2012: Year in Review

Once again, I picked a highlight of each month for the previous year. Just like I did for 2011. You can read that one here.
And just like before, it was really hard to decide on one highlight for each month because we had such a great year. We are so fortunate. I also linked my blog posts about each highlight for those who want to read/see more. It's a linkstravaganza!

So here it is! I know a lot of it is vacations we went on, but they were pretty much the highlight of our year!

January: Adam's Birthday Celebrations

We had a great time celebrating Adam's 27th - a party with friends, dinner with my family, dinner with Adam's family, and finally dinner with just the two of us. It was a lot of going out to eat and celebrating of Adam!
Happy Birthday Adam!
Adam's Birthday Weekend

February: Kitchen Revamp

By the end of February, it was mostly complete and we were back to using it. The project ended up taking a lot longer than we anticipated, but it was so worth it. It's brighter and more us. We love it!

March: Wisconsin Dells

As is our yearly tradition, we went to the Dells with my fam and some of my aunts, uncles and cousins. It was at a different hotel/water park this time, which was a nice change. We especially enjoyed the outdoor hot tub just down from our room.
Weekend Recap: The Dells!

April: Our first Twins game of the season

The last weekend in April brought our first visit to Target Field for the year. It was the fishing lure giveaway night, so we got there extra early to secure one. The bonus was we got to enjoy batting practice.
Weekend Recap: Twins Game

May: Milwaukee to see the Twins

We both took off Friday, and went on a road trip to the land of beer and cheese. The main purpose was to see new (to us) ballpark #4  on our Major League Ballpark Tour. But, we also went on three brewery tours and ate lots of good food!
Milwaukee 1: Brought to you by Miller (Brewery tour + park)
Milwaukee 2: Another brewery, another Twins win
Milwaukee 3: Beach, Car, New Glarus, Car

June: Fishing/Boating

We greatly enjoyed the fishing boat this summer, and used it quite frequently. Adam did a lot of fishing, while I enjoyed relaxing in the sun and reading a book.

July: Anniversary trip to Madeline Island

Sometimes the parents just need to get away! Okay fine, Chester never goes on vacation with us anyway, but this trip was really just about us. No agenda. Nowhere to be. No cell phone service. Just us. Relaxing. And hiking...
Weekend Recap: Anniversary Trip to Madeline Island

August: Boston to see the Twins

We took a long weekend trip to Boston to see the Twins play at Fenway Park - the oldest park still in use and ballpark #5 on our quest to see them all. While there, we toured Sam Adams Brewery (for Adam), walked and explored The Freedom Trail (for me), and had some awesome seafood. It was a great time.
Boston Part 1: Arrival & Sam Adams Tour
Boston Part 2: Freedom Trail
Boston Part 3: First Game at Fenway!
Boston Part 4: Second Game at Fenway!
Boston Part 5: Lobster!

September: Europe Trip

A long time in the planning, our 13 day trip to Europe was our big trip for the year. We toured London, Paris, and then rented a car and drove around Ireland, ending in Dublin. It was just as fabulous as it was exhausting. We saw so much, and it was totally worth it, but I'm going to need a few less hardcore trips before I do one like that again! And of course we missed Chester like crazy.
London Day 1: Arrival, Greenwich & British Museum
London Day 2: Museums, Big Ben, St. Paul's
London Day 3: Tower of London
London Day 3: Tower Bridge, The Monument, Museums & The Tower (Again!)
London Day 4: Harry Potter! (Warner Studio Tour)
London Day 4: Tea at Harrod's & London Eye

Paris Day 1: Sacre Coeur & La Tour Eiffel at night
Paris Day 2: Churches! (Notre Dame & Towers, Ste Chapelle & Conciergie)
Paris Day 2: Art Musuems!
Paris Day 3: Les Invalides & Versailles
Paris Day 3: Pompidou & Arc de Triomphe & Dinner
Ireland Day 1: Glendalough & Cliffs of Moher
Ireland Day 2: Cliffs of Moher, Burren & Galway Bay
Ireland Days 3-5: Dublin

October: Chester at Paw-a-ween

Little Chester was such a good boy (for once), and really seemed to enjoy running around and seeing other pugs at the annual Halloween party put on by the rescue we adopted him from. He had a little reunion with his puppy mom Martha, and brothers Bubba and Albert. I loved seeing them all together. And Chester even kept his little lion costume on the whole time!
Weekend Recap: Paw-a-ween & Fam Visit

November: Vegas Vacation

At the end of the summer, we decided to embrace the DINK and go on a short vacation over Thanksgiving. It was perfect because we didn't have to take any time off of work! We had a blast in Vegas. I would definitely go back. I loved the Cirque du Soleil Love show, walking the Strip, renting a convertible and venturing to Death Valley, Hoover Dam, and the Valley of Fire. Seriously so much fun and we didn't even gamble! (Ok I gambled $5 that wasn't even my money)

Vegas Day 1: Arrival & Bellagio
Vegas Day 2: Thanksgiving on the Strip
Vegas Day 3: Death Valley National Park Part 1
Vegas Day 3: Death Valley National Park Part 2
Vegas Day 4: Hoover Dam
Vegas Day 4: Lake Mead & Valley of Fire
Vegas Day 4: Evening on the Strip
Vegas Day 5: Departure

December: Buying a brand new GMC Terrain!

Over Christmas we picked out a new GMC Terrain, then we changed our minds on needing a power lift gate (making leather necessary), had Clason's make a dealer trade, and picked up our 2013 GMC Terrain SLT the weekend before New Year's. It was a wonderful feeling to not have to finance something like this, though it may mean we can't go on as many trips as I wished this year. It was worth it though. Maybe this was the highlight of Adam's year?