And just like that 2016 is almost over. It has most definitely been the fastest year so far and has gone by in a blur, but mostly that blur has been busy in the most wonderful way and this year has seen so much change for us. December has of course been full of festive celebrations and although I have still been unwell, I have managed to get out a little bit more each week and hope that January can bring more closure to what has been a tough few months.
We have all really enjoyed this month, trying to make simple family time together and it has involved alot of Christmas craft! It may have been quiet over here on the blog but that is mostly because I have been taking part in vlogmas so uploading a youtube video every day of our December and that hasn’t left much time for blogging! To be honest though I have really loved capturing our ordinary moments in a slightly different way and in 2017 I will definitely be making more of an effort to make some videos as vlogging is also something I have fallen in love with. And Eva now loves it too. How long do you think asking every day if she can watch another vlogmas will last!?
December has been all kinds of magical and I adore the run up to Christmas. Having small children at Christmas time is just the most magical of things and seeing the wonder in their eyes as they walk down the stairs each morning to look for the Elf or squeal with excitement at every Christmas light we pass is infectious and heartwarming and seeing Christmas, and life, from a child’s eyes is one of the very special things about being a parent at all.
This month doesn’t have a big story or a long post reflecting on our year because today has been another very special day. As I sit here and write this I have just put a 6 year old to bed for the very first time. Today has been Eva’s birthday. It has been a lovely day and now I am ready to relax and drink a Gin and Tonic in celebration that I have kept her alive for a whole 6 years, I have survived another year of mass present panic that comes with having a birthday so close to christmas and clink glasses with tears in my eyes that she is where it all began.
The Me and Mine project is one of my most favourite things that have come out of this blogging journey because even though I take so many photos, getting us all in the frame is something I am still not so good at. It is the time every single month when I wish there were two of me, to be both behind and in front of the camera! But whether it is our photo from August which is quite possibly one of the my most favourite photos I have ever taken or on a foggy day at the very last minute when no-one is really feeling it and most of them have a funny face, out of focus or someone running off, they are still captured and they are still us.
And maybe next year will be the year that I learn not to leave it till the very last day every single month!
So here we are in December, sometimes focused, sometimes blurred, always us.
xx
What lovely photos you have got through 2016- and these are lovely too. Your description of taking them made me smile as this was exactly the same as us yesterday- we headed out for a walk realising I hadn’t yet captured a single photo of the 4 of us together this month (not even at Christmas!?) and it was freezing, misty and everyone was in a grump and not really feeling it, so mine are misty and out of focus (and I had to use an old camera as I’ve left mine up in Bradford at Christmas!) but they capture us together and that’s the main thing, so I’m so pleased it’s not just us who get like that too 🙂 Anyway, they’re gorgeous photos and I’ve loved following your vlogmas. Here’s to their pair of us embracing vlogging in 2017. A xx
It happens almost every month! Eddy isn’t so keen either! X
They’re lovely wintery photos – and you did well with the ballon, they’re great fun but almost always seem to be facing the wrong direction!
Thank you and yes half the photos I took are the wrong way!! X
I agree the me and mine project is the best thing for me too. To have these photos of all of us together, no matter how crazy or blurred they are. I know that each of us will treasure them in years to come. These are lovely and with the added pressure of a balloon too! X #meandmine
It really is always worth the stress isn’t it? And I know, a balloon i don’t know what i was thinking!
What lovely photo’s. I love the fact they aren’t always perfectly focused and not everyone is always looking the right the way thats real life its not always perfect.
Ive only recently started taking part in the me and mine project but definitely want to carry on with it next year and put a bit more effort into the posts and our photos.
You are right it perfectly sums up our life! i love the Me and Mine and am always happy I did them even if sometimes we don’t want to!
I love all of your photos from the year. And I totally agree with you – 2016 has so been the fastest year ever! I hope Eva had a wonderful birthday and I hope you guys all have a brilliant new year! xx
Thank you lovely, Eva’s birthday was really really nice too x
I’ve always been such a fan of family photos, such a thing to cherish isn’t it, I know we do so much!2016 definitely whizzed by that it scared me! Lovely photos, and a Happy New Year xx
Yes i do definitely treasure them each and every month as i know that we wouldn’t have them otherwise. x
Aww what a beautiful collection of photos you have, the difference how they have developed over the year is magical. I love that I have found your blog and I think that it is my first time finding it too – I hope you to return many times in 2017. I haven’t managed to join in the project as much in 2016 as I did in 2015 as my husband has developed a dislike to the camera. I hope to somehow change that in 2017. You sound like you have had a magical Christmas and happy belated birthday to your 6 year old. G is six in 6 months and I am certain I will feel as you have. Have a great start to 2017 x #meandmine
Thank you for such a lovely comment, I adore photography but I really am just getting to grips with teaching myself so this means alot. I sympathise with the camera shy husband, he is pretty reluctant every single month! Fingers crossed you can use your power of persuasions this year x
Beautiful photos. I get very emotional on every birthday still, I have a 10 year old, 7 year old and 21 month old, they’re so precious and grow up so quickly! I don’t envy you having a birthday so close to Christmas.
It is such an emotional time isn’t it. I feel like i don’t really get a rest with Christmas, New year, her birthday and then it is my youngests on the 1st Feb too….all the emotions in little over a month!! x
I love how wintry your photos feel, and happy birthday to your little girl – I know what you mean about the present panic as my daughter’s birthday is 4 days before Christmas! Lovely to look back over 12 months of Me & Mine photos xx
It is madness isn’t it? My littlest is 1st Feb too so it isn’t over for us yet!
Happy 6th birthday to Eva – sounds like she had a lovely day. Love your family photos outdoors in the fog – so glad that hear that you are able to get out and about a bit more and are getting better. Lovely to look back over your year’s worth of photos – the photo from August is stunning – definitely one to go on the wall! 🙂 #meandmineproject
thank you yes she had a great day. the August picture is definitely destined for a frame, though I haven’t yet!! x
Your family captures are all so stunning. Love the foggy birthday ones too. Very mysterious and fun. It’s great to look back on a whole year of family memories and captures that’s why I adore this project so much. Happy New Year! #meandmineproject
Thanks Jenny that’s so lovely of you to say as i am always super critical of my photos. Happy New year to your family too x