A Year of Minivan Adventures (2019 Month-By-Month Recap)

As 2019 comes to an end, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on all of our fun adventures this past year. Afterall…

‘Tis the season for reflection!

 

2019 Minivan Adventures - Favorite moments from 2019!

 

I have always wanted to write an end-of-the-year recap post for Minivan Adventures but never quite figured out how to lay it out… until a couple of months ago. I read this post written by my friend, Angela, on her Tread Lightly, Retire Early blog. In celebration of her wedding anniversary, she shared a picture highlighting a special event from each month of the previous year.

Upon reading her lovely tribute, a light bulb went off in my own head. What a simple and lovely way to recap the year! I could do something like that, too.

Thank you, Angela, for the inspiration!

 

2019 Highlights for Minivan Adventures

It was an exciting year for our family and for the Minivan Adventures blog. Here is a quick look back at the highlights from each month.

 

January

The most notable thing that occurred for us in the month of January was a crazy number of snow days from school. The kids had an entire week off due to cold and freezing temperatures. Thus, we stayed home, snuggled up, sipped hot cocoa and tried to not drive each other crazy.

Highlights of 2019 for Minivan Adventures: So Many Snow Days!
So many snow days!

 

February

February brought even more “snow” days but this time due to ice and power outages. It made for lovely pictures though! By the end of the school year, my children stayed home for 14 (maybe 15?) snow days total!

2019 Highlight for Minivan Adventures: Ice storm in February
Cold but pretty!

 

March

In March, we spent a day at the beach in Grand Haven. Have you visited the shores of Lake Michigan in winter before? The ice and snow formations are an amazing sight to behold!

2019 Minivan Adventures Highlight: Winter day at the beach
Just another winter day at the beach!

 

April

We spent some time exploring Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio during the month of April. We explored caves, walked over a land bridge, and saw several waterfalls. It is one of our all-time favorite hiking experiences.

Hiking at Hocking Hills was a definite highlight of the year!
Fun hiking adventures at Hocking Hills!

 

May

Move over, California! We discovered a West Michigan “Super Bloom” right here near Grand Rapids, Michigan! While hiking at Aman Park, we discovered fields and fields and fields of wildflowers.

2019 Highlight: West Michigan "Super Bloom" at Aman Park
Massive field of trillium wildflowers!

I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention that I saw Hamilton the Musical in May! This has been on my bucket list for years.

Big Highlight of 2019: Seeing Hamilton the Musical
I saw Hamilton the Musical!

 

 

June

In June, we enjoyed several local hiking trails.

2019 Highlights for Minivan Adventures: lots of hiking
A lovely day for a hike!

 

July

July was a really big month for us. Our family went on a major 16-day road trip out to Yellowstone National Park (and beyond).  We drove a wagon at the Laura Ingalls Homestead, we hiked in the heart of the Badlands, we were rained on by a geyser, and we even explored cave-like lava tubes in Idaho. Watch for more posts about these adventures in the upcoming months!

2019 Minivan Adventures Highlight: Major road trip to Yellowstone, Grand Teton and more!
Road trip to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and more!

 

August

We visited Leila Arboretum and its Fantasy Forest in Battle Creek, Michigan. What a cool place!

2019 Highlight: Leila Arboretum in Battle Creek, Michigan
Exploring the Fantasy Forest at Leila Arboretum!

 

September

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! We followed the yellow brick road in Holland, Michigan to check out the city’s new Wizard of Oz public art exhibit.

2019 Highlight: Finding the Wizard in Holland, Michigan!
Follow the yellow brick road!

 

October

In October, my husband and I went on a weekend getaway to Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island. We visited a Dark Sky Park, rode bikes around Mackinac Island, and saw some amazing fall foliage.

2019 Minivan Adventures Highlight: Weekend Getaway to Mackinac Island
So much to see and do at Mackinac Island!

 

November

November was a low key month for us. We mostly stayed home. However, our family did put together this cool road trip-themed puzzle of the United States. Impressive, right?

November Highlight
Puzzle time!

 

December

In December, I was interviewed on the Healthy Lifestyle Show by Happy Trails Hiking. You can check out my interview here: Travel Tuesday with April of Minivan Adventures.

My first interview as a travel blogger!
My first interview as a travel blogger!

Also, our family went on our annual holiday visit to the GR Public Museum. While we were there, our children were delighted to find Santa in the Old Town Streets exhibit and Rudolph in the wildlife exhibit.

Holiday Highlight: Finding Rudolph at GR Public Museum!
We found Rudolph at the museum!

 

Thank You!

Thank you for following our minivan adventures! What a great year 2019 has been! We can’t wait to see what adventures await us in 2020, and we are so glad you are coming along for the ride.

By the way, are you following our minivan on social media yet? We would love to connect with you on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

WHAT WERE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR YEAR?

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