“without rain, there are no flowers”.
2018 was really, really tough for me…so many ups and downs, adventures and surprises, challenges, and successes.
but i’m taking this year as something that i will look back to, and be grateful for where it took me. and 2019, i’m ready to live.
as exhausting as this year was, there will be always be moments that i’ll be grateful for. i took a few minutes to look through my year in photographs, and wanted to share some of my favorites with you.
2018 began with my first trip on a plane and out of the country. i was given the opportunity to photograph a friend’s wedding in mexico, all while spoiling myself with some cocktails and much needed time on the beach.
kaylei has really enjoyed playing basketball, and as 2018 rolled in, her second season came to an end. i enjoy watching her play so much, twice as much as she enjoys showing off her well-deserved medal.
we took the girls on our first big family vacation. the beginning of the trip was spent in virginia beach, where they got to experience the ocean for the first time.
the second part of the trip, we drove out to washington, dc and did all the typical touristy things.
the girls began a new school year. it’s crazy to believe that we already have a fifth and first grader!
we enjoyed the summer with friends including our fair share of cubbies games, cookouts, and county fairs.
my grandma turned 75 in september and my mom, dad, sister, and i took a quick trip down to missouri to help throw her a birthday party. a bunch of our family came and i really enjoyed the mini vacation with my parents and sister.
one of my favorite memories from this year was the mother-daughter trip the girls and i took to the apple orchard this fall. so many laughs and pictures taken; these are moments that i’ll never forget.
as always, halloween is one of the girl’s favorite holidays. 2018 was no different with our very own where’s waldo and bunny rabbit.
the first snowfall this winter and the girls had to use the opportunity to catch some snowflakes and play in the snow.
kaylei and mahkena had a quick visit with santa, and for the first time, mahkena wasn’t terrified of him.
2018 basketball season began in december and this year, mahkena followed in her big sister’s foot steps and decided to play too.
christmas came and went by so fast, but not before lots of eating, gift-opening, and time with family.
Okay To Be Shay 