19 for 2019

Last year was the first year I shared a few favorite moments from the year, rather than a giant collage like I’d done in the past. I decided to do it again this year–because who doesn’t need a few happy things right now? (See my 18 for 2018!) So, in no particular order, read on for my 19 for 2019 favorites list!

ONE: Getting published in a book!

I started this year with the goal to really get paid for my writing. It’s been quite a road, mostly filled with a lot of rejection, but I still completed that goal! Mostly with online articles, but one did make it into a book. It was so, so exciting to go find a book in a bookstore with my words in it!

TWO: Camping in Grand Teton National Park

I spent a good chunk of my life living only three hours from Grand Teton National Park and never visiting. I’m kicking myself because it’s AMAZING and I hope to make it an annual trip. Although camping with a baby was…an experience…I hope she gets used to the tent and starts to enjoy it!

THREE: Ketchum & Sun Valley

In February, we started a tradition of meeting my brother, who lives in Idaho, somewhere in the West to ski over President’s Day weekend. Last year we skied at Sun Valley (with a day trip to Ketchum) and this year, we’re planning on Targhee in Wyoming. Although I didn’t get to ski very much–partly because we brought baby A and someone had to watch her, haha, and partly because I’m not a great skier to begin with, and Sun Valley is a tough mountain! Still, it was a great weekend with my siblings, and there was so much snow!!

FOUR: Christmas markets in Copenhagen

This year, we timed our annual visit to Copenhagen (where my husband’s business partner lives) with the Christmas markets! And some of our very best friends that we met in Budapest came over from Romania, too, which made it all the better.

FIVE: Getting lost in Copenhagen with my sleeping baby

Baby A is such an angel when we travel, and while we were walking around the city one day, she fell asleep hours before I anticipated–just as I lost track of where I was. It’s much less stressful being lost with a kid when they are passed out. I usually love getting lost in new places–it’s an integral part of the experience, if you ask me–but the logistics of a baby can make this difficult. Not as bad when they’re asleep :).

SIX: Baby A turning 2

I can’t believe my child is two years old. She’s officially a toddler! I find myself missing the baby phase a lot, but she is just so fun, it’s hard not to love this age, too! So far every age has been so fun in new ways, and being her mother is the greatest joy of my life.

SEVEN: Christmas in Washington

We went to my in-laws for Christmas this year, and I forgot just how much I love the Pacific Northwest in the winter. The fog! The rain! The green everywhere, still! And it was lovely to spend a Christmas with E’s side of the family–it had been much too long!

EIGHT: Vancouver Island

I was thrilled to finally make it to Vancouver Island for my birthday in August. It is, as expected, gorgeous, quaint, and I need to go back, because it’s also huge! A few highlights–getting coffee in the adorable waterside town of Cowichan Bay, visiting the Old Country Market in Coombs (mostly baby A was thrilled with the famous goats–we went for the donuts), visiting old family friends, and the terrace at our b’n’b.

NINE: Baby A, every day

I could easily make all of this about little things my daughter does, every day. She’s so fun, sweet, smart, hilarious, and keeps on our toes!

TEN: Mont St. Michel

What traveller doesn’t want to see Mont. St. Michel, off the coast of Normandy? I would definitely recommend going in November–although a lot of shops were closed, the crowds were much smaller, and it’s a crammed space as it is. By the time we made it up to the abbey at the top, I was tired of wrangling a toddler on the stone walls and almost didn’t pay to enter. That would have been a mistake!

ELEVEN: Fireplace in Bayeux

For our base in Normandy (which we visited with my mom and sister–such a highlight!), we stayed in Bayeux. Not only is Bayeux a great base, it’s a stop to visit in it’s own right. My favorite part, though, was the Airbnb we stayed in. The fireplace was tricky to get going but having one in our bedroom was a dream!

TWELVE: Staying in Montmartre

For the first few days in Paris, we stayed in the area of Montmartre. While it can get crowded–not as bad in November, though!–I just fell in love with that area of the city. I think anyone who visits does, really! It’s a great place to be while jet lagged with a toddler–so much to explore just walking around! At all hours, too–we accidentally went out at 11 p.m. one night (parent fail, we blame the time change) and baby A loved all the lit-up buildings.

THIRTEEN: Glacier National Park & Flathead Lake for the 4th/E’s birthday

We were invited up to a friend’s house at Flathead Lake, here in Montana, for the 4th of July–and we squeezed in a quick trip to Glacier for E’s birthday, since it was (kind of) close! We had a lovely few days relaxing at the lake, riding the boat, and hanging with my cousin and her boyfriend, and his family.

FOURTEEN: Anderson Island

We took a ferry from Tacoma in Washington to the small Anderson Island with E’s family, while we visited in August. We took a hike that ended in pouring rain, but it’s such a pretty little spot! Baby A got a kick out of the ferry, as a bonus.

FIFTEEN: Minnesota & South Dakota

We embarked on a big ole road trip last June, traveling from Montana to Minnesota for my grandpa’s 90th birthday (!) and a cousin’s wedding. From there, we drove down to meet my in-laws in South Dakota, where we explored the Black Hills area and camped out. Highlights of the trip were our little traveling champ, my grandpa’s birthday party, staying on Lake Harriet in Minneapolis, driving to Wisconsin with my brother for cheese curds and local beer, hiking in Spearfish Canyon, and renting a tiny cabin with my in-laws.

SIXTEEN: The people in Copenhagen

From E’s business partner and his family, to a delivery guy at one of our favorite pastry shops that made friends with Adelie, to everyone who helped me with a stroller, to seeing our old friends, to our Airbnb hosts…it truly is a welcoming city (at least to us!).

SEVENTEEN: European bread and pastry

France, obviously, has amazing pastries and crepes.. But we found so many good spots in Copenhagen, too! We are constantly trying to fatten up baby A, and watching her eat her weight in French croissants was glorious.

EIGHTEEN: Tea in Honfleur, France

While exploring the absolutely adorable little city of Honfleur, we stumbled upon this absolutely charming little tea room. Simple, but a precious moment from our trip!

NINETEEN: Mother’s Day in Yellowstone National Park

Last winter and spring, we had a quiet few months, working hard, saving money, trying to pay off some bills. Which meant we hadn’t done much traveling when we decided to do a quick day trip to Yellowstone for Mother’s Day. It was so refreshing to get away, outside, and remind ourselves that the place we live is pretty beautiful, too.

Other highlights (’cause I just can’t choose): Watching one of my oldest friends get married, living near family, meeting a lot of new baby friends for baby A, a few days at our friend’s cabin in Montana, my cousin’s wedding in California (which included beers & beaches, and spending time with my grandfather before his passing in October), pumpkin patching, Monet’s Water Lilies in Paris, introducing my mom and sister to France…and the list goes on. I am very thankful for that.

Share one of your favorite moments from 2019 below! I’d love to hear them!