{2012} A Year In Review

In following the tradition, here is my 2012 year in review post.

 

2012 was a fantastic year. For the most part, we stayed fairly low-key. We had to skip the sledding trip to the cabin this year (usually done in January), due to some maintenance issues at the cabin. Instead of doing sledding, we launched Carter right into ski lessons. He was such a stud! He did a fantastic job and is signed up again for this year.

 

 I also tried snowboarding with Eric. Not my thing. In fact, we recently sold all of my gear. I will stick to sledding. ;)

 

Also this year, my baby turned ONE. The end of this year has been a very trying time in this house as far as Kendall is concerned. Full blown into the terrible twos, early. :/

 

She also got her ears pierced when she turned one.

 

Another big event this year - though I wouldn't call it a highlight - was Dana moving to Montana. It was a decision that circumstances in life dictated, and though we hated to see him move away, it was a necessary step. (We just went to visit this weekend and got to meet baby Easton for the first time - more posts on that later!) He has been back to visit, and we have been there to visit. We're trying to cram in as many as we can......definitely not used to him being so far away.

 

This year was a huge year for the photography business.  I did a little more advertising this year, which resulted in an increased profit from last year (always good) and more than double the hits to my photography website (incredible!). I also had my second published cover on The Advocate, and received an award from the Idaho State Bar for Cover of the Year for my 2011 cover.  I also submitted some photos to the fair, with two out of three receiving awards. All in all, it was a dynamite year for photography and I hope 2013 is just as successful!

 

At the end of June, Eric and I took a trip to Seattle to see the city and take in some Red Sox baseball.

 

 

 

My parents celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary this year - which was accompanied by a nice party. It was a fun night!

 

Eric and I took the kids on a vacation in September - through Yellowstone and then up to Billings to visit Dana and Veronica.

 

 

 

It was a long roadtrip, but we had a great time with the kids. We already have two trips on the calendar for next year, and a bunch of camping trips. I can't wait!

 

I also got a new car this year. My old car was about to cost me a whole lot of money, so we bit the bullet and got a new one. I love it!

 

Carter turned the big FIVE this year!

 

 

I also landed a new job this year. The firm where I was working for the first half of the year was dreadful and I ended up walking away from them and into an AMAZING opportunity. I am thrilled to be with the new firm and it is definitely a long-term gig.

 

This happened:

 

 

And we just got back from a great visit to Billings. I will be sharing the photos of Easton over this next week. We had two shoots and he is such a handsome fella!

 

Farewell, 2012. You were wonderful and I can't wait to see what 2013 brings!

A Christmas Recap

Christmas this year was incredibly busy. We had something each night of the long weekend. Friday night, we had some friends over for dinner and game night. Saturday was my dad's side of the family's gathering - which included a white elephant gift exchange and a riot of a game of Pictionary. Sunday evening was spent at Eric's aunt's new house out by Lake Lowell. They moved into the new house this year. We spent the evening eating wonderful food and visiting. I think Eric's uncle talked him into helicopter school - quite the investment of both time and money, but a huge return of money if you can land the right job. It would mean quite a bit of time away, but the benefits of the job would really be worth it. Monday evening, we went to visit my grandma, who is currently in a transitional rehab facility after spending a week in the hospital with influenza and pneumonia. After our visit, we went to my parents' house to celebrate Christmas Eve. We were able to Skype with my brother, Veronica, and baby Easton. Finally got to see the little guy moving around! Christmas Day, we had Eric's mom, stepdad, brother-in-law, and sisters over to our house to celebrate Christmas Day. Whew! Needless to say, today was zombie day at work. Here are some pictures of our long holiday weekend.

 

Yes, we DID

I know not everyone is a supporter of President Obama, but I am. And today is a wonderful day. I'm so proud of American voters for getting out there and slamming the polls. This was a HUGE election and I'm so glad I got to be part of it (I contributed to the campaign three different times, and I voted). I DO believe in the President. I believe he can get this done. More than that, I am so, SO glad to have someone in office who gives a damn about women's rights. This is a HUGE issue for me, and the thought of what could have happened had the other guy (I refuse to speak that slimeball's name even one more time) been elected....it just makes.me.ILL. That's all I will say about that.

 

America has a lot of work to do. Washington has a lot of work to do - TOGETHER.  The divide in the United States is bigger than ever, and that should concern a lot of people. I know it concerns me. I truly hope that the big wigs across the country can stop the pissing match and move America forward and out of this funk. We need to get back to being a powerful, thriving America once again. I know it can be done.

 

Also, I am so excited that several states stepped up last night and took a step forward in the marriage equality movement. This is another issue that is important to me, and I'm glad we are slowly but steadily eliminating that form of discrimination. That's really what it is. Love should not be subject to discrimination.

 

This blue girl in a red state is PROUD today.