Memories, Dreams, Reflections 2011

What a great way to reflect on the previous year. Most pictures are from 2011 with the exception of a few.

1. Me! What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2011?

I am most proud of my healthy, smooth pregnancy which resulted in the birth of my beautiful baby girl!

2. I love you

I love this picture of my husband and daughter. She is a daddy's girl and they are so cute together. I love them both so much.

3. Still Laughing

This photo cracks me up because my daughter has the chubbiest cheeks and whenever she sucks on her pacifier she gets little lines around the corners of her mouth. And I love how she is smiling in this picture, she just looks so goofy!

4. Winter Wonderland

Taken at the Zoo at Como Park near Minneapolis. This zoo was way cooler than I expected, they had this huge polar bear that was loving the cold weather.

5. Birthday

My husband & nephew celebrated their birthday's together this year. They are two peas in a pod and it was fun to watch them together.

6. Friends

I couldn't pick just one. The first is of me and one of my best and longest friends. It is so cool to have gone through so much of life together. The second picture is of 2 of my good girlfriends and their babies, all of our kids were born within a few weeks of each other. It was so neat to go through our first pregnancies together.

7. I was Inspired

This picture inspires me to be more creatively with my photography. My resolution for 2012 is to take the camera off automatic and get creative!

8. Spring Fever

This was taken at one of my favorite places on earth, the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL. I love every season there, and the water pouring over the dam with the new greens on the branches lets me know that spring is here!

9. Travel or Vacation

This was taken this year at Thanksgiving during our annual family walk to Lake Michigan after dinner and before pie. 

10. Summer Days

This summer my husband and I had one last great date before our daughter was born. We packed a picnic and went to Ravinia to watch Lord of the Rings on a big projector screen on the lawn while the Chicago Symphony Orchestra played the score to the movie. It was a very cool night!

11. A Day in My Life

Currently we are living in a hotel, and this is my life. Chaotic, cramped, and so glad it's almost over!

12. All Smiles

Who doesn't smile when they're eating pie?

13. Autumn Harvest

Corn Maze with the hubs.

14. Family or Home

I had a hard time with this because I feel like I don't really have a home right now. But this was taken at the community house in Bethany Beach, Michigan where I spent my summers as a kid. My Grandma now rents out this space everything Thanksgiving because there are usually upwards of 30 people that join in. Bethany Beach, and my extended family keep me grounded and happy.

15. Celebrate!

Happy New Year!

16. Let's Do it Again

I love Chicago, and I really love the architectural boat cruises. I could do this almost every day. I'd especially like to do this particular one again because it down poured for the last 15 minutes or so and we got soaked!

17. I Miss You

I really miss the Morton Arboretum. I used to go for walks there all the time, and it's where my husband and I got married. It is such a beautiful and reflective place filled with so many memories.

18. Beautiful

This is the sidewalk in front of our old apartment building. I used to love going for walks out there, especially in the fall when the trees would turn these magnificent colors.

19. Dress Up

My sister in her beautiful dress on her wedding day.

20. Macro

21. Holidays

Nothing says Thanksgiving in my family like "LPR's" (little pecan rolls, yes they have a nickname)

22. My Favorite

According to the photo information, this picture was taken at 2:37pm on August 30, 7 hours after my daughter was born. I was exhausted from not sleeping at all but couldn't take a nap because I didn't want to stop looking at her. This is by far my favorite memory of 2011.

23. Don't Ever Change

My sister is the best. She is goofy, can be a little aloof, but is also the kindest person you will ever meet. She recently got married and they are the cutest couple. Trisha, I hope you never change, and are always willing to grab Ben's butt :)

24. Just Because-so there! 

Fun with the Christmas lights and a long shutter speed!

25. Hopes and Dreams

With 2011 under my belt, I look forward to what 2012 has in store for me. I've made the usual resolutions like lose weight, drink more water, read more etc. But I also want this year to be the year that I improve myself in different ways such as continue school and get back into photography. This year I am hoping to care less about what others think of me and care more about becoming the kind of person I want to be.