2012 Recap

I really like being able to look back at all the many blessings that have come my way.  2012 was a great year full of friends, family and fun.  Here is a small sample of what happened last year.

January
- I held my 3rd annual New Year's Day meal at my house.
- I went to PA once.
- I bought a new set of living room furniture.
- I went to Florida with Marlene for my birthday.

February
- I tried yoga again (very unsuccessfully).
- I went to PA once.
- I played a lot of Just Dance & spent a great deal of time with some good friends.

March
- I made pierogies with Deana.
- I went to PA once.
- I was in a car accident (not my fault).
- I went to eastern Europe with Deana, Laura & Rachel.

April
- Lalana came to visit me.
- I went to PA once.
- I went to a "Lost in the Trees" concert with Deana & Lalana.
- I started a step class.

May
- I went to New Jersey to visit my brother & his family.
- I went to PA twice.
- I went to a "Legwarmers" concert with Jami & Marlene.
- I went to the DC Greek food festival with Deana, Erin & Marlene.

June
- I attended a week of work training in West Virginia.
- I went to PA twice.
- I went to Chicago with Deana, Holly & Teresa.
- I went to another "Legwarmers" concert with Marlene & Deana.

July
- I went indoor climbing with Deana & Holly.
- I went to PA three times.
- I went to Utah to visit my sister & her family.  While there, I also got to attend Laura's wedding.

August
- I went to Kirtland, OH with Deana & Marlene.
- I went to PA twice.
- Erin came over and taught me to make scones.

September
- I installed a new faucet in a bathroom of my grandmother's house.
- I went to PA once & to the fair with my dad.
- I went to an "Owl City" concert with Deana

October
- I went to Boston with Deana.
- I went to PA once.
- Lalana came to visit me.
- I celebrated 16 years free from cancer.

November
- I started taking a kickboxing class.
- I went to PA twice.
- I went to the beach with Deana, Mandy & Marlene.
- I went to Utah to visit my sister & her family.

December
- I had to move up my 4th New Year's Day dinner.
- I went to PA three times.
- I bought a really expensive camera.
- I went on vacation to Antarctica. 

Many other "normal" days were enjoyed spending time with such good friends that fill my life. Writing all of this down helps me to know how much I'm loved.

Utah - July 2012

   

At the end of July I went to Utah with double purpose - to see my sister's munchkins and to go to Laura Hanna's wedding.

Laura was beautiful and it was fun to wear the matching dresses with the girls.

I had outings with my sister (pedicure & ice cream), my neice (craft store), and my nephew (Toys R Us).  We also went to swimming lessons (three times) and to see the Lorax movie (dollar theater). 

It is always good to see the family and it was such a fun bonus to join in Laura Hanna's joy :)

Chicago

Back in June - Holly, Teresa and I went to visit Deana's homeland.

We went to a Cub's game (where they won, beating the Red Sox), to an Al Green concert at the Ravinia, the Field Museum, China town, went on an architectural boat tour, ate amazing hot dogs at Gene & Jude's, and saw the "Bean" twice!  We also saw a zombie invasion, ate deep dish pizza from Lou Malnatti's and rode the ferris wheel at Navy Peir.  Holly and Teresa had to leave on Sunday, but I stayed till Wednesday!! 

With my three extra days of fun, I went to a Willerth family BBQ, swam in the pool, slept an amazing amount of hours, experienced my first real family FHE, ate an Italian Beef sandwich at Portillo's, and watched 4 movies (next post!).

It was great to meet Deana's family and to experience a small part of Chicago, and it was exactly the summer vacation I needed. 

Lalana

Back in April, my friend Lalana came to visit me.  This girl completely rocks - she has been to visit more than a half a dozen times since I moved to Virginia and it seems to me that once or twice a year isn't quite enough.

This visit we made our way into D.C. on Thursday to try out Ollie's Trolley.  The milkshakes here are amazing.  Just keep in mind to bring cash, because they don't take credit cards.

