2017, you were good.

New Year's Eve, again?  

These days just seem to come quicker and quicker each year.  I've been on a long hiatus from this blog, but the final day of 2017 seems like a good time to reflect upon the past 12 months.  

What a year it was! As per usual, we crammed a whole bunch of fun into these months. We went on new adventures, we met new friends, we grew older. 

We started 2017 on the beach in Mexico... how I wish that were the case this year as well.  It was the best trip we've been on as a family of 4. 

Also in January, we moved into our brand new home! We were so happy to have so much space and to finally feel as though we weren't drowning in toys.  We still have way too much stuff, but that's a mission for 2018.  Later in the year, some of our best friends became our neighbours, so I think we'll stay here forever. 

In February, I reluctanly left my kids for an adults only trip with Ryan. We spent 2 weeks overeating, exploring, and sleeping in in Paris and Iceland.  It was incredible, despite how much I missed my girls.  

We spent almost a week in the mountains celebrating our anniversary and Easter. We chased bunnies in Canmore, and enjoyed an all expenses paid trip to Jasper, thanks to a contest that I'd won.

 

In May, we went on a road trip to Victoria with some of my extended family. It was a week of sunshine, hiking, and dreaming of living closer to the ocean.  I swore I'd never drive that far with the kids again... at least until August. 

In June, Briley turned 2, I turned 31, and Niko turned 5!  Briley's birthday was of course the highlight, and we had a blast at her Two-tti Frutti celebration.

July was spent outside, as it should be. We camped, had picnics, attended Ryan's family reunion, went to the fair, and spent our afternoons at the spray park.  Aaralee mastered riding a scooter, and refused to try her bike.  

August was a whirlwind. My mom, the girls and I were back on the road, this time Vancouver bound. I ran my very first half marathon! It felt amazing to accomplish a goal I'd worked towards for so many months.  We spent a few more days in the Okanagan and then ventured home, where the month was finished off with more camping, fun days at the U-Pick farm, and above all else, being outdoors. 

  

My big girl Aaralee turned 4 in September! We had her dream party... princess, pink, unicorn themed.  Just 2 days later, she began her second year of preschool. We made the most of the warm autumn evenings, and got back into a life of routine. 

October brought beautiful weather and a sudden flurry of fall photo sessions. I don't know what happened, but all of a sudden my little hobby job turned into an actual business, and I was constantly busy. It took of a bit of adjusting to life as a stay at home mom with a job, but we made it work and still managed to have some fun along the way.

We snuck in another mountain trip in November, and finished off the month with our annual trip to the tree farm.

December has been all Christmas, all of the time. We had parties, baked cookies, took photos, decorated the house from top to bottom, and watched Aaralee sing at her Christmas concert. It was a wonderful month, filled with family and cozy days indoors.  

I look forward to seeing what is to come in 2018. We have so many exciting plans in the upcoming months, and I can't wait to take another journey around the sun with this crazy, awesome family of mine.  Happy New Year, everyone!