Hello, my bucket list, friends! I’m always amazing at how fast the years go by the older I get. I know I have not finished writing my regular blog posts for the year, but I didn’t want to post my year in review post late. I will still be posting about the things I did this month, but I wanted to post this first. With that, being said, I have a few things to say about the year 2024. This year was overall a good one for me. Of course, it had not so great moments, but I’m happy to say that the good out numbered the bad. I went on some great trips to some great places that included Death Valley, Missouri, Tennessee, and Idaho. I also crossed five items off of my bucket list, celebrated my 9th year of blogging, and celebrated one year of working at my current job. I also did some of my favorite things this year, including thrift shopping and making art. I’m excited to review my year and look back on the adventures that I had this year.
bucket list items
#182 Make pasta from scratch – This was the first bucket list item that I crossed off in 2024. It was easy and tasty.
#95 Go parasailing – This was such a fun item to cross off. I did this while I was in Missouri on vacation. I had such a great time going parasailing. It felt like I was flying above the water. I would love to do this again sometime.
#324 Make a puffy paint shirt or hat – I absolutely love the hat that I decorated with puffy paint. It turned out so good. I also love the pictures I took of me in the hat.
#263 shoot for the stars mini golf – I had so much fun playing mini golf at this wonderfully themed course. I’m really glad I got to cross this item of my list.
#283 Visit the Exploratorium – I got to cross this item off during the summer, and it was a perfect summer activity. I really want to come back here sometime.
#312 get a pair of jelly sandals – this was a very easy item to cross off, but I’m glad to have these cute shoes. They may just be perfect for some summer adventures in 2025!
Travel
Death Valley – This was my first trip of the year, and it was a true adventure. Death Valley is a beautiful place, and I had a great time exploring it.
Missouri – This vacation was so much fun! Highlights include going to the zoo, seeing the worlds largest toy museum, and going to an adventure park. I would love to go back to Missouri sometime.
Tennessee – This was a wonderful trip! I love Nashville, but we also explored other cities. This state is full of beauty and adventure. I there is a bucket list item that I want to cross off in this state when I have the budget.
Idaho – I went to Idaho twice this year. I try to go at least once a year to visit family. Of course, I also do some fun things while I was there, including thrift shopping and going to a reptile zoo.
Las Vegas – On our way back from Idaho, we stopped in Las Vegas for a few hours. I got to go to an aquarium that I had been wanting to go to. It was nice but I wish I had more time there.
LA – In November, I went on a quick trip to LA. I enjoyed doing some shopping while I was here. I also had some really nice Uber drivers.
Fun events and outings
Fourth of July concert and fireworks – On the Fourth of July, I went to an event that involved a country concert and an impressive fireworks show. I got to meet and get a picture with singer Levi Hummon.
Galaxy Con – This was such a fun event! I got to take pictures with a bunch of actors, including William Shatner and Gates Mcfadden. I want to go back to this event in 2025.
Christmas Craft fair – I have not blogged about this event yet because this was an event that happened in December, but It is my favorite local event. I got some soap that has toys in it, two fun pens and other items.
My first NFL game – This event also happened in December. I had never been to an NFL game before, so I was very excited when I got the chance to go. I will write more about it later, but even though I did not end up seeing the whole game, it was still a lot of fun!
Seeing butterflies in Monterrey – This was my one of my first adventures of the year, and it was an awesome one! It was truly amazing to see that many butterflies flying around at once.
Travel and adventure show – This was a very fun show. I got a lot of stickers and other free items, and I got to talk to the host of the amazing race.
going to the beach twice during the summer – I went to the beach tice this summer on the weekdays of course !
Going to the movies – I saw a few great movies this year, but my favorite was Harold and the purple crayon.
Anthem lights concert – This was a fun concert, and our seats were very close to the stage.
Going to the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk twice . I got to visit this local amusement park twice this year. The crowds were a little much both times, but I did enjoy the rides I got to go on.
Arts and crafts – I did a good amount of arts and crafts this year. Here are just a few highlights.
Decorating a cup with stickers – This was a fun and easy craft kit. I wish I had more kits like this one.
coloring pages from Trader Joes – I love that Trader Joes has free coloring pages and stickers, and they have new ones for every season. I got a few coloring pages this year.
making my own sticker book – This was a fun little project that I would love to do again in 2025.
Painting a frog garden stone – I did a simple A simple painting craft kit, but it was so cute!
notable highlights
My one year anniversary at my current job – I celebrated one year at my current job, and I became a manager!
Nine years of blogging – In May, I had my ninth anniversary of having a blog! I’m so happy that I found a hobby that I absolutely love.
My 34th birthday – I turned 34 this year. I celebrated with Chinese food, shopping at Target, and ice cream cake.
Spending time with some of my favorite people – I am blessed to have some wonderful people in my life, and I’m even more blessed that I got to see many of them this year.
Taking a picture with George Kittle – I was so happy when George Kittle walked into my work, and I was even happier when he said yes when I asked if we could take a picture together. It was a fun surprise.
Shopping fun
Thrift shopping – I did so much thrift shopping this year! I got everything from clothes to books and lots of toys, including Squishmallows , Build a Bear plush, Barbie dolls, and TY beanie babies.
My favorite thrift find of the year – In October, I found one of my favorite things that I have ever found at a Thrift store a jacket from the US marine corps. I love this jacket so much and I’m very glad that I found it.
shopping at work – I did so much of this in 2024. I got so many great things, including seasonal items and squishmallows.
Shopping at my favorite local stores – I got to go to my favorite local stores a few times during the year. I went to my favorite local thrift store, party store, and two local toy stores.
My summer mall weekend – I did my mall weekend tradition this year as I have done for a while now. Where I go to the Dollar Tree on Friday and the mall on Saturday. I made a plush animal at Build a Bear Workshop this year. It was a great two days of shopping.
Five Below – I don’t get to go to this store very often, but I did get to go once this year, and I’m very thankful for that.
Michaels – I went to Michales store that is not close to where I live this year. It was nice to explore a new location this year. It was a big store and I got lots of stickers.
Shopping at Target and Ross in LA – When I was in LA, I went to Target and Ross. Ross has really great prices and I want to start shopping there more!
Thank you so much for reading my blog this year! I hope all of you had a happy and blessed 2024.
Love, Christina Epperly and see you in 2025!
