Tuesday, December 31, 2013

2013 In Review

As I do at the end of each year, I recently examined my goals for 2013. I knew when I set them that some would be easy while others would require more effort. I wasn't sure if I would complete them all, but I knew I wanted my relationship category to be the most important.

Here is what my efforts in 2013 were intended for:

Relationships


  • Ryan- have a more intimate marriage & not just between the sheets, take advantage of living close to NYC, go on more date nights
  • Adelaide- partake in 4 month long activities together (i.e. swimming, play & learn, etc)
  • Family- grow our immediate family
  • Friends- host at least 2 dinner parties 


Health & Fitness


  • attend yoga class once a week
  • attend core strength class once a week
  • play a tennis tournament with dad


Career


  • book 5 speaking engagements for 25 Before 25


Community


  • volunteer 30 times in honor of turning 30 this February


Travel

  • visit 2 new states in the US
  • take a girls trip to Naples, FL

I can easily say that I was the most successful in my relationship goals. Ryan & I, thanks to my 1st anniversary gift, were able to go on dates throughout the year. And once we found couples friends, we began going on even more dates. Adelaide & I completed multiple classes from swimming to Gymboree to Parent/Child group to French classes. I am 4 1/2 months pregnant so our family is definitely growing...as is my belly ;) We hosted a Derby party and a Murder Mystery Dinner party; both of which were a huge success & hit around these parts. 






Health & Fitness was my least productive category. As in I did not accomplish one damn thing! Ha. I did begin prenatal yoga once I became pregnant. I did core strength here & there and am hoping for a better workout schedule in 2014. Dad & I weren't able to work out the tennis tournament thing...next year!!!

I was thrilled to speak at my alma mater Kentucky to my ADPi sisters about 25 Before 25 which was incredibly fulfilling, inspirational, and emotional. I have a few things in the works for 2014 so I hope to book more speaking engagements. If you have any ideas, please let me know ;)



Perhaps the goal that I am most proud of myself for committing to and accomplishing is volunteering 30+ times this year. I have a passion for giving especially my time. I believe that if I can brighten one person's day at a time then my life will be complete. I have enjoyed being a lector at church and will continue to do so. I also love teaching tennis with HERO as well as serving as the chairman of the EATF. I plan to continue serving going forward.







Travel was the easiest to accomplish. We went to Boston, MA for Mother's Day which was wonderful. Exploring the city, seeing the history, visiting Harvard. Adelaide & I took a road trip to Rhode Island for a few days. We enjoyed the Providence zoo & children's museum as well as the beaches of Newport. My best friends & I headed to my parents' house in Naples for a little R&R to commemorate our 30th birthdays. It was wonderful to spend time with them since we live all across the country and we rarely see one another.














I feel blessed to have had another year of life with family & friends and am looking to what 2014 has in store for me!

Friday, December 27, 2013

Christmas Parties Galore

When we go back to Kentucky it is always packed with event after event after event. Christmas seems to put those events in overdrive. We bounce from place to place visiting with family, eating way too much, opening presents, and skipping out on sleep. This year was no exception.

Arriving late Thursday night, we hit the ground running on Friday sharing a holiday celebration with the Comley side (my mom's family). Because my Mama Comley has passed as well as all of her siblings, these gatherings are incredibly special as we help keep their memories alive.




Bishop & Mason playing pool

Adelaide & Collins dancing to Christmas tunes


Dad & Bob

Cozy coupe for 2


Saturday night we kept the holiday spirit going by celebrating with Shane & Amanda. It is their year to spend Christmas in Michigan with Amanda's family so we feasted & opened gifts a few days early!

Cousins at their kid table



A beauty & the beast tea set from Aunt Amanda & Uncle Shane

Adelaide & Uncle Shane

Adelaide, Uncle Shane, & Aunt Amanda




My little bro & I



Seasonal wreaths for the DeZarns

Paris, Je t'aime

Bro-in-laws with their bourbon barrel wood


On Sunday we gathered at The Corrigan house to spend time with the Thompson side of the family. Including more food, lots of holiday drinks, & the annual gift exchange.

Adelaide, Kendahl, & Kinlee


Adelaide helping open gifts


Gift exchange getting heated!

Thompson family


Christmas Eve is generally a blur because from sun up to sundown we are on the move. We had brunch with Ryan's immediate family then open gifts. Next we attended church. Dinner was enjoyed with my family. This year my cousin Samantha hosted. It is hard to believe that we are the adults hosting now!

Family pic at my parents' house

My love

Adelaide & Kendahl


Cozy coupes!


The "kids" table @ Samantha's

Adelaide Jane and Sandra Jane (aka Mimi)

Silly cousins: Cooper, Collins, Adelaide, & Bishop


Christmas day is a little more relaxing because I refuse to rush. We awake at my parents' house to open our presents from Santa as well as from one another. A long time tradition of poppy seed bread for breakfast followed by egg nog in our signature mugs while watching the Christmas day parade ensues next. In the afternoon, we drove out to Lebanon to spend the afternoon with Ryan's grandparents and his mom's side of the family. Then we headed back to my parents' for Christmas dinner.

Bishop showing off his Indiana Jones outfit from Santa

Adelaide & Aunt Bees


Adelaide & Cooper playing

Coop loves her toy from Santa



Annual Christmas jammies

Adelaide's shopping cart

Grandma & Grandpa Lee
Merry Christmas from the Thompsons


Phew I am exhausted just reliving it all! Hope you had lots of eats, treats, & drinks this holiday season!