6. We surprised the kids with a big trip to California in July, complete with a Disneyland trip and a trip to Laguna and Long Beach. We created a scavenger hunt that had them answering Disney clues all around the house, and left for Minneapolis an hour later, anxious to fly out bright and early the next morning. We had the time of our lives together and I will never forget dressing Mila up in her Elsa dress for a night on Main Street USA, and watching Cruz get lost in the ocean waves of the Pacific. California lived up to the hype.
7. I turned 33 in August and spent a wonderful weekend under the stars with the Guess clan. We canoed, watch our babies play in the river, told tales around the fire, and slept in tents on a picture perfect plot of land at Pulpit Rock Campground in Decorah. We had some big trips this year, but this little overnight on a perfect summer night in Iowa ranked as one of our highlights of our summer.
8. I was blessed to become part of the IF:Cedar Valley team this fall and joined six other wonderful women to Dallas for a weekend with Jennie Allen, Jill Briscoe, Jo Saxton, and several other inspiring women of faith. We had one epic road trip in Jess' "fun bus", spent hours getting to know each other in the car, in hotel rooms, and in cozy Texas diner booths, and felt refreshed, encouraged, and ready to let God lead us in 2018. It feels right that God led me to these women and to be part of a ministry that has been such a catalyst for me. IF Gathering 2018 is coming to the Cedar Valley February 9-10 and I can hardly wait to see how God moves.
9. Last year on New Year's Eve, we painted the basement bedrooms on cement floors. This year, we have carpet, shiplap, a home theater, and a pretty rad bar my talented hubby built on his own. This space was a labor of love let me tell you and was a point of contention for the better part of our year, but I am thankful my persistent better half kept on pushing. The space is big and cozy and I cannot wait to get started on decorating it. By next Christmas, we'll be ready for a couple more Christmas trees. ;)
10. It wouldn't be a top ten without mention of all the little adventures, too! I enjoyed another summer off with my two favorite tag-alongs, and we went on our fair share of picnics, pool dates, and playground adventures. We got the kids a trampoline, which proved to be the best purchase of our year, and Cruz formed quite the bond with a gang of boys from our cul de sac. I planted a big bed of fresh cut flowers, and continued to overgrow kale and tomatoes in our garden. Cruz started soccer and piano, Mila took up dance and twirly dresses, we traveled to Purdue University so Mila could be a flower girl in her favorite teacher's wedding, and the Cubs dang near made it to the World Series again!
That's a wrap! Here we come, '18!
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