2012 - A Recap

This wasn't my favorite year. There was a lot of change, tragedy and heartbreak this year. But, I realized this morning during mass that there were some great things to remember from 2012 as well. This post will be my best effort at capturing all my memories - whether good or bad. After all, without all of our experiences, how would be the people that we are today - looking at a bright shiny new year?

I started off the year with a trip to Delray Beach, FL to visit a colleague. It was a fun and warm way to start the new year!

There were several work trips to follow. Here they are in chronological order:

Seattle, WA - great view of Mt. Rainier! February

Anchorage, AK February

Big Horn Canyon, Montana. April (there was a trip to Gaithersburg, MD in March, but I'll highlight that later!)

More Big Horn Canyon!

Our cabin in Fort Smith Montana. April

Little Bighorn, Montana. April

Crow Agency, MT. April

San Antonio Missions, TX

July - it was beautiful but so hot!!!

Monumental trip to Alaska - August. This is Denali from the plane!

 

Kotzebue was a strange place!!!!

Giant caribou!

Dinner in Talkeetna, AK

Such a magical place!

Off to Alaska again - this time Lake Clark in September!

And then back to Montana again in October:

Greetings from the Packers Roost - a Montana favorite bar!

There were the other memories too - so many things this year!!!!!

Gaithersburg, MD - March. Hitachi acquires PRIZIM

Memorial Day - Bolder Boulder!

Nic leaves the country for the first time - Lima, Peru - June. Machebeuf mission trip.

Tragedy strikes our neighborhood, our state, our country. We cry for our friend who lost her nephew AJ.

 

Homecoming 2012 - September

Machebeuf makes the playoffs and make it to the sweet 16 for the first time ever!

Angeli's debut, November

Nic got his car - December

Happy holidays!

There were tons of other things too...Nic had a fun part in the school play, he raised money to build a playground for his friends in Peru and he continues to maintain a 4.3 GPA.

We were forced to face the world as we know it alone, and although we find it scary at times, know that we can do it, and are better for it! We appreciate our family friends and neighbors who have been there for us all the way!

I made new friends, became closer with the ones I have had, and look forward to making new ones this year. We had friends pass away, while coming together with old friends to remember them and draw strength from one another.

It was not my favorite year, it was hard. But I am thankful for the many great experiences and look so forward to the new adventures that await for 2013. Happy New Year to you - and I hope your dreams can come true.

Glacier National Park - Montana

 

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And a Merry Christmas to all!

Did you know that in Denver we are only 13% likely to have snow fall on Christmas Day. This year it happened!

Such a great day. Nic and I started our Christmas morning opening our gifts from each other. I am thrilled with my new phone case and books to read over my break! After that, we shoveled the three inches of snow that accumulated overnight from our driveway and that of our wonderful neighbors. It felt good to do something nice for them, and this way they could enjoy the beauty of the snow and the white Christmas.

My parents came a little while later, and more opening of presents! Nic loves the new clothes and Xbox 360. I think the highlight of my Christmas was watching Gus the Dog wander the house trying to find a place to hide his new rawhide bones! It was hilarious. He wore himself out moving them around from place to place throughout the house. He has one hidden safely on the bottom shelf of the entertainment center upstairs in my office. I don't think he remembers he put it there....he was looking for it earlier! So funny!

I didn't get any photos of my parents, I am so bad with that! Everyone gets here and I get so busy with the cooking. We had traditional Italian Christmas dinner again this year - it was yummy!

Below are our 2012 Christmas highlights!

 

 

Merry Christmas all!!!!

 

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Our 2012 Holiday Card!

http://www.americangreetings.com/ecards/pnw-online-greeting/christmas/view/5788001548504?i=578800154&m=8504&source=ag992

This is the link to our 2012 Holiday Card.

Enjoy - and happy holidays!!!!!!

It's Beginning to look a lot (or a little) like Christmas!!!

This year I just couldn't bring myself to drag all of the Christmas decorations out. In fact, our tree is only 2/3 of the tree! I wanted a real this year, but decided to wait on that til next year....but, with the old one we have and the few extras I pulled out - I am actually really happy with how the house looks! Here are a few of my favorite decorations this year, as posted to Instagram...

 

In the office.

A mini tree and ornament candle holder.

A bowl full of red ornaments in the living room.

Another mini tree on the fireplace mantel.

Our cozy living room.

I'm in the Christmas spirit!

I hope you are too...

Happy holidays everyone!!!

 

 

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