100 Things that Made My Year
Adventure, art, travel and joyful things that made my year.
Reflecting on a year filled with creativity, family moments, and small joys. These 100 highlights remind me of how much life can fit into 12 months — big milestones, small wins, and everything in between.
I hope this list inspires you to pause and celebrate your own moments, too.
Piano lessons with Katherine.
Learning to play Clair de Lune, O Holy Night, and Yellow.
Ava’s piano recitals.
Art director for the school musical, Matilda 🎭 From sets to props to merch, I poured my heart into this project alongside Andrea and Connie.
Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak exhibit at the Denver Art Museum with my family on Christmas Eve. Leven for lunch after.
Wild Things movie quote by Dave Eggers “…one of the main things we talked about for year with the movie, was that kids are animals. They are feral beasts. They need to be given space to be wild and crazy…and pretend to be sword fighters, and pretend to be pirates, and pretend to be anything.”
“If anybody could prove to me that Mozart was God, I would believe in God forever.” — Maruice Sendak. Only an artist could say something like this. God is truly found in the most creative places.
Favorite movie this year: Maria by director Pablo Larraín and starring Angelina Jolie. It is about opera singer Maria Callas, and follows the seven days before her death in 1977 Paris as she reflects on her life and career. Beautiful and haunting.
Denver Nuggets game with my family 🏀
We cheered from a suite while they played the Milwaukee Bucks—a fun night!Spontaneous trip to Las Vegas for the Pac-12 basketball tournament.
CU football games.
Skiing with friends.
Learning to mountain bike.
Wake surfing in the mountains with dear friends.
🏈 Watching Joseph Play Flag Football: Cheering Joseph on during his flag football games was pure joy—seeing his focus and energy was infectious.
Watching Joseph play basketball.
Learning to play pickleball (and quitting:). I only have so much time.
Making a middle school decision for my son 📚 A thoughtful process to set him up for success and growth.
Sacramental preparation for my daughter’s First Holy Communion.
Playing Scrabble with my kids and mother-in-law.
Reading to the kids — Harry Potter and Percy Jackson
Baking: Pumpkin cookies, gingerbread cookies, pizzelle.
Designing our guest room. I had a clear vision for this room — Kelly Wearstler Proper Hotel Room in SF. Thank you to my design team at Istoria Interiors for their work in bringing this vision to life.
New doors in our current home. It is magic how this transform the feel of a house.
Experiencing true rest days as a family. Do nothing, puttering around the house days. We all love it when it happens.
I never miss a year with photographer Bridget Dorr for our family photo session. The effort it takes to plan the look and feel, to coordinate outfits, and to set the scene might seem like a hassle—but it’s not, really. It’s worth every moment. Having someone as talented as Bridget capture my family in a fleeting moment in time is priceless. The work always pays off, and the memories last forever.
Cousin Fest at the cabin. Teaching cousins to wake surf, laughing as we float on a ridiculously oversized sloth floaty, and soaking up the sun on the lake isn’t just fun—it’s what I consider true self-care.
Thanksgiving day hike with family in Topanga Canyon followed by a light breakfast at Cafe Mimosa.
Drawing 101. I took a 17-week class, attended 12 sessions, and still learned so much. Despite missing a few, I unlocked enough knowledge to confidently apply my refreshed skills to my art. It’s all about deciding what to draw and practicing. In 2025, my focus is simple: more practice, more growth, more art.
Sourcing a vintage textile printing screen from A Few of a Kind Mercantile in Niwot, CO. It is beautiful and currently residing at my mountain house.
Wrapping a frame in fabric for small art works and quickly deciding I would not be making for these for the 2024 holiday season. I am going to attempt making them through out the year, so when the holidays come around, they are available. I learned trying to do this right before the holiday season was madness.
Creating a huge balloon garland to celebrate Ava’s birthday. A big mass of balloons are delightful.
Making cyanotype prints. So much more to come with this medium.
Making flower still-life art outdoors with natural light.
Creating my rose garden art series for my living room wall.
Selling six art pieces this year. I have a yearly art sales goal that is always the same: one. I love beating a sales goal.
I love to read. Here is a selection of my favorites of the year: Anna: The Biography, Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch, The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah, Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten, Loving Frank by Nancy Horan, Super Communicators by Charles Duhigg.
Praying more.
Books I started and will finish in 2025 — Art + Faith by Makoto Fujimara, How to Become a Straight - A Student by Cal Newport, The Courage to be Disliked by Kishmi and Fumitake, Second Class by Batya Ungar-Saro, Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza, The Conservative Heart by Arthur Brooks
Daily Stoic emails.
Discovering Arthur Brooks.
