50 Nifty United States

Wow, where do I begin?  How about with -

YAY WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

365 days

52 weeks

50 states (and a national capitol)

Countless meals, crafts, experiments, projects and adventures

Mail calls from family, friends and complete strangers

Four amazing road trips - one through our home state of Michigan, an idyllic week in Georgia with the Kosakowski crew, and two separate trips to Illinois in February and November

2 amazing kids who I've learned are sponges when it comes to sucking up information.

1 husband that has been a trooper through it all.  He's given me a hand when I've needed it, reined me in when I've needed that and been on board since the beginning.  There is no way I could even thought to attempt any of this without him.

And you!  That's right - if you're reading this right now you have my eternal thanks and gratitude.  You may have helped us out with a package along the way.  You may be one of my lovely friends that has inspired me, listened to me babble endlessly about some random fact about some random state, and given me plenty of "that'll do's" just when I need them.  You may be one of our family members that have helped us out along the way, asked the kids about what they've been learning or read the blog faithfully (even my long posts with numerous links).  You may be just passing through and stumbled across our little adventure and stuck around for the ride.  Any which way - knowing that you are 'out there' has kept me just as motivated as my ultimate driving force - NJ and the Bean.  My wish is that some day, years from now, they stumble across this blog (we're saving a copy of all of it) or dig out the scrapbook and just, smile.  Noah and Kayla - you two are my daily inspiration, motivation, amazement, sometimes frustration, joy and a living reminder of what unconditional love is,  I hope you've had fun this year.

And on that note - Noah has been VERY concerned about 'what's next?'  He was most upset the other day when we started on Washington when he realized it was the end.  But I've assured him I have something up my sleeve and to hang in there!  And that goes for all of you, too!  I've now tackled National Foods and all 50 states- I'm unstoppable ;-)  The big reveal for 2015 is tomorrow, but until then, I can't think of a better way to wrap up the States then with this video that my friend Kristina shared with me when I first started this little project of mine.

With endless love and gratitude,
K