Smith Family: 2017

Admittedly I have not kept up with the blog as much in 2017 as in years past. It certainly isn't for lack of content (we snapped thousands of photos this year) -- it's probably a combination of shifting priorities and trying to be present more and "work" less. I started this so that Colton and Hollyn will always be able to look back on their childhood and remember being kids. I don't want to stop blogging but do admit that posting for every event and holiday may not be sustainable. I also realize that life isn't really about big events and holidays -- it's the normal days. The ones that seem to pass by without anyone noticing. Those are the days that will weave the memories of their childhood. The year 2017 was filled with both. So instead of going back and adding 25 posts, I'll summarize some of our year here.

We traveled this year -- our first family cruise. We left Puerto Rico and enjoyed the Eastern Caribbean. Later this year, the very places we visited would be severely impacted by hurricanes, a weather event for the record books. We also visited G and Mimi in Florida, then enjoyed a trip over Memorial Day with CC and Papa to Keuka Lake. This trip has proven to be life-changing as we made an offer to purchase a lake house.

As a child our family visited the Adirondacks every summer, this started because my Dad did the same growing up. These memories have drawn me to lakes. I can still smell the camp fire at lakeside and still picture my dad sitting on the dock with a puzzle book. I remember always hoping, one day, to have a lake house. In college and my early 20s, I spent summers in NH on Lake Winnipesaukee with my mom and Mike. After their move to East Aurora, came our love for Canandaigua. The first summer Jason and I dated, we spent the 4th of July there thanks to my mom. We began visiting Canandaigua annually -- celebrating Memorial Day and my mom's birthday every year. I even competed in the Finger Lakes Triathlon (the same year my sister became a vineologist). When Colton was born, we decided to visit Keuka Lake. We fell in love with Keuka and Hammondsport.

When renting lake houses over the years, we always talked about what we would change, what we would do if we owned a place. We rented countless houses and somehow Papa always fixing something mechanical and Jason always ended up rewiring the AV. The conversation always went to -- we should just buy our own place. As quick as we said it, we dismissed the idea. Until 2016. We traveled with friends to Deep Creek Maryland and I read real estate books. Jason and I started to ponder the idea of purchasing our own place. Two years of reading real estate books and stalking Zillow listings across all the finger lakes, we set out to look at homes with a realtor Memorial Day weekend 2017.

My mom saw 11600 E Lake first, we happened to be renting the house next door. She noticed the 'For Sale' sign and thought the house was well kept, also noting the red geraniums in planters. Two days later we made an offer. We closed in August, just before our friends vacation to Sea aisle City, NJ, and took occupancy in December. As I wrote in Jason's Christmas card this year, there are a years in my life that will forever be special. 2005 - the year we started dating (to which Jason always replies "We're dating?"; 2009 - the year we were engaged and married; 2010 - the year we built out home; 2011 - the year of Colton; 2013 - the year of Hollyn; and 2017 - the year of 11600 E Lake. May this home bring us endless memories and be a place for all of our family and friends. Cheers to 2017 for being the year of this huge milestone.

Now for the other moments.
- Hollyn went through a phase of dressing like a tutu wearing, bedazzles punk rocker. Daily. Even in public.
- Colton became obsessed with Pokemon cards. We have hundreds.
- Jason fulfilled a lifelong dream to attend the air show in Oshkosh, WI.
- Hollyn, who was a bashful dancer in 2016, became a confident little dancer who mastered her steps to Good Ship Lollipop
- Colton learned how to ride a 2-wheel bicycle
- Hollyn's favorite place on earth is at her desk doing her work. It regularly looks like a disaster but she loves it.
- Colton could be a professional movie watcher. Hollyn, not so much.
- Colton went ice skating for the 2nd time and took off without the walker
- Hollyn is constantly asking Jason to take her on a date to Duff's, Billy Bees, and PJ Cools.

I'll update the soon with a few snapshots of the big and little moments.