Life Inspiration (Cillian Murphy):
“My life is very simple. I read a lot of books. I watch a lot of movies. Listen to a lot of music. Walk the dog. Cook with my family.”Art trip to Mexico City with Anthony 🇲🇽
From Chapultepec Castle to CASA LUIS BARRAGÁN, every corner was filled with inspiration.Annual family surf camp in Costa Rica. Walking barefoot on the beach every morning — nothing grounds me more
Annual trip to South Carolina. For 11 years, we have spent a few days in North Myrtle beach visiting grandparents. It’s a tradition I treasure upholding for my family.
Discovering Leclair's General Store in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Cabo with friends. I am not one for girls trips. I like to travel with my family or alone. I had a lovely time doing nothing and connecting with other women and it was refreshing.
Italian wedding cookie bar.
Attending a private CU event with Deion Sanders. He once said “I am not a man of worry. I am a man of faith.” I have never forgotten that and try to remember it in times of worry.
Taylor Swift Eras Tour in Indianapolis with Ava, my sister and niece.
Planning a surprise 40th birthday party for my sister.
Surprise birthday dinner party by Anthony. He invited some of my nearest and dearest for a lovely time at Steakhouse 316.
Planning the father-daughter dance at school.
Setting the table for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve dinners.
Doctors and friends who supported my health journey. It was an interesting year on the health front, and I am so grateful to everyone who helped me get to the bottom of my situation.
My Marriage. This year, Anthony and I took intentional steps—both individually and together—to strengthen our bond and deepen our connection.
Acupuncture with Melissa.
Intentional attendance at holiday events.
The idea of playing for a living. And this quote: “We’re not playing to win, we’re playing to play. And ultimately, playing is fun. Perfectionism gets in the way of fun. A more skillful goal might be to find comfort in the process. To make and put out successive works with ease.”
Freshly baked scones from Suti and Boxcar in Boulder.
Discovering CrossFit Roots.
Installing art in a new client’s gorgeous home.
Attending an art party for Victoria Newton-King a South African Bronze Sculptor. Anthony purchased a lion paw relief she made from a paw print at Lion Sands Game Reserve in Sabi Sands.
Acquiring a painting by Casey Hebb titled “Rise”
Leica Q3 43 — Christmas gift from Anthony and the kids. IN LOVE.
Photoshoot of my home spaces.
Erica Simon Jewelry — I collect jewelry from Erica and this year added a French Love pendant with a watch chain to make a necklace. Stunning and a favorite piece I wear often.
📷 Film Photography: I rekindled my love for instant and disposable film cameras.
Playing and napping with my dogs.
Coffee dates with artist friends.
Looking at houses with our agent, Richard. He is on the side of angels.
The dancing walking man 🕺 His joy on our main road never fails to make me smile.
Homemade baked scones and 4th of July berry pie.
Mini puzzles (less than 100 pieces).
Beautiful cakes from Shamane’s Bake Shop.
Designated Survivor (Seasons 1 & 2). Season three was a waste of time.
The Martha Stewart Documentary.
Rewatching Ted Lasso.
Binging political family dynasty docuseries — Kennedy and Bush families. I now have a new appreciation for what it means to be the President of the United States.
Watching Twisters with my daughter. Her fascination with extreme weather events amuses me.
House of the Dragon season 3 and its companion podcast.
🎵 Music Influence: Ava’s playlists introduced me to Benson Boone and Noah Kahan.
New house!
New house renovation kickoff!
Leadership training.
Meeting the governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro
500-piece puzzles.
Coffee dates with Anthony
Making complicated friendship bracelets.
Making pretty beaded bracelets with charms.
Friends who hosted us for dinner. We are grateful and willing dinner guests.
My YPO spouse forum.
My strength coach, Dominique.
Gavin and Eric – my surf coaches.
My dad attending Grand Day at my kids’ school.
WhatsApp messages with friends.
My cut flower garden – the dahlias were brilliant this year.
Making cake pops for Ava’s school birthday celebration.
Sewing Camp Creations: The adorable things Ava made at sewing camp were pure joy.
🥂 Champagne Moments: Simple celebrations made special with a glass of champagne.
Dancing to DJ Jen G.'s set on the 4th of July for the third year in a row was an absolute blast. Her energy, seamless transitions, and unbeatable vibe made my body move with joy.
Looking back, this list feels like a treasure chest of experiences, creativity, and connection. It’s a reminder that the smallest moments can hold the most meaning.
Now it’s your turn:
What were some of your standout moments this year? Hit reply and share – I’d love to hear!
Here’s to another year of showing up fully, savoring the small joys, and embracing the adventures ahead.
Thank you for reading.