Photo of the Year 2025

 What a year 2025 was. There were struggles both personal and professional, victories big and small, and endless memories made with friends and family. We gained a daughter-in-law and an engagement. We overcame numerous obstacles and challenges, and came out stronger. I am grateful that we didn’t attend any funerals. 

As has been the case for the past several years, choosing one picture to capture the year that was is a tough task, so this year once again there will be two. One was expected, planned for, and celebrated after a 2 year wait. The other wasn’t on the radar a year ago, or even 8 months ago. It required an immense amount of planning, sacrifices and dedication. Both events were life changing for those involved. Both pictures perfectly capture and represent the moment in time and the people in them. 

March 21, 2025 and November 4, 2025. “The Reception” was taken in the midst of our family’s party of the year. It would be the only time all year that our entire family would be together. “The Hug” was taken moments after the initial results from the Greeley City Council election were posted showing I would win in a landslide and turn out to be the first race that was officially called. 

The photos of the year for the Roth family and the Campingdad blog. 

Photos of the Year PT. 4

 And just like that, it was the final three months of 2025. October was dominated by the campaign, all day everyday. I was clearly the strongest candidate going into Election Day. I had done my homework, received key endorsements, raised money, and performed well in the debate and forums. While not campaigning, we worked in time for some events, attended a wedding that D was the best man at, traveled to Boulder and Las Vegas, celebrated Jen’s 50th birthday with her folks at a party at the Tavern, and enjoyed time with friends and family. 

Oh, and I won the election in a LANDSLIDE! It was quite the emotional night as the results were released. We did it. Transitioning into the life of a City Councilman has been delightful. I have my first several meetings under my belt, have began meeting with city staff and our acting City Manager, and been able to attend a few events in an official capacity. It’s still hard to believe sometimes that we did it. And it will change our lives. 

It’s hard to describe the weight that was lifted on November 4th. I really feel that it took several weeks for my nervous system to regulate itself after campaigning for the better part of 6 months. The swearing in ceremony was incredible, especially when Wes Roth appeared out of no where. I’m grateful for the quick weekend we were able to have together in Vegas. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the community that I love so much. Here are the pictures that captured the final three months of 2025!

Photos of the Year PT. 3

 Where is 2025 going??? July arrived with a BANG as the campaign was able to walk in the annual Greeley Independence Day parade. Kinda surreal to walk down 10th Ave waving and announcing to the world that I was running for elected office. Travel continued to be a theme for late summer and early fall, with Andrew and Ari off to Buffalo, Jen and I had a weekend away in Glenwood, and sis, Jen and her folks escaped to Alaska for a cruise to celebrate sister’s 21st, Jen’s 50th, and Jim and Janet’s 50th wedding anniversary. The rafting trip that Sara(Beth) arranged on her trip home in August was a core memory. 

The campaign really dialed it up a notch or 6 after Labor Day. Placing signs, “shaking babies and kissing hands” all day, everyday. Preparing for various campaign fundraisers, debates and forums. Raising money. Checking that signs were still in the right place and haven’t been moved, stolen or blown over (note to self: buy more sandbags.) I will forever be thankful for my campaign manager Sara and the work she put in to everything associated with helping me try and get elected. Here are July, August and September. Hard to pick just one or three pictures per month, so I went a little over. 

Photos of the Year PT. 2

 With wedding season over, and spring arriving in Colorado, changes were afoot that would alter the balance of the year. In May, ALLO put the Events team on a spending and sponsorship “pause”, cut overtime, and in June had the first company-wide layoffs in company history. While my job was secure, the gloom would linger in the company for the rest of the year. Just before Memorial Day, I announced that I would run for the Greeley City Council At-Large seat. This decision would also alter the rest of 2025, as I began to learn what running a campaign was all about. With the full support of Jen, the family, and many friends, I became “The Candidate.” My campaign kick-off at the end of June was pretty special.

As summer approached, so did concerts, longer walks with Bella, and the promise of nights on the patio with friends and family. Than and Ruthie set off on a European adventure, Noah asked Sariah to be his wife on Mother’s Day weekend, shortly before they relocated to Burlington, Vermont. Sara(Beth) repelled down a building! Here are the photos that captured the highlights of April, May and June!

Photos of the Year PT. 1

 2025 had arrived! We were 5 years out from COVID, half way to 2030, and we were looking forward expectingly to several big events that were on the schedule! We were praying for no serious health issues for anyone in the family, adventures to be had by all, and most importantly, family! ALLO was going well, Jen was well on her way to another successful year in the Learning Center, Noah and Sariah were in Portland, Sarabeth was enjoying her role as an EA, Andrew and Ari were teaching in their respectful schools and planning the wedding, and Than and Ruthie were growing in their responsibilities at YFC.

The first three months of the year were filled with activities leading up to one of the most anticipated events of the year: Andrew and Ari’s wedding on March 21. The gathering of friends and family was overwhelming. Many tears were shed, core memories created, and the couple celebrated! ALLO was also a focus of the first quarter, with fun memories in multiple communities. That would be changing as the year went on, but at the time it appeared that event season would be another focal point of the year. We also had our one and only hospital stay when Ryan visited UCHealth for a few nights for a hernia repair. Here are the first batch for the Photos of the Year for January, February and March.