Favorite Moments and Memories of 2024

 Oh 2024... it was a challenging year for sure but we had so many fabulous moments and memories. I fully admit that many of my favorite memories this year have no pictures-- like Easter dinner with the family, Alec's acceptance day at JWU, etc. But I am more interested in being present these day then I am in getting the exact perfect photo.

In January we started the year with a big family breakfast out to lunch before my sister and nephews headed home.

It's an awful picture but we were all laughing because my mom tried 4 times to get us all in there!

Then a week or so later my husband and I did get to go on our cruise (we weren't sure right up until the last minute since my mother in law was in the hospital just before we left). 

Roatan

Grand Cayman


We celebrated Alec's 18th birthday nearly a full month late in February but he didn't mind.


Evan got his license in February.


And we checked out a new hiking trail.


Alec presented his Senior Culinary Arts Project (SCAP) and we had a delicious Greek dinner he designed, priced, cooked, and served.



In March, we went to my sister in law's first art show opening (in the pouring rain).


We attended an accepted student day at Johnson and Wales with Alec.


And hosted Easter dinner at the last minute when my younger sister and her family decided to drive up from North Carolina for a visit.



In April there were some beautiful sunrises.


We went to play Bingo at Foxwoods



We watched the solar eclipse




I also went on a super fun girl's weekend and got to meet a few of my favorite bloggers in person in Nashville Tennessee




We hiked Mt. Wachusett



We watched Alec in his last track and field season.


And celebrated Ian turning 20



May found us eating out a lot... 

first we enjoyed our final lunch at the school run restaurant where Alec was our waiter. 


He had his senior prom.


And I took my mom out for a mother's day lunch.


June was all about graduation and vacation.

We started the month with a graduation party for Alec.




Then my husband and I went to Acadia National Park in Maine for a few days.






We came home to senior awards night and graduation.




July started with a trip to the beach for me and the younger two boys. We spent 2 days in Little Compton Rhode Island with friends




We came home to some 4th of July celebrations with the family.



I celebrated my birthday.


The younger boys and I spent a hot day at the botanical gardens and had the best time!




We had one last graduation/birthday party to attend.


August had Evan, my husband, and I hiking up Mt. Wachusett 



We dropped Alec off at college





And had a family kayak ride (minus Alec who was already at school)



I started September at a comedy show with my husband; we had a lovely overnight at Foxwoods and saw Fluffy perform.



We hiked Castle Craig.




We attended the 21 Pilots Clancy World Tour concert and had the BEST time!




We celebrated Evan's 17th birthday & started touring colleges for him. 



October found us hiking with friends (nearly every week!)

purgatory chasm

Mansfield hollow

Leadmine trail

We also enjoyed parents' weekend at Alec's college



In November we spent a night in Maine and toured another college with Evan.



Ian and my husband went deep sea fishing and Ian caught the biggest fish on the boat!


We celebrated Thanksgiving-- this will forever be remembered as the year the Pyrex dish exploded in the oven and we had no squash to eat. 




In December

 Alec wrapped up his first semester at college with a cake decorating final.


I have no photos but Ian finished up his degree entirely and graduated! 

We went to Hawaii! We spent 5 days on Maui and 5 on the Big Island. 

Kamaole Beach I

the summit of Haleakala National Park

Black sand beach, Maui 

Humpback whales on our snorkel tour, Maui

Kula botanical gardens, Maui

Sitting on the patio at the house rental on the big island; listening to the waves.. 

Seeing the volcano eruption on the big island


Hiking out to the green sand beach on the big island. 


Linking up with: Final Fridays, 





Comments

  1. csuhpat1December 27, 2024 at 12:58 PM

    Looks like you had an amazing year. Very cool.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jodie's Touch of StyleDecember 27, 2024 at 1:48 PM

    Wow, wow, wow. I used to worry about getting the perfect photo, but now just getting a photo reminds me of the fabulous days. Plus, I always like the ones where were are talking, laughing and doing stuff.
    XOXO
    Jodie

    ReplyDelete
  3. JoyceDecember 27, 2024 at 2:34 PM

    Hawaii looks fabulous! Hope you had a wonderful time! Happy new year!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lydia C. LeeDecember 27, 2024 at 4:01 PM

    Glad you got to go on your Cruise. And sounds like a wonderful year with Graduations and Colleges. But Big Island's volcano is the winner for me. I LOVED the Big Island. Lava wasn't going into the sea when we were there but it is my dream to see it. Just an amazing place with really great people. Their ideas about equity and looking after the poor and homeless is really wonderful to see in action. Strong sense of social responsibility. And beautiful nature to boot! #WBOYC

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 27, 2024 at 10:53 PM

      The lava wasn't flowing into the sea when we were there but the caldera up Volcano House was for just 2 or 3 days and we lucked out to get to see it.

      Delete
  5. Jo TraceyDecember 27, 2024 at 5:28 PM

    What a year it's been! So many adventures and celebrations. Thank you for sharing your year with us each month. It's been lovely spending the time with you and getting to know you a little better through your posts and the connection. All the very best for 2025!

    ReplyDelete
  6. GretaDecember 27, 2024 at 7:01 PM

    Wow--so many great family memories, Joanne! Really fun seeing your pictures! Alec's decorated cake is gorgeous! I'd say he will have a successful future! Hope you had a great Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  7. NatalieDecember 27, 2024 at 7:38 PM

    What a fantastic year 2024 you've had, Joanne. Congrats to your sons on their achievements and to the proud parents! I love Hawaii. Your photos brought back memories. Thank you for your weekend coffee share. Best wishes for 2025!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jennifer JonesDecember 27, 2024 at 8:19 PM

    So many wonderful memories of 2024 here. That menu your son planned and cooked looks fabulous. I have really enjoyed getting to know you this year and look forward to spending more time with you in 2025.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Women Living Well After 50December 27, 2024 at 10:16 PM

    HI Joanne, what a wonderful year making memories in 2024. You all look so happy and certainly fit so much into life. Congratulations to your Sons on their achievements during the year. You should be so proud. Thanks for joining us and supporting us each month for our #WOYBS and #WBOYC link ups and I look forward to you joining us again in 2025.

    ReplyDelete
  10. MarshaDecember 27, 2024 at 11:36 PM

    Your year was so full of love, family, and adventures! I do hope you'll share more about your Hawaii trip!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 28, 2024 at 12:36 AM

      Aw, thank you! I definitely have at least 10 Hawaii posts planned. :)

      Delete
  11. Tanya December 28, 2024 at 12:19 AM

    What a year! I agree about some of the best moments not being in photos. I can't wait to hear more about Hawaii. How awesome to see the volcano. When we went, it was inactive and foggy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 28, 2024 at 12:37 AM

      We have had remarkably clear weather and lucked out that we were here during the only 3 days this month it has been active!

      Delete
  12. Denyse Whelan.December 28, 2024 at 1:51 AM

    What a big year Joanne, and you have captured the family times and accomplishments so very well. I love that you got to go to The Big Island. I did in Jan 2006 but did not get to see the volcano ..a long story! Wishing you and yours a wonderful 2025 and I'm sure we will be catching up blog wise from time to time. Denyse

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thistles and KiwisDecember 28, 2024 at 2:50 AM

    Looks like a great year.

    ReplyDelete

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