Well hello, 2017...(and a farewell to a spectacular year of adventure).

To be completely honest I can't quite wrap my head around 2017 yet. 

So instead, I'm going to talk a little bit about 2016.  On January 1st, 2016 we set off on adventure, exploring the California coastline.  And it was amazing.  And we made a pact that we were going to try to travel more.  Our kids turned 5 and 7 in 2016, and it really felt like travel was just beginning to feel like less of a overwhelming prospect.
 
 So we made an effort to travel more.  At first we just explored areas local to us.  Places like Redwood Regional Park in Oakland:

and Mt. Diablo too.

But ultimately, we got to thinking that the timing was right to go and visit my husband's family in Argentina. With a bit of major budgeting (and some major airline deals) we were able to make the trip happen. This was the trip that I hinted about in November/December last year, and I'm so excited to show you pictures today!  We spent two weeks in Argentina in late November early November...and it was spectacular!

We visited the capital, Buenos Aires.

 We also flew to see the glaciers in Patagonia...

Can I tell you how proud I am of my kids?  They handled tons of travel time, as well as walking time like complete champs.  Even more fulfilling was the fact that they seemed to genuinely enjoy and appreciate the places they got to visit.

We ended our trip in Cordoba, which is the town where my husband grew up.  My kids were able to meet 3 of their great grandparents as well as numerous cousins, and other family members.  Truly, special moments.

 They saw the house my husband grew up in.  The house their grandmother grew up in.  They played in the same creek that their dad played in when he was little.

When we left my kids were crying, because they were so sad to say goodbye to the country and the family that they'd quickly come to love.  They truly understood what it was like to have their heart split between two places.  

I have many fond memories from our travels in 2016, both near and far.  But now, looking forward to 2017, I can also appreciate the year for other reasons as well. We made goals.  We decided we wanted to travel more. And then we set to make that happen...even if it was just visiting places less than an hour away.  

At first, we thought it'd be years until we'd travel to Argentina.  When we really sat down and tried to figure out the budget though, we realized that with some thrifty choices and budgeting we could make it happen.   I've come to realize that having strong goals, and then shooting for them, has led to some of the most rewarding aspects of my life.

So now, it's 2017.  For us the year started with a quiet evening at home.  Not exactly the same as the dramatic views along highway 1 on the California coast line. It's ok though.  

I'm starting to make a list.  Reassess priorities.  And maybe even think about an adventure or two, and get myself back into the gym and making more healthy eating choices.

What about you?  What are your new year's resolutions?

What do you want to see more of on this blog? I'd love to know!  Happy 2017 everyone!

XOXO, 

Jill