2013: Laura's Year in Review

2013: What a year. 

January

We rang in 2013 with our friends Elizabeth and Anthony in Nashville and had the time of our lives that entire weekend. 

 Mlive Media Group turned 1 in January. We celebrated a successful and prosperous year with our coworkers like any good company would, by eating cake.

February

I celebrated Valentine's Day, for a change. Steven made me a delicious dinner and had it ready when I got home from work. What a keeper.

 My V-Day gift to Steven was a pair of tickets to the Detroit Red Wings vs. Nashville Predators game in Detroit. RIVALS! He's a Nashville fan, and me; well, it's obvious what I am. 

I also experimented with some fun new recipes and improved my kitchen skills.

March

 I visited Canada for my 2nd and third time in March. I saw Niagara Falls for the first time ever with my parents and Steven. It was beautiful. 

 Steve and his Canadian band played a gig in Hamilton, ON and my parents attended along with Steve's friends and family.

I threw a Roaring Twenties Bachelorette Party for my best friend, Stacey.

I went to Toronto for Canadian Music Week. I love this city.

April

 In April, I attended an Mlive event for local filmmakers, so we submitted our short film "From the Heartland" by Big Foot Films and got to speak about who we are and what we do. It was a great way to get exposure in the greater Grand Rapids area. 

My best friend married the love of her life and I stood as her Maid of Honor.

Grand Rapids encountered the great flood of 2013 in April, and river levels were at a record high. 

May

I joined a kickball team through the Grand Rapids Sport and Social Club for the Spring/Summer. I made some incredible and hilarious new friends.

We took a family trip to Myrtle Beach, SC. 

I went to Canada (again) and went hiking around Milton, ON and saw some more beautiful waterfalls. 

I was Steve's date to the CMAO Awards when he was nominated for the Rising Star award. So proud of him!

Attended Bottom 40's "jungle love" with some fabulous friends.

June

We hosted Katelyn's first bridal shower, and it was a Breakfast at Tiffany's theme. 

We went to the John Ball Zoo.

Katelyn had her bachelorette party in June in Traverse City. We drank too much wine and had just the right amount of fun. 

July

Katelyn got married!! I was honored to stand in her wedding and watch her marry her soulmate.

Steve and the band opened for Gregg Allman at Coast West Music Fest at Heritage Landing. 

It was a successful month for the Steve Rivers Band, as they won the local competition for the Texaco Country Showdown in Muskegon. 

August

The beginning of August I headed back to Canada for a much needed long weekend of wine tasting in Niagara on the Lake.

We also headed back to the falls and stayed in a hotel right across the street. 

 I watched Steve play a gig at St. Catharine's Ribfest.

My darling great-grandmother turned 100, and we celebrated with the whole family. 

 We attended a radio barbeque event for 93.1 in Grand Haven and Steve played a few lives tunes for the listeners. 

Steve Rivers Band won the STATE competition of the Texaco Showdown in Bay City. My stomach flipped, it was so exciting!

September

  The new downtown market opened and Katelyn and I paid a visit.

 We went to Lewis' Farms for some apple picking and fall festivities.

 Tieka hosted a Wolverine FNO event at the Reserve. It was a fabulous event and we met so many wonderful ladies!

The 5th year of ArtPrize kicked off in downtown Grand Rapids and the city looked beautiful.

Steve and I GOT ENGAGED!

October

 I mastered some autumn-inspired recipes.

 I bought my wedding dress!

 Syrus dressed up as Batman for Halloween.

November

 I was so fortunate to attend a lovely blogger event as Tieka's guest. We did an overnight stay at a beautiful Bed & Breakfast, went out to a fancy dinner, took a cooking class at the downtown market, wine tasted at Robinette's, and so much more!

Steve's family threw us an engagement party in Canada. It was wonderful to get together with both sides of his family.

Katelyn and I went to Frances Jaye in downtown Holland for a shopping event hosted by Tieka. Check out this shop if you can!

I went to Friendsgiving at Tieka and Eric's house with a group of amazing people. We all brought different dishes, Tieka made the turkey. We went around the table and all said what we were thankful for, we drank wine, and we played cards against humanity. Perfect evening. 

December

I baked cookies. A lot of cookies.

 I went to see the annual Mona Shores Singing Christmas Tree at the Frauenthal Theater.

We got our first Christmas ornament as an engaged couple.

2013 was a HUGE year for me. I watched some of my loved ones get married, I traveled and saw a lot more of Canada, I made new friends in Grand Rapids, I moved (twice), and am now planning a wedding of my own with a spectacular man.

Here's to 2014. May all of your months to come be prosperous and joyful.

xoxo,
Laura