2018 in 12 Images
DIGITAL CHRISTMAS CARD
Wow! I can’t believe it’s that time of the year again. Maybe my New Year’s Resolution should be to blog more, ha! Since there is only 1 blog post between last year’s top 12 highlights and this one. It was a busy year after all. I still love capturing my top 12 highlights of the year as a time to reflect and journal various memories I never want to forget. Especially this year, so much to be grateful for!
“Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear. ”
#1 MOVED TO CALIFORNIA // No doubt the biggest highlight of the year, maybe my life. It had been a dream of Danny & I to do a big move out west. I am so happy to report it was 10000% worth it. Everyday it’s roughly 75 degrees, filled with beaches, tacos and magical marine life. Surreal pretty much covers it.
#3 FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY // This guy is everything I need. No doubt this year has been filled with exciting adventures, but honestly what I am most grateful for is how happy I feel very day to come home. Mushy, mushy forever!
#5 SAN FRANCISCO TRIP // First time visiting SF. Started the trip with dim sum in china town, explored Muir Woods and took a beautiful walk along the Golden Gate. I can’t wait to go back, I feel like we barely put a dent in our SF bucket list.
#7 SURFER GIRL // This year I tried surfing for the first time ever. Key world there being, tried. First and most likely last, ha! I’m proud to check it off my bucket list, being a Kansas girl who only saw the ocean a few years ago after all. But damn, it was HARD.
#9 MOM VISITS SD // No doubt a highlight of my year was my Mom coming to visit us in San Diego. It was her first time to California and it was special to be the one to show her how freaking awesome it is. (Move to California Mom, cough cough)
#11 OCEAN KAYAKING // First time kayaking on the open ocean! La Jolla Sea Caves are not a bad view. In June, Danny and I went kayaking out to La Jolla Sea Caves and then dropped anchors to snorkel. Then in October, when my Mom came to visit we also took her kayaking. She was nervous at first, but ended up loving it.
#2 NEW JOB // The main motivator for the move out to California was accepting a new position as a Senior Designer at Elum Designs. Elum’s offices are in San Diego, California which means a few weeks after my interview Danny & I were driving across the country for our biggest adventure yet. Everyday is filled with illustrating for letterpress greeting cards, adorable stationery and designing lifestyle products. It’s a dream!
#4 ETSY SHOP // I’ve wanted to start an Etsy for years, but always put it off. This year I finally did it, and I began to build up my own personal brand — Elle.Dot Studio. Named after my mother & grandmother. Hoping to grow this venture in 2019! Check it out here.
#6 WELCOME KANOA // On March 10th, 2018 my first ever niece was born! Welcome little Kanoa Mae to the world. William is loving being a big brother, while squeezing her cheeks telling her how cute she is.
#8 SNORKELING THE COVE // This year captured a lot of firsts, including my first time snorkeling in the ocean. Then my second and then my third. I have a feeling this one is going to be a reoccurring new hobby. Nothing like swimming beside seals through a school of garibaldi fish.
#10 MR & MRS ROETTER // My dear friend Audrey got married! Of course it was the coolest wedding I’ve ever been in or to for that matter. I’m so happy for Audrey and Chris as they’ve entered married life — and grateful I got to be apart of their big day.
#12 CALI ADVENTURES // We have only lived in California for 9 months but we have covered a lot of ground so far. Couple day trips to Los Angeles, couple road trips to Julian and my favorite — a weekend trip to Joshua Tree. The National Park straddles the cactus-dotted Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert. Wonderful days filled with great friends and star filled skies.
BONUS HIGHLIGHTS
It was hard to narrow down to 12, so for the first time ever I am adding a bonus section!
