2012 in review

I was about to skip my year in review, but then I realized what a great year it truly was, and it deserved to be celebrated! Plus, I've done a review every year, so I can't stop now ;) You can see 2011 and 2010.

Read more, after the jump...

In January, we visited Chicago and I spent a day eating pancakes and crafting with my sisters and mom.  David and I made a little video about hiking in January, and we ate our weight in Chicago style pizza.  We spent a weekend in Washington D.C. getting ready for our El Salvador trip, and exploring the monuments by night.  We hosted a game night, and it finally snowed!!  We even made a video about it! We hosted a giant pancake breakfast, and explored Cunningham Falls.

In February, I decided to eat vegetarian for the month (and I shared some great recipes here and here and here).  We watched the superbowl with friends, and ate at Chili's wayyy to much.  We celebrated Valentine's day by staying in, and went bowling with friends.  We went on lots of walks, and spent lots of mornings in Zeek's Coffeehouse (which has sadly closed!)

In March, we traveled a lot.  I broke my vegetarian streak by eating mcdonalds and we did a new hike.  We spent a week leading a trip to El Salvador, which you can see here here and here.  We had our first picnic of the year and our first meal on our balcony (we like eating outside :)  Then, we spent the last week in Florida with my family, which you can see here and here!

In April, I started a little garden on our balcony, and we celebrated easter by dying easter eggs.  We also made a little video of a spring picnic.  We spent an evening at Hershey Chocolate World with some dear friends, and (duh) went hiking again.  We ate froyo from a new place in town, and I did a little sketch of our family.  We finished the month by running in a 200 mile relay race from Gettysburg to D.C.!

In May, we said farewell to david's staff, and I went on a women's retreat with some dear girlfriends.  We said goodbye to two of our favorite graduates, and went on a couple little dates.  I worked hard to build a kitchen table (with some help!), and I finally finished it!  We cooked out for the first time that summer, and attended a friend's wedding.  We spent a weekend in Jim Thorpe, PA...verhttp://emilyrosedowney.blogspot.com/2012/11/high-ropes-course.htmly romantic!  And spent an afternoon picking strawberries.

In June, David traveled to Indiana for a conference.  I wrote him a letter and cooked meals for one (sad face).  I shared our almond milk recipe,  and we went for a saturday hike.  I found some great things at local yardsales,  and gave an update on our balcony garden.  We picked tons of fruit at our favorite orchard and ate breakfast at the best place in the world.  I wrote one of my favorite posts ever about working with the old.  Finally, we drove to Chicago to visit our families.

In July, we celebrated david's 27th birthday with his family in a Wisconsin cabin,  and watched fireworks with our families on the 4th of July.  My family got professional photos done, and I got to see my dear Chicago friends. We drove back to PA, and then my family came to visit us!  We, of course, took them to Hershey Chocolate World and spent a day in Lancaster, PA. I shared our favorite pad thai recipe, and we took an anniversary trip to Shenandoah National Park, which you can see here and here. 

In August, things picked up with david's job at the beginning of the school year.  we spent a relaxing weekend at home, and then got ready to welcome Maggie into our home!  We spent a weekend camping with friends (and their dogs), and I shared an interview with ms. maggie.  We welcomed a brand new staff, and finally squeezed in a date, just the two of us.  David, maggie and I explored Baltimore, and maggie and I got helplessly addicted to a new show.

In September, one of my best friends visited for the weekend.  We also ate ice cream in the rain, and maggie and I spent the day at the dog park. I shared my thoughts on living simply, and we ate lots of waffles for breakfast. We spent the day at a wildlife park, and went hiking through tons of waterfalls.  We also managed to squeeze three concerts into one month!

In October, maggie and I went to an apple festival and a pumpkin festival, AND the three of us went apple picking.  I hosted a fall brunch for girlfriends, and david and I went camping in Shenandoah with friends. I turned 25 years old, and we carved pumpkins with friends.  I wrote a letter to Chicago, and then we flew to Chicago for david's brother's wedding.  We spent some time with family, and then flew back to PA for a weekend with david's staff in a cabin.  We survived frankenstorm sandy, and I gave an update on my 25 things list.

In November, I introduced the series twice a month, and maggie had a friend visit.  Peppermint chocolate shakes were back (!!!), and maggie and I took a high ropes course class (eek!).  My family came to celebrate Thanksgiving with us, and we (duh) took them hiking.  Maggie, david and I made a little video of us cutting down our Christmas tree.

In December, david and I ate at our favorite diner, and went on a coin-funded date.  We ate one last dinner with maggie at brother's diner, and maggie shared her laundry tips.  The three of us celebrated our own Christmas in PA before driving to Chicago.  Christmas day was spent with family.  While in Chicago, my sisters and mom did our annual Christmas Tea, we saw Christmas lights at the zoo, and we celebrated NYE with our families before driving back to PA.

Whew! It was a full and completely wonderful year.
Let's do this, 2013!