A New Year

Ringing in the New Year always sounded like there should be an elaborate party when, at the stroke of midnight, everyone would cheer "Happy New Year" and you'd see fireworks or the guy you were magically supposed to be with and this ringing in of another year would create that spark needed to get you two together. Well my life definitely doesn't play out like it does in the movies. First I flew back to Virginia New Year's Eve which didn't give me much time to scope out who was home, who was hosting a party, and who I could finagle an innovation from said party. And I was sick with a wretched cold. I wasn't in the mood to ring in anything as the thought made my ears hurt. A friend invited me along to watch the Alexandria fireworks and even though I agreed, I knew it was going to be an utter disaster as the other friend believed watching the fireworks from her work building by the White House would give us the best view. For those who don't know DC geography, all you really need to know is the White House is not near Alexandria. Oh well. Happy 2015!

Can you spot the fireworks?

On a far more optimistic note, I traveled to California to meet my new niece over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. I'm saving vacation days for an upcoming European adventure so I worked on the plane. Gratefully, the wifi network held strong even when I connected to the vpn. Oh the wonders of modern technology!

Usually when I visit family, I rotate houses to spend time with everyone, but since I was only going to be there a few days it was much easier to travel back and forth between houses. Best plan ever. I spent time playing games with kids, attending my two nephews' Eagle Court of Honor, and holding the sweetest little girl. The trip was short. My jet lag was not. But seeing family was worth it.

Can you spot the photobomber?

She's so cute!

Sisters

So glad I got to meet her

My mountains

January also had me traveling to Toronto and exploring a bit of DC in winter. All good things.

August Adventures

August = baseball games, Toronto, running, exploring, camping, and Sound of Music.

Mormon night at the Nats game

Can you spot the missionaries?

Toronto's CN Tower

View of Roger's Stadium, home of the Blue Jays, from top of the CN Tower

Lake Ontario from the top of the CN Tower

Kennedy Center from Georgetown

View from my morning run

Great Falls

Josh Groban crew

Lawn seats at the Josh Groban concert

Camping with my boys

Sound of Music sing-along

The Longest Month

I avoided Canada in January. Too much cold. Too much snow. Unfortunately I didn't escape traveling there in February. First, Canada knows how to clear roads fast. Second, when four blocks stand between your office and your hotel, you survive the cold by stopping at strategic points along the way: caramel hot chocolate, macarons, and Tim Hortons.

 

The snow kept coming and coming Virginia. This was my car after a day of constant snowing. I did what any self-respecting Utah girl would do: I suited up and dug out my car.

The morning after...

Surprisingly, a week later, it warmed up enough for me to get out and tackle my first run in four months. My legs ached in a good way.

Month Long Celebration

Having just moved to the area, I didn't know what to expect of December. You see this is my favorite time of the year. My birthday. Christmas. Snow. Lights. Family. Though I hardly knew anyone, I loved December.

Events in December

#1 My birthday. My relief society president happened to call me that afternoon and discovered it was my birthday. She brought me to lunch and made a big deal about my birthday.

#2 Visited Antietam Battlefield for their annual luminary event. 22,000+ luminaries covered the battlefield and touched me in a way no other event had. Sobering. Absolutely sobering.

Volunteers placing and lighting the luminaries

The line at 4pm for a 6pm opening

#3 First visit to Canada. With my boss being located in Toronto, I expected this would become a regular occurrence. Little did I realize then how often I would make this trip.

#4 Wreaths at Arlington Cemetery. I planned to be part of this event next year.

#5 Svir family. I love having friends nearby who welcome me into their home. I feel like part of the family.

#6 Christmas with family in Utah. Oh how grateful I am for a boss who let me work remotely so I could spend time with family.