Twenty-Fourteen in Review

Goodness gracious, it's been way too long since my last entry! Maybe because this year has been so bustling with activity, that I haven't made time to sit at my computer. But here I am in the first week of March, doing what most people do in January: Pondering the last year of my life and thinking ahead to the direction it is going.

It's probably a bold statement to make, and surely one I've made before, but 2014 has been by far the best year of my life. {{And if in fact, I have said this before, well that's pretty rad that the years just keep getting better!}} This last year I've learned more about myself than any other year in life, and the thing I've learned the most, is that I am just content with just me. For so long I've wonderered and wandered to try to figure out who I really was, and this year has finally taught me, that I am just a girl getting by in the day-to-day, and wanting to experience life to the fullest. I think that's really what all of us are living for.

January/February

I started out the year to join my dear friend Lauren, on a vacation of a lifetime to Bali! Yoga, surfing, snorkeling, cooking classes, jewelry making, and temple tours were the highlights of the trip!  It was certainly an adventure and an experience I will never forgot as long as I am alive.  

On the beach of Gili Trawangan

Such a great trip with a great pal!

Balinese pancakes!

Silversmithing for the day in Ubud

So pretty much I'm a natural...

Ahhh, now this is more my speed! 

living the life :)

Words can't express...

April

Sunny in Seattle

I turned 29 this year, and it was such blessing to sit around a large table in Denver celebrating with friends that have been in my life for so many years. I am so thankful for such strong friendships with such amazing people! Then I took a wonderful trip to the PacNW where I got to catch up over dinner in Seattle with my sweet Sam, a dear high school friend.  I got to be a guest and witness another childhood friend marry her amazing husband; and then have a little adventure on the side with my life-long pal, Marianne, in Vancouver, BC.  Marianne and I made it our mission to to dominate Vancouver. French food, market places, and plenty of cocktails. It was a great birthday week!

Exploring Vancouver with one of my longest best friends :)

May/June

I took a work dental mission trip to Barron, Mexico. An eight days that changed my life for the better! We spent a week providing dental cleanings, sealants, fluoride treatments, fillings and extractions to about 200 elementary aged children. It was the hardest week of work I've ever had, but it was worth every minute! I also got to reconnect with a long lost dear friend! Five years later fate would have it that we would be on the same mission team where we got to unite our passions for life and re-kindle a bonded friendship! And of course, I also came home with brand new friends from the trip. It was wonderful and I am so excited to do it all again!

Wendolyn was clearly very excited to get her teeth cleaned :)

The cutest little kids ever!

My sweet and beautiful long lost friend, Davina!

July/August

Lots of summer activities and camping trips to be had! Fishing, hiking, camping, concerts, and a mud-run obstacle race was the stuff of summer! Can't forget about the wedding of my beautiful cousin, TK, and the start of the new romance between Colin and me :) xoxo

Summer Concerts with Sis

Rugged Maniac Mud Run

Family Camping Trip

When we started expressing "the feelings" :)

Wedding Fun!

September

This was the best and the worst month of my life in 29 years. I spent 3 wonderful, beautiful, fantastic weeks exploring Europe alone, with old friends and new friends. I was put to the test on many occasions and came out on top of every one of them, except for the heartbreaking loss of my sweet grandmother.  I've experienced loss before, but I think this was just about all I could bear. I miss my sweet Gram more than anything and I'm so thankful and grateful for each and every moment I had with her, and all the millions of things she taught me. She was truly one of the most remarkable people I've ever had the pleasure to know, and I'm so beyond glad she was mine. I miss her every day, but I rest happy knowing that she is living with Jesus.

First Euro stop: Iceland! It was lovely!

Paris!

Jardin du Luxembourg

Sacre Coeur Cathedral, Paris

Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

Exploring Castles in Germany

Oktoberfest in Munich!

Bienvenido a Barcelona!

Giant Sangria, a must!

Sweet, sweet Gram. I love and miss you so much. I wish I could have shown you all the pictures from my European travels. You would have loved them so much.

October/November/December

I rounded out the end of the year with lots of family time, and falling more and more in love with my sweet Colin. We spent Thanksgiving with my family, and Christmas with Colin's. The end of the year has been filled with so many mixed emotions, but I am so thankful for the love of my sweet family, friends, and boyfriend. You all are the reason that I have such a wonderful life, and each and everyone of you are my greatest joys. I am so blessed and happy to have the life and experiences with you all that I do. The presence of you all are what make life so wonderful and so much more fun!

Tailgating at CSU games!

First ever Slurpee! The 7/11 addiction has set in...

Fred and Daphne :)

Getting to meet little Hannah in Florida, Nov. '14

Christmas Party Masquerade fun!

I am so excited for the present and the new things that 2015 will bring! Always an adventure to be had, even in the most common or mundane activities. It's just all about being your best and seeing the best in others! Life is so beautiful and wonderful and I'm honored to wake up  every day with breath in my lungs, legs that carry me, a brain that learns lessons, and a heart that soars with love and gratitude.

I pray that all my dear family and friends have a wonderful and prosperous new year. And thanks for keepin me around :)

xoxo