What a year...I would say that 2009 was a year of personal growth for me. I know I'll always be evolving and changing, but this year was the year where I finally felt like I came into "my own" - I'm exactly who I want to be at this point in my life, and that's awesome! This year was also a busy year in terms of family, both good and bad. I had successes, I had points where I felt incredibly sad, I fell so much more in love with Hank, and I got closer with my family and figured out life a little more! 2009 was great for me. With that said, I'd like to take a journey through this past year, month by month, via my flickr.

Because I take so many photos, I am going to break this up into three different segments. I'll do the second later this week, and the third next week.

Here's Part One! I tried to include a little bit of everything, but even doing that I'm still leaving out a lot of things. If you're so inclined, you can always visit my Flickr account if you'd like to see every little bit!

January 2009

I rang in the New Year with some of my closest friends in Tucson, AZ. I am not really a fan of Tucson by any means, but Hank's band played a house show down there so south we went to the desert. I love going to shows, but these kind of shows- where it's kind of a wild free for all and I know it's not even safe to wear cute clothes- is not my type of fun whatsoever. I'm talking the kind of show at a punk house with beer flying everywhere (RIP pink Canon Powershot), firecrackers going off indoors, and sweaty people all over the place. Seriously my own personal nightmare. I like to have fun just as much as the next person, but this is not fun to me! But, we made the best of it and ended up having a decent night.

Adie, Amber and me in our hotel


at the show- what's up Thirst Buster cups?


my main squeeze and me- he is post-set and sweaty. I am post-beer being thrown everywhere and icky.


outside by the bonfire


My sister also turned 24 in January, and I planned a little dinner party for her and our friends at Olive and Ivy in Scottsdale, and than a little night on the town. It was a lot of fun!

at dinner


the whole table








In January we also moved into a new place-and here is a photo I took while totally annoyed with packing.


Our old house during an insane snowstorm in January


Snow!





In January my dad unfortunately had a horrible heart attack and was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital. He was revived twice, but was in a coma for awhile, and the doctors warned us he probably wouldn't make it, and if he did, he'd be extremely brain damaged. I'm happy to say that today he has made a full recovery, after having a quadruple bypass. Here's a photo of my dad, pre-surgery. He was in the hospital for weeks prior to this, and that cut on his head was from the massive fall he took during the attack. I am so grateful he is alive!


February 2009

February was a much better month- my Dad was feeling better so that made everything so much brighter. I also love Valentine's Day!







We celebrated my dear friend Erin's birthday with a barbeque at her house, complete with yummy veggie dogs and boardgames. So fun.







the birthday girl!


We also marched in a "Save Our Schools" rally that my friend Robyn organized during the beginning of the educational budget cuts.








March 2009

In March Hank and I did a bit of traveling and visited California to stay with our best friends Autumn, Jason, and their daughter (and my god-daughter) Chloe. They live in downtown Long Beach, right on the beach, and we always have the best time whenever we visit them. We also went to LA first to visit Adie and the KAWS exhibit at Honor-Fraser.

































We also went to Disneyland, one of my most favorite places in the world! We always have such a great time whenever we go- I think it's a really cutesty, romantic place and Hank and I could literally spend a week there. And we actually have before, thanks to his Mom!












I'm too small to see! hah


I saw Mirah with some of my girlfriends-






Later that week we also celebrated Zoe's birthday! (and Nick's too) :)


This month I visited my parents' even more than usually do to all the vacation time, and did a lot of relaxing!






While back in Phoenix I hung out with friends, baked, went to shows...

















April 2009

Suki came to visit us for the millionth time- she is the best friend!


She helped me chaperone Prom!









I spent Easter at my parents' house- it was really fun! Unfortunately Hank was on tour but it was still a great weekend!










it was sunny, and perfect romper weather!


it was rainy...and perfect weather for frozen yogurt!



I got on a huge Kashi Go Lean cereal kick.



Hank and I spent a lot of time outdoors.




















I watched my friend Jenn take off on a bike race!


I got another tattoo by Cory :)



As always, wonderful friends came into town!








Phew! That was a lot of work, haha. The next installment will be May-August which were insane travel months for us! This is really fun and is bringing back some fantastic memories.

If anyone would like to do this with me, please do! I'd love to read all about your 2009!