My "First Trip Around the Sun"

I did it.  I made it through my first year of my 365 photo blog (with lots of inspiration from my sister Dana and her blog).  I definitely used my camera more this year than in the past (although now that I have a decent phone with an actual decent camera, maybe I can relax on the "old-school-camera-in-the-purse-all-the-time" thing).  And I definitely cheated a bit on the dates (although I'd say 80%-ish are actually from the correct day).  I'll admit there were times when it got a little stressful (or maybe the better word is annoying) when I was so far behind that I felt guilty for putting off my self-imposed homework. Overall, though, it is really fun to go through the pictures and, perhaps even better, to see them change throughout the year.

Here are a few of my favorites from the year:

January

The Twins' Last Night in Cribs

February

Sam & Our Brightly Colored Snow

March 

Lukie Gets Tubes

April

Brothers

May

Ready for Summer Fun

June

Riding Bikes

July 

Water Buddies

August

Brothers at Camp VLugt

September

Playing at the Playground

October

Schwalliers!

November

Anticipating Christmas with the Polar Express Train

December

My Beautiful Babies

Merry Christmas: Part II (VLugt Edition)

The Crazy Bunch:  All 11 Grandbabies (and helpers).

Christmas with the VanderLugt's this year was crazy, loud, boisterous, delicious, messy, and fun.  We packed into my parents' house (which is a large house ... but there are a LOT of us), plus my Aunt Karen & Uncle Jack (for dinner), and celebrated Jesus with food, fellowship, and just a few presents.  

Ashley & Lucas enjoy some Christmas cookies.

Silly Lukie.

Levi playing "Down low, too slow" with Uncle Jack.

Noah monitors Lukie's unwrapping progress.

Tyler eating Christmas cookies.

Sam trying out his new sled.