Happy New Year! It’s that time again – Memories, Dreams and Reflections…2013. It’s been an incredible year for our family and I’m so excited to share a look back at our year. With God’s help, 2014 is going to be even better…and I really hope to reconnect with all my blogging friends – I mean it this time! Thank you so much for all your love and support over the years. Although not intended, I took yet another year away from intensive blogging. It’s meant lower participation in Scavenger Hunt Sunday, and a lot less commenting, but I think it was necessary in order for me to be present at home. You all have been so understanding and I am so thankful to have this time to spend with my young family. Besides, while blogging is fun…what is blogging without great content. Now is the time to LIVE!
Anyways, I’ll get to the photos. I can’t wait to see what your year looked like so be sure to link up.
1. Me!
I didn’t do much in the way of self portraits this year, but I did make sure I jumped in front of the camera as much as I was behind it. This particular shot was taken by the talented, Katelyn McKay.
2. I Love You
I love this little girl with all of my heart. I almost forgot about this shot because it seems like so long ago, but it was in fact taken in 2013. Now that I think about it, I only have about a month before I need to take a similar shot. Hmmmm….
3. Still Laughing
Overall, Felicity is a pretty serious child…at least when I bring out my camera. I always feel grateful when I capture a smile on camera, but a laugh…that’s really hard to come by. As I was flipping through one of her photo albums from this past year, I found this collage. I remember this day. She actually does this quite a bit, but I rarely capture it. So silly.
4. Winter Wonderland
We had snow at the very beginning of last year…and I’m glad I took the time to snap this shot because that’s all there was. I don’t even have heavy snow clothes in the event that we have snow this year, so it’ll probably snow a ton. Hmmm, maybe I should get on that.
Here’s another view of that same snowfall. For those of you who live in colder weather, you’re laughing…but this is about as much snow as we’ll ever get.
5. Birthday
We celebrated Felicity’s first birthday in June. Looking back at those photos, she’s already grown up so much in the past six months. I always knew that time flies, but it races by when you have small children.
6. Friends
In early June, all of my Peace College sisters met up for a mini reunion. All of our families came along for the ride, so of course we had to take a photograph. Unfortunately, we’re spread out all over the country now…but every time we reunite, it’s as if we never left one another.
7. I Was Inspired
I try not to emulate too many other photographers…you know, because if you miss the mark, it can really get you down. However, I remember taking this shot and thinking about Courtney Kirkland’s style. After a couple of minutes of processing, I was really feeling her style. Now that we’re talking about other photographers, I’d love to get into Karli Bonnie’s brain a bit – her style makes my mouth drop.
8. Spring Fever
This past Spring, Michelle and I took the girls out to Peace College for a photography play date. It was such a beautiful day and I’m so glad we took advantage of it. Thanks again Michelle for capturing this sweet shot.
9. Travel or Vacation
This year, we went to Myrtle Beach over Memorial Day weekend. It was not the ideal time to be at Myrtle, but we still had a great time. Felicity wasn’t quite walking yet, so we mostly enjoyed the beach from our shaded spot. I’m looking forward to going again this year. She’s going to be all over the place!
10. Summer Days
Felicity’s grandparents gave her a wagon for her birthday. We enjoyed taking the wagon out and about this summer…and I’m hopeful she’ll enjoy it as much next Spring/Summer. The thing I love about this wagon is that it has a little tray in the middle for snacks on the go.
11. A Day in My Life
New photo alert! A typical day in my life includes brushing Felicity’s hair and feeding her…apparently, that’s what she thinks at least. I think it’s hilarious that she knows how to feed a baby with a bottle considering that she is breastfed. HA HA
12. All Smiles
At some point this year, the time frame escapes me now, we had a play date at Maddie’s house. I had been coveting a photo Michelle took of Maddie playing in the pots and pans. Fortunately, Michelle was happy to set up the shot again and Felicity was thrilled to play.
13. Autumn Harvest
One of my photography wishes for a future year is a photo shoot in a corn field – I only hope Felicity will be willing to participate. Either way, I still love this one from a nearby farm.
14. Family or Home
My friend, Michelle of St. John Photography, came over to our house in November to snap a few photos of my family in our “Christmas Jammies.” I loved the photos so much that I made a collage of them for our Christmas card. This is one of my favorite shots.
15. Celebrate
Just before Memorial Day, my brother got married. I was their “wedding photographer,” so I have a ton of photos, but I really love these two shots – one of their family and one of the first kiss.
16. Let’s Do It Again
Felicity loves the State Fair this past year. It’s one of my favorite things to attend each year so let’s do that again!
17. I Miss You
I’m going to replay the photo I used for this prompt last year. We were fortunate not to attend any funerals in the past year, but I still miss my maternal grandmother.
18. Beautiful
She looks so grown up in this shot…and very serious, but so beautiful.
19. Dress UP
This year Felicity dressed up as Pebbles from the Flintstones (I realize now that that reference completely dates me). You see, she won’t wear anything on her head that isn’t a hair bow so I had to keep it simple. I also bought a Raggedy Ann outfit, but between the wig and makeup, I gave up on that idea pretty quickly. Luckily, Halloween was warm this year so Pebbles was free to go without a coat. Her great grandmother really loves this shot. So do I.
20. Macro
I didn’ take as many macro shots as I did pre-Felicity, but I do like this one.
21. Holidays
We saw a total of four Santas this year…and each time, Felicity cried as soon as she realized that she would have to sit in that guy’s lap. Rather than relive those moments, let’s enjoy a fun shot I replayed from Pinterest.
22. My Favorite
I absolutely love this shot that Michelle took of me and Felicity in March of this year. It’s one of my favorites.
23. Don’t Ever Change
You’re silly and serious, cautious and curious, and so much more. I can’t wait to see more of your personality emerge in the next year!
24. Just Because
Another one of my favorite photos, taken by Michelle.
25. Hopes and Dreams
2014 will be the year that I reinstate some sort of routine. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the past 18 months of going with the flow, but I want to get back in shape (physically and spiritually) and explore myself creatively through my camera. Not that I don’t love the photos I’ve taken in the past couple of years, but I want to stretch myself a little more.
▼ Grab my button code ▼
The beauty of “Memories, Dreams and Reflections” is that you don’t really have to photograph anything new, but share photos you’ve taken all year long. Want to join us? Here’s how:
Grab the button above and feel free to share it on your blog.
Go through your 2013 archives and select photos that represent each prompt (or take a few new photos).
Feel free to write as much or as little about each prompt as you’d like.
Feel free to post more than one picture for each prompt if you think it’s necessary. If you don’t have a picture to represent the prompt, skip it…participate as much or as little as you’d like.
If you use any photos that are not your own, please provide a source.
Link up between now and January 25, 2014.
Have fun!
An InLinkz Link-up
Now that you’ve linked up, here’s next week’s Scavenger Hunt Sunday list sponsored by Fat Mum Slim’s Photo a Day: January 2014. Be sure to come back on Sunday and link up.
Photographer’s Choice
Lunch
Starts with the Letter G
My Town
Words to Live by
If you’d like to contribute items to the list, just send me an email with your suggestions (I can better keep track of them this way). Each week, I will select one reader’s prompt list, add those items to what is currently on tap and give the selected reader a shout out on my blog during Scavenger Hunt Sunday.
Happy Shooting!
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