2011 In Review.

I don't know if you know this about me... but I'm a bit of a New Year's Eve scrooge. My evening has been perfect: I went to dinner at Jack Stack (mmmmm barbeque...), went and saw a movie (We Bought A Zoo, so good, and a great soundtrack that I've already purchased and am listening to now), grabbed a shake at Sonic, now I'm home, sitting on my couch, blogging. If I'm in bed before 12 o'clock, I'll be a happy camper. So, instead of counting down, and cheering, and dancing, and hugging, and drinking (all things I typically enjoy doing on any other night of the year), I thought I'd reflect on the year. More for my sake than yours. But here it goes. Abby Thomason's 2011 In Review:

I had a pretty slow first half of the year. Or maybe it's been so long ago that I don't really remember what happened...

But in February/March I recorded an album with my friend Rob. Remember that? Not a lot came of it, because Rob had to move back to Portland, but it was for sure a once in a lifetime experience for me. (Any interest in checking out the album, you can actually download it for free on Noise Trade here.)

The studio.

Our album cover, designed by my brother Cory.

Multiple good friends moved away this year and God taught (well, continues to teach, I've far from arrived) me a lot through it.

When taking this picture, I thought it was just to throw a get together for the Cunninghams before they moved away. Little did we know that the Crows would be moving away 6 months later... :(

I'm pretty blessed to have cousins that are my best friends, but these guys had to move away, too.

I was crafty, or at least attempted to be, throughout the year.

A painting for my friend Corrie's baby-to-be Theo.

A fall wreath...

At the beginning of July, I took an impromptu road trip to Austin, Texas to move my brother Joel to his new place there. We stopped in Derby, Kansas on the way back to celebrate the 4th of July with our Wichita family.

My first taste of Torchy's Tacos in Austin. The best tacos I've ever had.

Gotta love those sparklers...

In July, my family also went on vacation to Watercolor, Florida. It was pretty fantastic...

Not the best sunsets in the world, but still beautiful.

Vacations are always more magical when this girl is around.

In July I also made this list of things I wanted to do before I turned 24. It kind of transformed my summer.

#17. Ride a bike at least 5 miles.

#5. Send someone flowers.

At the end of the month, we went to the lake with our friends the Wilts. Weekends at the lake with the Wilts hold some of my favorite memories...

Heavenly...

The Taco Tube!

In August, I started what I liked to call "Try-It Tuesdays." Where I tried a new recipe every Tuesday...

Burrito Bowls, sans the bowl.

Black Bean Burgers.

And I also baked a lot this year. Not a surprise. I know.

Gracious's Fancy Nancy birthday cake.

Strawberry chocolate cheesecake for Cory and Erica's prom.

Shannon's 70s themed birthday cake.

I traveled quite a bit in October... I went and visited my brother Joel in Austin, Texas.

It's not vacation without ice cream.

Visiting Tim Riggins' land from Friday Night Lights.

Then my cousins Dana and Marc in Sublette, Kansas.

Shooting targets. I love this picture.

I've said it once, and I'll say it again, Kansas sunsets are the best.

Then my college friends in Columbia, Missouri.

With the ol' roommates, celebrating Megan's engagement.

I had to visit Big Tree, of course.

Then my cousins Julie and Anthony in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

I laughed more with them this weekend than I have all year. That's a fact.

At Cuppies and Joe: the depiction of my dream bakery that I hope to open someday.

Also in October, I made it a full year at JPMorgan. I can't believe that I've worked there over a year...

My co-worker Robert, we just happened to be wearing the same outfit that day.

And, of course, I did lots of celebrating throughout the year, as always...

August birthdays...

Thanksgiving right into Christmas...

What a year it's been! Who knows what's in store for 2012... (If you made it this far, I owe you a date to grab some coffee and talk about YOUR life because you just spent the last 37 minutes reading about mine. Thanks for caring enough to make it this far...)