Family Photos 2025
Left it to the last day of 2025 to get family pictures, but we did it! I told everyone to wear whatever they wanted that’s comfortable, then I stepped in because track suits and bright socks was too crazy for me haha.
Green seems to be our color of the year, and I count it as Baby Henry’s color since all of his stuff is in the same shade. It just feels grounding, natural, and like growth or a new beginning. We certainly have had a lot of growth this year, both physically growing our family with a new baby and even becoming emotionally stronger as a family unit as together we survived my difficult pregnancy, Baby’s months long hospital stay, and his continued medical challenges.
I asked what the best thing about this year is, and the kids all unanimously agreed it was Baby Henry. I think the family pictures reflect that since he’s in every single one, and it’s also why we chose to have our individual portraits show that person’s relationship with him.
It’s been a special year having my sister Adelyn be a big part of our journey. Even though I helped raise her when she was little and we shared a room so I could care for her as a baby, this is the first time I’ve been able to enjoy a close relationship with her as a grown adult. She and her sweet husband moved here just before we found out I was pregnant, and I thank Heavenly Father for helping us reconnect when I didn’t know I really needed her. The kids have benefitted so much from having that extra love and attention from their Aunt and Uncle.
My sister is the best and has been here for me through morning sickness, soccer seasons, upsetting doctor appointments, hospital bedrest, the ups and downs of the NICU, emotional drama, and being a rock for the kids and I. I can’t adequately express how much I love and appreciate her, but she is one of the only people I feel okay with seeing my house in its most vulnerable chaotic state and not stop her from cleaning it. She happened to be coming to visit us the day of pictures, and fit right in. If her hubby wasn’t away working he’d be in these, too.
We’ve had so much help and support from our friends, neighbors, coworkers, family, and even strangers through this. I have learned how GOOD people are, how STRONG kindness and compassion are, how LOVED our family is in our “village”. I have felt more love and gratitude this year to people and God even though 2025 has probably been the most work ever haha! My bones and body are weary, but my heart is filled with happiness. We are truly blessed beyond measure.
