The Aughts, only the good stuff (mostly, anyway).

Because the bad bits are best forgotten anyway, am I right? Here are some standout things that happened in each year, that are foremost in my mind.

2000: Scene set, homeowners in Shaw DC rowhouse. In January, my office moved to McLean, VA, 17 miles away; I braved it, but refused to drive/buy another car, taking public transit only. I turned 30 & had an excellent party at AV Italian Ristorante with many friends. Monkeyrotica (AJS) and I vacationed for a week in London and Dublin, with a brief trip to Galway. We celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary in September (dined at TenPenh). Hobbies: bicycling, jewelry making, clubbing, aerobics, inline skating, dining out, socializing.

2001: Still living in DC, though I quit my NoVA job for a better commute at a DC firm. My mother survived the 9/11 plane crash while working at the Pentagon. My dad, sister, and I went on a week-long cycling tour of The Big Island, Hawaii. Celebrated 4th wedding anniversary at DC Coast. Still dancing, going to bars and shows.

2002: Travelled to New Orleans for Jazz Fest with several close friends early in the year. Grandfather died at 85 years in February; Rosie born in November. AJS lost his job, but was able to be at home with me during maternity leave. I spent most of this year pregnant and breastfeeding. Took infant-Rosie to lots of parties and a few bars, made a few parent-friends, but were still the first in our peer group to breed. Bought a second car. Bought my first smart phone, a T-Mobile Sidekick. Started blogging, privately.

2003: Sold the DC house; bought a house in NoVA. Quit DC job, took job in Arlington. AJS found a new job with the gov't. Hurricane Isabel crashed a tree that fell on both our cars/totalled new car; bought another second car. Rosie celebrated her first birthday in our new house. Rosie and I flew to Connecticut to visit relatives for a week. Attended Lisa & Joe's wedding. Our friends Melissa and Ed were married. And, the very first of our friends to become parents, Kelly & Todd, had their daughter, Thea.

2004: Job moved me to Alexandria. Celebrated 7th anniversary at Restaurant Eve. Lisa & Joe T's daughter, Lucy, was born. Rosie turned 2 and we moved her to a new daycare center in Alexandria. Visited family in Connecticut with Rosie. Also, I waited until the very last moment (8 weeks?) to announce to AJS that we were expecting another baby, to be born around father's day the following year.

2005: Dash born mid-year (naturally, with no meds!); Lisa & Joe's son Jack was born days apart. Kelly & Todd's son Liam was born in November. My job moved back to Arlington. I really, really got into genealogy, tracing AJS's sketchy family roots back eight generations! Sold my first car, bought a used late model. Celebrated 8th anniversary at Restaurant Eve. Flew to Connecticut with Dad, sister, and both kids for my cousin's wedding. Rosie turned 3. Lisa & Joe moved to Alabama. I got a tattoo inked on my leg. Dash started crawling at five months old.

2006: We learned that Rosie was afraid of people in costumes. Dash started walking at 8 months, had his first birthday in June. Liam turned 1 & Rosie turned 4—we had a joint party for them. Thea turned 3 in December. AJS and I flew with the kids to Florida. Celebrated 9th anniversary on 9/9 at 9 p.m. in Restaurant Eve's tasting room with their 9-course menu! Joe barbecued for 220 Air Force workers. Our friends Etta & Brian were married. Isabel was born to our friends Tiffany & Nick. Daniel was born to our friends Susan & Don. Ian was born to our friends Kristin & Nathan. We spent our first annual beach house week in Rehoboth.

2007: We spent New Year's Eve with Kelly & Todd. My job moved me back to McLean, VA (see 2000), now 25 miles away. Celebrated 10th anniversary at Restaurant Eve. Rosie turned 5, Dash turned 2 and both had a blow-out barbecue house-party birthdays! Reinier was born to our friends Tiffany & Nick. I signed Rosie up for a dance class and decided to start taking one myself. Got back into making jewelry. Saw my first live show in 5 years. 2nd annual Rehoboth beach week was fabulous.

2008: Our friends Karen & Bryce were married. Bloggy friend Dee gave birth to twins! I lost 10 lbs between January and June. Rosie and I performed in a recital with my dance class and started running; then I switched my dance practice to modern. We bought a projector TV and I built a 120" screen for it. Dash turned 3, Rosie turned 6. I met Anthony Bourdain on my birthday. My mom retired from work. 3rd annual beach house visit! And Rosie started Kindergarten at public school and rocked my world (and hers).

2009: Our friends Becky & Ryan were married. I performed in a second dance recital as did Rosie; after his 4th birthday, Dash started dance class in the summer. My friends came over for a painting party. Joe continued to rock at BBQ! I went to Hello Craft's Summit of Awesome & Crafty Bastards. I got an iPhone, shut down our landline, canceled satellite TV, and started watching Internet-only television. Rosie started 1st grade, turned 7, and had her first school-free summer. Baby Idris was born to Ivy & Ken. With friends' help, I set up a raised garden in my yard. Beach house year 4 included AJS & Alan.

The end to the aughts. So many changes for us! Hello 2010 & the teens. I hope you treat us and all of our friends well. Stay happy, healthy, and connected, everyone. I <3 you!