her 3rd and final year in London at Northeastern before coming back to Boston for her 4th year. It was a fun family party.

Jill with her cake and decorations

Move-in day came pretty quickly, and it was Jenny's turn to move her into her apartment. We decided to have some fun as well by spending time with our favorite British couple, the Newings, doing a scavenger hunt solving an old mystery. We HIGHLY recommend doing this. It takes you around town and shows you many special places you may miss if you only stick to the larger destinations.

Jill at her student accommodation on move-in day

We finished the scavenger hunt and solved the mystery!

Throughout the fall, Ron and Jenny had been raising money for the American Cancer Society and planning for the RunDisney Wine and Dine 10K race. We love dressing in fun Disney costumes and running with so many amazing people. The energy and support you feel during the race is so uplifting and keeps you going through the miles. Sometimes, you forget that you're running, and you are laughing and dancing with the entertainers along the way.

The last big celebration of the year was "Friendsgiving" in London with Jill, and a European cruise. Seeing Jill in her element in the big city is always great and we LOVE everything there is to do in London and Europe.