On Friday we went to Bread & Chocolate and totally enjoyed the chocolate fondue for brunch.  After that we went to the Ross to do a little shopping and we watched a movie that night.  Saturday, I'm sure Lalana didn't have as much fun.  I ended up procrastinating as usual and I needed to do my taxes.  When I was finished we went to lunch at a Chinese restaurant called Ping,  the food was good, not great, but good. Later Saturday night we went to the Black Cat to see the band "Lost in the Trees".  I'm always amazed at how much I enjoy live music.  I should go to concerts more often.

Sunday we went to church and watched a movie, it was a nice slow day.  Monday we went to the D.C. Arboretum and then we took a walk to the mall to go to Sephora.  Tuesday, Lalana went home.

I always have so much fun when she is here.  Lalana is the kind of friend that I need in my life.  She just loves me for who I am.  Sometimes we don't talk for months at a time, but whenever we get together it seems like nothing has changed.  So a big blog shout out -Lalana, thanks for being so cool :)

#17, #18, #19 & #20

Last weekend, I got to go on an amazing birthday trip with one of my favorite friends. We escaped the the frigid north east and made our way to sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I was so happy to be in a beautiful hotel right next to the beach and the weekend was everything I wanted it to be. We enjoyed enough sun filled hours to get a sunburn and we ate some amazing cheesy grits.

As an extra bonus to all of that fun - we watched the first four Harry Potter movies. I love reading the books and the movies are so brilliant, the characters are like old friends. I'm excited for the next long weekend when I have the chance to watch the final four movies of the series. Want to watch them with me?

MDG

My roommate experience is limited.

Until I moved to Virginia, I pretty much lived alone. But it is expensive here and secretly I'm so glad! During the last five years I have lived with some amazing girls. They each have added some portion of joy to my life.

I lived with MDG for about a year starting in the summer of 2008. She has a mile long list of good qualities....but for today I'd just like to thank her for making time for me.

Thanks MDG! I appreciate you :)

Matching Pants

I moved into an amazing house three years ago.
Best thing I ever did! I love these girls.

2008

2009

2010

Favorites

This is a picture from my most recent birthday. It shocks me to recognize the fact that I turned 34 this year. Can you believe it? I can't.

But....this post is not about my denial, it is about my favorite people. I guess somewhere in the past ten years I've decided that it is okay to have favorites (as long as I try to be kind to everyone). It just seems natural that you can't be best friends with everyone. Certain people kind of sneak in at pivotal points in my life and I just love them for it. I've learned that I have a guarded personality, but if you make it past my first line of defense - I actually will open up.

Everyone in this picture is a favorite - each individual has a special place in my heart for a specific reason. This year was the best birthday yet! All I wanted was a group picture and lots of hugs, but I got a few presents too.

Just so you know, I have a lot of favorite people that are not pictured here....but hopefully - you know who you are and that I love you!

Dear BC

Dear BC - This is why you are one of my favorite friends...

- You have a never ending supply of hugs.
- You encourage me to be better.
- You help me look toward the positive side of life.
- You can be silly.
- You can jump really high.
- You can sleep for 10 hours.
- You can sing like an angel (and you are very entertaining).
- You listen when I need to cry.
- You read scriptures with me.

- You have been on two cruises with me.
- You are an amazing missionary.
- You are always kind to me.
- You make time in your life for me.

There is more to this list, but these are my highlights today. I love you!

Lalana

This amazing girl came to visit me this past weekend. It had been TOO LONG since the last visit and it was so good to see her.

First thing - straight from the airport we went here.

This is my new favorite restaurant and they have the best lunch special.

After a seven hour shopping trip (during which we bought matching shirts, but not the pillow I was looking for) we went here.

Side note - Looks can be deceiving.

Saturday was all about the DC Cooking & Entertaining Show where we saw Paula Dean and got TMI straight from her mouth.

After two days of a lot of walking and looking our super cute sneakered feet were tired.

But we made one last trip here.
Silly us - we didn't check the operating hours so it was closed.

But lucky us - they sell the same cupcakes right across the street here.

I ignored the whole world for the weekend and it was
great to be around an amazing, easygoing, super chic, crockpot cooking,
dedicated friend. I miss you already! Come back soon.