January: Adam and I spent NYE in Utah where I had the nastiest cold. Luckily, it was the only time I got sick all year, but I was so tired NYE that I fell asleep at 9:30 so we didn’t get to ring in the new year with much excitement. While we were in Utah, we visited Salt Lake City, Park City, Midway, and St. George. We explored Zion National Park and admired the many depths and colors of Utah.
February: Adam and I celebrated Valentine’s Day in Victoria, Canada. We took the Victoria Clipper from Seattle and stayed in the cutest Airbnb in downtown Victoria. We explored the city a bit, ate delicious vegan food, and even saw a pod of porpoises on our way home! Adam’s brother got married at the end of February, too. It was so much fun. Love all around!
March: I started school full-time in January at my new university, so for spring break at the end of March, Adam and I went to Japan. It was awesome and I could totally see myself living there (for a while anyway). We saw the Snow Monkeys in Nagano, soaked in an onsen, visited a cat cafe in Tokyo, enjoyed the cherry blossoms, walked and walked and walked, and even met up with Kitty & Buck and her husband twice for delicious vegetarian food. Spring break well spent! (Speaking of Japan – I still have so many photos to share! *sigh* Someday…)
April: I share a birthday month with Adam which means for about two weeks, I’m two years older than him… He likes this. I don’t think we did anything too crazy for our birthdays since I was so busy with school, but we did take a few trips to Mount Rainier to play outside and get some exercise. I found the flowers below on campus. That tree is soooo beautiful in the spring!
May: Adam’s parents left on a 6-month sailing trip to Alaska. We moved out of our apartment and into their place to house-sit while they were away. Spending the summer on the lake was such a treat. We spent a lot of time out on the water. We tried yoga at the Chihuly Garden at the beginning of the month, too. Pretty pretty!
June: My little brother graduated high school, so Adam and I took a trip back to Wisconsin to celebrate. It’s always nice being able to spend some time with my family. Later in the month, my friends Brian and Jake came to Seattle for a visit. We went camping on the coast and explored every inch of the city.
July: For our anniversary, Adam surprised me and brought me to Squamish, BC. It’s one of our favorite places. He rented this adorable vintage camper. It was fun just cruising around the city and sleeping wherever we wanted to set up camp! Squamish is so dreamy.
August: My friends Ashley and Eric came to visit us in Seattle mid-August. Thankfully the weather was great while they were here. We explored a bunch and ate tons of delicious food. Later on in the month, our good friends Max and Sarah got married (on a ferry!). It was beautiful and we’re so happy for them! <3
October: Adam and I moved into a new place after his parents returned from their Alaska trip. We live in Belltown now, which is within walking distance of Pike Place Market and the Space Needle. It’s so nice! I love being able to walk to so many great places. Later in the month, Luke’s Diner (from Gilmore Girls) came to Seattle and I waited in line for two hours for free coffee. Yup. There was also the Corgi Halloween Parade of course!
November: I spent a lot of time in coffee shops. School was nearing an end for the quarter and I was swamped. The hard work paid off, though! Proud to say I earned straight A’s last quarter. That was not an easy feat. I got to play a little bit, though and visited the Northwest Chocolate Festival with my friends, Mirela and Mirzeta. Yum!
December: Freedom! I had about a month off school, so I tried to make the most of it. We went snowshoeing with Adam’s family, and I went home for Christmas. It was a nice break and I’m nervous to go back to school in a few days! Aside from the election (ugh), and normal anxiety and occasional breakdowns about school, it was a good year. I’m definitely looking forward to 2017, though. Lots to look forward to!
How was your year?
Sarah Kahr Richter says
Such a year, you remind me that there was a lot to love about it! 2017 will be an exciting one, I’m sure of it!!
Amanda says
Yes, girl! Yaaas!
Stephanie says
Looks and sounds like a lovely year. I really need to do one of these review posts next year. 🙂 I hope 2017 is wonderful for you!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thanks! I hope yours is, too!
Mitzie Mee says
Happy New Year! I remember your post about those cute, Japanese monkeys. Hope I get to see them myself this year. Wish you a fabulous 2017!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thanks, happy new year to you, too! 🙂 You should visit them! They’re so cute!
Fiona says
What a fun adventurous 2016!
HAPPY 2017!!!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thanks, girl! You too!
Tanja (the Red phone box travels) says
beautiful photos! and a great year! #travellinkup
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thanks, Tanja!
April | April Everyday says
It sounds like you had an amazing year! I’m dying to visit Canada and do a road trip through the rockies! And Japan sounds absolutely amazing too!
xo April | April Everyday
amandaaude@gmail.com says
I did indeed! Canada is amazing, but I’ve only seen the western half. Would love to explore the rest, for sure!
Maggie says
Sounds like you had a really fun year Amanda! I would love to visit Utah at some point and Japan is definitely high on my wish list – your photos look fantastic! Happy New Year and I hope it’s the beginning of an amazing year ahead!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thanks, Maggie! Utah and Japan are MUSTS! Happy New Year to you!
Sara says
YES! I’m not the only one who fell asleep before midnight, lol!!! You had lots of adventures this year; those pink flowers are gorgeous!! I love that you took advantage of one of the pop up coffee shops for Gilmore Girls!!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Haha it’s so hard to stay awake past 10pm these days. Oh, old age, isn’t it grand? 🙂 Thanks – I love those flowers, too. And yaaa it was so exciting!!!! Even though the revival suuuuucked in my opinion. 🙁
Laura says
What a year! Your photos are gorgeous! Zion looks breathtaking. My sister went a few summers ago and I have been wanting to visit myself!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thanks, Laura! Zion is so beautiful – one of my favorite National Parks, for sure!
Chris says
Lots of adventures and great pictures . The magnolia blossoms where beautiful. You do get around and I love hearing about all your trips . Thank you for coming to Arizona. I hope you took a few pictures of the mountains . Liz was so glad you could stop even for a few . We did go to the car show . Love you bunches and looking forward to the next visit .
amandaaude@gmail.com says
<3 I'm so glad we were able to visit!
Camila says
Okay, first, how did I never find your blog? I love it! Gorgeous photos and what an incredible year! Wishing you as much travel for the year ahead 🙂 I’ll now be looking around for a while to read more of your blog!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Aw, thanks, lady! I’m a terrible blogger and definitely need to post more often, but it’s rough when I’m in school. Hopefully, after I graduate, my blog will become a priority again! <3
Emily says
Wow, it looks like you had an incredible 2016 – I wish i had posted something similar! Gotta love that parachute photo 🙂
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thanks, it was a good year indeed!