2010: My Year in Review

I've been toying with the idea of starting a blog for awhile now.  My hold up has been that most of the people I know who have blogs:

• Are really creative & trendy, and write about their home improvement projects, new decorating ideas, etc.   
• Have adorable little kiddos & post pictures showing how their little tykes are growing & changing. 
• Possess a ridiculous talent for being bargain shoppers.  They snag incredible sales on really sweet "things," & boast about them to their blog followers.  

 If you are reading this, you know me (at least I'm hoping you know me, because I'm moderately creeped out at the idea of people who DON'T know me reading my blog), and know that I am many things.  However, I am not overly creative/trendy, I am not a mom, and am not enough of a bargain shopper to warrant a blog about my phenomenal purchases. 

I am however, really blessed.  I'm blessed by the incredible people that have been placed in my life, the experiences I've been given and the lessons I've learned- both good & bad.  These are the things I want to blog about & share with you.  As I've gotten older, I've become more convicted in my beliefs & opinions, and become less of a push over.   For the most part I think this is a good thing- though it's been a real learning experience.  Who knows, maybe at some point I'll blog about that, too.

I should also clarify that creating/maintaining this sweet little "thing" is not a New Year's Resolution.  I don't believe in them, probably because the majority of mine have been related to a committment to exercise, which, we all know is something I've never been motivated enough to succeed at.  So, I don't really have a goal for this little project.    Maybe I'll blog once a week, maybe once a month.  Or maybe this will be my last one.  Time will tell.  At any rate, here goes nothing!  Before I move forward, I thought it would be fun to look back.  And so, behold: 2010: My Year in Review.

Highlights: 

• See ya, galbladder. (January) I kicked off the new year with surgery to have my galbladder taken out.  This translates to an extended amount of time in elastic waist fleece pants (glorious!), lots of visitors, a few vases of flowers, the return of my appetite, and an end to feeling terrible all the time. Aside from the short lived pain, it wasn't a bad way to start the New Year.  No pictures were taken to document the experience.
• The best business trip ever. (February/March) Our 50th Anniversary Cruise to the Caribbean & West Indies.  I worked as one of the on-site planners, and Doug won the trip after his first year as a District Sales Manager- so we BOTH were able to go, which was awesome.  (It should be noted I was genuinely working, while Doug was experiencing the grown up equivalent of spring break- however, we were still able to spend some down time together in paradise!)



St. Bart's- Our favorite of all the islands we visited!



One of the perks of our job are the stylish, matching outfits we wear on each day of our trips.  Another perk are my coworkers themselves.  Want to know what it's like to have the best coworkers EVER?  Ask me.  I love these ladies.

• Memphis in May!  Doug & I roadtripped to Memphis (my first visit!) with Sara & Eric to experience the Memphis in May Music Festival.  All in all, it was a solid weekend, with the exception of the tornadoes & flooding that swept through Memphis that weekend.  Naturally, we made the best of the situation by buying ponchos & riding out the storm on Beale Street.
  
  
  

  

  En route to Memphis- pit lunch at Lamberts, which was 
  best described by Doug as a "bucket list" kind of place. 
  Even with the wow factor of throwed rolls, I concluded
  Lamberts is indeed a bucket list kind of stop- nothing more. 

  
  

  

  Before the first concert at Memphis in May! 

  

• Lisa & Keith tied the knot.  (June) My beautiful college roommate became Mrs. Brake on a perfect summer day at a winery in St. Gen. 

Mr. & Mrs. Keith & Lisa Brake

• The Waterkoch Vacation Remix. (July)  Original plans included a week-long  "holiday" (which is such a fun word for vacation, in my opinion) in Gulf Shores, AL.  After the out of control oil spill threatened to cancel our plans (and Jen's last vacaton as a Koch), we did some serious scrambling & found a fabulous beach house in the Outer Banks , NC.  It was the definition of quality family time & relaxation... simply amazing.




A classic example of what happens when you have to change your vacation destination/car rental plans at the last minute, over the 4th of July.  The last resort= 15 passenger van. Two words: 1.  Cozy; 2.  Memorable

 

• Jen's Bachelorette Party.  (July)  Jen wrapped up her days as a single lady in classy fashion, while Anna absolutely owned the dance floor.  It was.... awesome.

• JEN & TIM TIE THE KNOT!  (August) My beautiful little sister married the man of her dreams in the most beautiful wedding ever, on the hottest day Quincy, IL has ever seen. 



Mr. & Mrs. Tim & Jennah Jackson





The "Original" Koch family at Jen & Tim's Rehearsal dinner. 



 

• Mandi & Chris tie the knot.  (September) We picked up the Terwelps, packed up the car, and roadtripped north for a long weekend in MIchigan for the Clark's beachside nuptials. 

 


Wedding Weekend Bonus: A visit from my sweet
friend Sarah Clancy!  My two Sara(h)'s finally had the chance to meet,
& we spent a gloriously perfect sunny afternoon enjoying each
other's company and.... happy hour...




• Lady Lauren's 30th Birthday Bash: Vegas Style.  (October)  My dear friend & former roommate celebrated a very special birthday this year.  So, the bags were packed, the hotel was booked, and the sun & nightlife of Las Vegas were soaked up in celebration of one amazing lady!  

The ladies.  Note: our birthday girl
is the one who couldn't put her martini down
for the picture.



The Gentlemen.

• Doug becomes my fiance!  (October)  Yes, after 2 years of dating, he still managed to suprise me with the most perfect proposal in the world.  Our fall vacation to San Francisco & that moment on Baker Beach are two things I will never forget, and I could not be more excited to have a promise for forever from such an amazing man. 

Taken at Baker Beach- right after Doug's surprise proposal.

 2010 had it's share of tough times, too- but all in all, was an incredible year full of many special moments... hence the reason my glass is half full.  I am so very excited for all that is to come in the next year, and can't wait to share it with you!  And yes, my future posts will be shorter--- I just had a lot to cover this time.