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16 in 2016: What Happened and What Didn't

crisp January morning in Vancouver

Every year I make a little goal list of fun things I'd like to try; things I've never done, or just things I want to be intentional to make time for. They're fun (books read to the kids!), often simple (make an intimidating-to-me ethnic food), or they could be things that I've wanted to do, that with some strategic planning, will happen within the year(specific travel/outdoor goals). You can see my 15 in 2015 list HERE and then the final "What Happened, What Didn't" after the year was over. 

Here's my original 16 in 2016 list I made at the beginning of last January. I like to keep one or two lines blank, because I can't always think of everything by Jan 1!

1) We got a dog!! Copper joined our family in August and he's been a great addition. Although we're still working on his struggles with other dogs, he's such a happy guy. He's always ready to play, go on a hike, walk, or bike ride, has learned how to fetch a tennis ball (and boy does he love the chuck-it), plays tug of war, and sleeps in a little den Lukka made for him in his room. 

2) I did not end up making sweet treat hair clips, but I *did* have Ani and Lukka help me make pompom clips for their cousins' hair, which they enjoyed, and were very proud of. I'm calling that a success.

3)I did not make homemade jam. Still intimidated. Still don't want to get a food-borne illness because of my ineptitude. 

4)We went to Banff National Park, Calgary, and Canmore adn we LOVED it! I am so behind on sharing about our family's vacation. 

5) We read the entire Little House series, and by the end, I was ready to be DONE. It's a great series, but thank goodness for Cherry Jones' narration. 

6) I did not find a GOOD summer farmer's market. I found a decent one in Langley. It's small, but the produce was delicious and reasonably priced. I don't know that I'll find what I want outside of Vancouver. 

7) We hiked the Abby Grind very soon after that list was made!

8) We took the canoe to a new-to-us place, False Creek. I mean, we'd been there, but we'd never canoed there. It was a solid 5 mile canoe jaunt and it was great!

9) We didn't have a family date to The Secret Lives of Pets, but I did take the kids to it, and it was terrible! Ugh. 

10) I did not even get close to making everyone's Christmas gifts again. Laughable. 

11) I did not knit a hat, not a single one (!) for 25,000 toques. In fact, I haven't heard much from the movement within the last 9 months or so. I still haven't gotten my knitting mojo back.

12) I made mexican corn for our friends, but I did not get to the other four recipes. Sad!

13) I did get to explore Vancouver Island with my best friend! YAY!!!

14) Although I tried many times, I just didn't see those Northern Lights. Maybe next year? 

15) I did buy a ton of houseplants!

16) We did have a picnic each Summer month (June-Sept.) which was fun. And each one was in a different spot (a hike, canoe ride, beach, out of town)

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Do you make a yearly list? What did you do that you're proud of in 2016?

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