The end of the year always makes me a little bit sad… usually because I can’t believe how quickly time has passed. Twenty eighteen was one for the books because we made a HUGE change: becoming official Connecticut residents. For once in my life, I’m not terribly upset 2018 is over. Instead, I’m celebrating and sharing my top 5 moments. I’m excited for our future, optimistic and curious as to what it may hold for our family.
My 2018 Top 5 Moments
1. We bought a house!
Who would have ever thought it’d take us a year to get settled and find a house? I think we actually spent nine solid months looking at homes, only to decide we were going to end up living with my parents forever. Then… this home we liked but was way overpriced DROPPED its listing price and we made an offer. We closed on our house in the summer but spent a month and a half doing renovations before moving in. Once we were inside, we continued to paint and remodel the rooms. We whitewashed the fireplace, painted the exterior shutters, and gutted our entire bathroom. I have so many great posts to share in 2019 of the changes we made to our home!
This house is our DREAM house… a white colonial in a wonderful neighborhood that we’ve made our home. My heart swells every time I pull up to the driveway knowing its ours. I love everything about it – even the drafty spaces and weird overhead lighting. We still have some work to do inside, but we couldn’t be more happy!
2. 2018 Vacations!
We took two big beach trips over the summer to Destin and Cape Cod. We also went to Montauk in the Hamptons for the first time and Brandon surprised us with a weekend in Manchester, VT! All of our trips were incredible in their own way, filled with laughter and fun and everlasting memories.
3. Ailey Turned TWO
Ailey turned two while we were in Cape Cod in August. She had a birthday party before we even left at our new house and then another party at the beach. This year Ailey hit so many milestones – speaking long clear sentences, learning to put on her own shoes, jumping off furniture, brushing her teeth, and kicking a ball. She has turned into a curly haired wild woman with a silly sense of humor and sneaky temper.
4. Annabelle Turned FIVE
I’m still recovering from Annabelle’s big fifth birthday this month. Somehow, someway, our little Booch turned five. She seems taller, older, more mature suddenly – but thankfully is still throwing the occasional tantrum and talking like a baby here and there. In the last year Annabelle learned how to write her entire name, count to 100, read a few sight words, memorize some books, kick a goal in soccer, dance both tap AND jazz, and break the record for asking more questions than her Mom. She loves preschool, but we can’t imagine how she will be a Kindergartener in 2019.
5. Fun Through Each Season
I think it goes without saying – each season we have made an effort to enjoy everything it has to offer. From winter to spring to summer to fall, our family has had many adventures!
Overall, 2018 was a great year despite some difficult times. Waiting to find a house wasn’t easy and neither was the passing of my cousin. Nothing in life is perfect, but the best thing you can do in trying times is to focus on what is good all around you. Here is to another year of making memories <3
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