See ya later November! I’m back with another monthly recap in online scrapbook form – aka the blog!
Ummmm, does anyone else feel like November was here and gone in a flash? I feel like I kept saying that Thanksgiving was “so late” this year, and then it was here quicker than I imagined. I think that makes for a pretty good – and hopefully productive – month when the days aren’t dragging by.
The month started out with a freezing cold engagement session (#worthit), and a chilly downtown wedding day with one of our favorite couples. Then Kyle made a 5am drop-off at the airport the next morning so that I could travel to sunny Phoenix for 5 days for a photography conference. Even at the tail end of the busy fall season, it was good for my soul to spend a few days away with my photog gal pals, Krystal and Kate. It was my first time attending United, and I’m sure I’ll return again the future. Best yet? The sunshine throughout the week didn’t hurt us one bit at all! ?
After returning back from Phoenix, Kyle and I packed up for another wedding day but this time in Springfield. After the marathon between travel and weddings on weddings, my body was tired. So, of course, I came down with a double ear infection and upper respiratory infection but was thankful for a few days without sessions to rest and stay home. Once I was feeling better, we were back in the swing with a few more November engagement sessions, hosting small group at our home on Sundays, and playing Monday night volleyball at church.
By the middle of the month, I got to photograph and snuggle my cousin’s newest baby. It’s so sweet being the photographer in the family and being able to document these moments in my own family’s lives! And if you know me, you know I preach to have your camera gear cleaned a couple times a year… So I dropped my gear off and was gear free for 4 days mid-November. It was a nice little retreat from my camera – we both need time away from each other sometimes! ?
Then, by the fourth weekend (crazy there were 5 in November!) of the month, Kyle and I had a Saturday off work. We were so excited to wake up without alarms that morning and darn it, we were up by 7am and ready to go. Ha! Another fun thing that weekend off work brought was a surprise birthday gathering for Kyle’s brother! Our SIL Erin managed to organize a surprise night in the city with the brothers – our husbands – getting to spend unexpected time together. It was such a fun night!
Okay, okay, then the month REALLY picked up. It was already Thanksgiving week, what! Now, I’m not normally one to decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving, but this year, I broke my own rules. We went with our friends for a tree hunt on November 24th, and I have no regrets about decorating earlier than usual. Then, the week brought a super fun trip to the orthodontist. Yep, I’m a 20-something gal still going to the orthodontist, but hey, I’ve got aligners in and we are bound to fix one of my teeth once and for all – LOL! Then, I got to see one of my past couples and their family for photos before the Thanksgiving holiday. Love, love, love.
On Thanksgiving day, I originally planned on baking two pies. Well, two pies turned into three and three pies into FOUR PIES. Everyone had a favorite pie request! We loved spending the day baking and prepping for a delicious dinner at my Aunt’s. Then, Black Friday brought our annual enjoyment of biscuits, gravy, and beer at my husband’s work, Brickstone Brewery, followed by a little shopping. Our Thanksgiving weekend was filled with annual family photos, breakfast at our favorite little cafe up the street, puppy snuggles, time with Kyle’s brothers, and finally, one more Thanksgiving gathering!
Looking back on just last month, it was a good one to us. Cheers to December and the holiday season! ✨
P.S. – Wanna see more behind the scenes and personal life updates? Click here!
