2022: A Year in Review

There is no possible way that a year could ever start any better than my 2022. On January 1st, we brought home baby Magnolia June from the hospital, after a 5 year struggle with infertility, IVF, and loss.

If we had done absolutely nothing else for the rest of the year, it would still have by far been the best year of our lives.

Although we spent the majority of our time learning to take care of and enjoying our little daughter, we were lucky enough to have some other adventures as well!

In May, David's parents came over from France to meet Magnolia. We traveled with them down to Texas to check off a new state, show them more of America, and attempt our first ever trip with a baby.

It was a success! We made it to Dallas and San Antonio, and also saw some of the Texas countryside. It was great to travel again after about a year break.

Over the summer we did our traditional (third year in a row) trip to Kelley's Country Creamery sunflower field, as well as checking out a beautiful lavender field in Baraboo for the first time. Who knew Wisconsin had lavender??

In the fall we did our traditional outings to an apple orchard, a pumpkin patch, and Holy Hill to see the colors.

In November we checked off another new state- Nevada! We explored some of Las Vegas  before driving up to Utah. 

Highlights of the trip included the fancy Vegas hotels, St. George, Zion National Park, David getting to play the Conference Center organ, and Magnolia getting to meet her great-grandparents.

In December we ventured even farther- Paris- for Magnolia's first international trip. It was amazing to be back in my happy place after 5 years away.

We spent most of our time touring some of my old favorites- the Sainte-Chapelle, the Marais,  the Opera house, les Galeries Lafayette, and the Champs-Elysées. 

We also stopped by a few castles we'd never been to: Saint-Germain-en-Laye and the Château de Vincennes. Let's not forget that I also basically ate my weight in pastries and baguettes and was utterly thrilled and filled with nostalgia to visit some of my favorite French stores and landmarks.

The end of the year was a whirlwind of holidays and Magnolia's first birthday. What an amazing privilege it was to watch this girl grow from a tiny newborn into a toddler. She is so smart, funny, beautiful, and happy. We're excited to continue exploring the world and enjoying life with her.