I know so many people can't wait to say good-bye to 2020 and really, who could blame them?! It was an unprecedented year for sure, but it wasn't all bad. In fact my boys have told me many times that they didn't think 2020 was a bad year at all-- they have had so much fun.
Today I'll be linking up with Carrie from A Stylish Fit to list 20 things worth celebrating from 2020
In no real order here are the 20:
1. We celebrated Alec's birthday with a fun shopping trip to Ikea, a mom & son lunch out, a party with his friends, and a grandparent/family party!
2. We met up with friends of ours early in the year for a really fun day of bowling that ended with us all hanging around Dunkin Donuts visiting and catching up.
3. We went on so many hikes; probably more than any other year and many of them were with friends and family.
4. We replaced the flooring in Ian's room and completely re-did Alec's room (flooring, walls, and bed).
5. I had so much extra time for crafting and made so many gifts using the Circut. I also got completely caught up on all my scrapbooking.
6. We tried out a crazy amount of new recipes-- like tiramisu, brownie waffles with homemade raspberry swirl ice cream, and gourmet candy apples.
7. My husband and I went away overnight to Maine to celebrate my birthday with some shopping, some delicious food, and some sight seeing.
8. We went kayaking quite a bit this year sometimes just us and sometimes with family and friends.
9. We spent a wonderful 4th of July at the lake with the whole family and saw some beautiful fireworks displays too.
10. Alec became a red belt in karate and started at a new karate school with his favorite teacher.
11. Ian got both his learner's permit and his driver's license a few months after that.
12.. Alec applied to a local high school, got into their culinary program, and proceeded to get all A's landing himself in all honor's courses.
13. We celebrated Evan turning 13 with a party at the lake with all his closest friends.
14. Evan and I had a fabulous, fun day with friends learning how to cook pizza in a cob oven and the pizzas were amazing!
15. My husband and I spent a few of our day dates hiking-- once on Mother's day and again hiking Mt. Wachusett. We love spending time together just the two of us.
16. We played lots of family games, put together a bunch of puzzles, and watched a lot of movies from the comfort of our own couch.
17. We went roller skating a time or two with our homeschooling friends for the rink's homeschool skate program.
18. We spent a delightful afternoon snowshoeing with some other family members.
19. We had a few small gatherings for Christmas and had a great time with a more relaxed vibe this year.
20. We bought a few new "toys" too-- a "new to us" jet ski and a "new to us" Ranger. We've had fun tooling around the woods! Our jet ski didn't get used though as it was immediately brought back to where we bought it from and they spent 99% of the summer rebuilding it. We look forward to using it a lot next year!
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| The old and new jet ski getting taken out for the fall/winter |
Linking Up With: Mid-week link up, Spread the Kindness,
When I read this post, it reminded me once again, that life is beautiful....though these times have been more simple, what is most important is that we are surrounded by those we love most- really enjoyed this post :)
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you!
DeleteI love that you had a glorious year, even within a pandemic! I am also a bit jealous that you live close enough to Maine to do an overnight (and got to visit LL Bean!). :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I can't deny that living close enough to make Maine a quick trip is pretty sweet!
DeleteYou had quite a busy and wonderful year with friends, family and the two of you. Happy 2021 in making more memories.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Wishing you and your family a wonderful 2021 also, Kitty!
DeleteI'm so glad you were able to still have some fun this year! It's good to look back at the positives of the year. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to look back and see all the more "normal" moments of our year.
DeleteSo many good things in this post! It looks like despite the pandemic and restrictions you had a wonderful year! Wishing you a Happy New Year! Cheers to 2021!
ReplyDeleteJill - Doused in Pink
We really did!
DeleteThis was a wonderful post to read this morning, Joanne. I love seeing all the good moments your family had in 2020.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI love that you chose to share all the good things.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I try to stay on the positive side of things.
DeleteSo many good memories from a not-so-good year. And so many accomplishments for your boys with all of the added challenges! Best wishes for 2021!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It was quite the year of accomplishments.
DeleteLots of great memories there. Those brownie waffles look the business and snowshoeing looks like fun! Here's to 2021.
ReplyDeleteThe brownie waffles were delicious; but not so easy to get out of the waffle maker.
DeleteThat flower shadow box is beautiful! This year was different, but still so many good memories!
ReplyDeleteThank you! My mom loved it.
DeleteI love that you bought some new toys...they will get a lot of good use I bet!!
ReplyDeleteIt was a good time to try new recipes...we did that too.
OXOX
Jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
We have used the Ranger just about every weekend already.
DeleteSo many happy things - it brightened my morning to read your post. Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy new year.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Thank you, Amalia; wishing you and your family a happy and healthy new year was well.
DeleteLooks like you and your family had a good year despite this strange year. Have a great New Years Eve!
ReplyDeleteWe did!
DeleteSo much amazing this year!!
ReplyDeleteThere sure was.
DeleteY'all had a great year! A lot of togetherness! lol We have a Polaris as well and we love it!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year - hoping this one is a good one for you and your family!
Take care,
Melissa | Little Frugal Homestead
We are so used to all the togetherness that it didn't even phase us. My boys are now trying to talk me into getting a Polaris Razor but I don't think that's going to happen; at least the Ranger is useful for yard work and hauling woods.
DeleteWow! You packed a lot into this bizarre year! I loved seeing the photos of your family spending time outdoors. And oh, those candy apples. Yum!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! They were so delicious; next year I said we were making more than per person.
DeleteLove your take on this prompt. All happy memories. I remember some of those delicious treats, that ice cream!! Was slightly jealous at the number of hikes you were able to take - our parks were closed - and your 4th of July get together. That Mother's Day craft made me smile then and now. Thanks for linking up with us.
ReplyDeleteI think living in such a rural area definitely helped with things being able to stay open a bit more-- especially outdoor spaces. I only know of a handful that closed and even then we could park outside and still use the grounds.
DeleteWell, I just want to stay in your blog because you made 2020 look totally normal & fun!!! :)
ReplyDeleteMy 2021 goal is to try new recipes so you're encouraging me with that
LOL. Thank you! We sure tried to keep our year as normal feeling as possible. It wasn't always easy to do but we embraced normal whenever we could.
DeleteLooks like you did have a great year. My kids both told me if Covid happened when they were young they would have loved it because they both hated school and would have loved not to have gone.
ReplyDeleteLOL. That is so funny! My youngest niece has been loving being home and not in school and yet my oldest niece misses her friends and being in the building.
DeleteJoAnne,
ReplyDeleteI always say that life is what you make it and even though this year was like no other before it, you managed to enjoy it , have great family times creating memories and seemed to create the best year that you could possible have!! Good for you!! Thanks so much for stopping by!! And thanks for all your kind words through out the year!! Happy New Year!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Aw, thank you! I have focused a lot these past 8-9 years of homeschooling to teach my boys to live in the moment and enjoy the small things; lessons that are best learned through seeing me live what I preach.
DeleteWhat a sweet year! It makes sense that your family thought it was good. It was! Those desserts all look delicious. Thank you so much for linking up! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteWe ate waay to many delicious desserts this year!
DeleteI'm posting a similar post to this in a couple days! Love the review of the year.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI really liked your take on all the good in 2020. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWhat a fun and inspiring post, Joanne! I need to sit down and make a list of 20 positives from last year as well. I don't know if I will blog it, but I certainly need the perspective for myself. I am exhausted from harboring negativity. I need all the positive things now! Thank you for that and for linking with me!
ReplyDeleteShelbee
www.shelbeeontheedge.com
You're welcome! Thanks for hosting.
Delete