A Look Back at 2025 – My Family’s Year in Review

An End-of-Year Reminder: You Don’t Have to Capture Everything to Remember It

This year, I didn’t get my camera out as much as I wanted to.

And for a while, that bothered me.

But when I actually slowed down and looked back—really looked back—I realized something important: just because I didn’t document every moment doesn’t mean the moments weren’t there.

This year was loud and playful and milestone-filled and ordinary in the very best way.

We played in the snow.

Went absolutely crazy more times than I can count.

Spent hours on playgrounds and even more time just being together.

There were multiple aquarium trips (because the season pass is too good to skip), wide-eyed wonder at mermaids behind glass and Scuba Santa with his elves, greenhouse visits, water balloons, playing in the rain, biking on trails and driveways, nature walks, fishing, day trips to the beach, an unplugged weekend at the mountains, so many pool days, and all the messy magic in between.

This year didn’t need to be perfectly documented to be deeply lived.

The Big Little Moments That Made This Year Ours

Some of our favorite memories came from the in-between days.

Chinese New Year in Lancaster City.

Local carnivals and fairs.

So much trick-or-treating fun.

Happy Hauntings at Dutch Wonderland.

Friends’ birthday parties and church events and field trips that all blur together in the best way.

Estella graduated Pre-K and started kindergarten—still feels wild to say that out loud.

She turned 6, lost her first and second tooth (cue the Tooth Fairy visits), and grew in ways that feel both exciting and bittersweet.

Marino turned 3, moved out of the crib (how?), and reminded us daily that big personalities come in small bodies. We celebrated with a joint Spidey-themed birthday party, bounce-house fun at Bounce Kraze.

We got summer pool passes where Estella made huge strides with swimming. Watching her confidence grow was one of my favorite parts of the entire year.

Mommy & Me, Just Before the Big Leap

Right before kindergarten started, Estella and I had a mommy-and-me day I’ll hold onto forever.

Breakfast at Oola Bowls.

Her very first haircut (she can't wait to see Lizz again at the Unicorn Suite).

A gel manicure (because six is very grown). @zaedidthem

Lunch at Olive Garden, back to school mall shopping, and time at the arcade.

Nothing extravagant. Everything meaningful.

That day felt like a pause button—one last deep breath before a brand-new season.

Trips That Filled Our Cups

For Estella’s 6th birthday, she had one request: “I want to stay in a hotel.”

So we did.

We took our first family trip to Ocean City, Maryland and stayed at the Francis Scott Key Resort for the weekend. It was simple and fun and exactly what she wanted. Sometimes the best memories come from saying yes to small dreams.

Angel and I also celebrated 10 years of marriage this year (ten!). We spent a weekend in Philadelphia exploring Christmas markets, visiting an Emo Christmas pop-up bar, wandering the city, and soaking in time together—just us. A reminder that our story matters too.

The Year I Didn’t Photograph Enough… and Loved Fully Anyway

There were birthday celebrations in Vegas, a prom dress event at church, Christmas magic layered on thick at the end of the year, and family photos that did happen—beautifully captured by Melissa Engle Photography.

This year reminded me that photography isn’t about perfection or volume. It’s about intention. About noticing. About remembering that even when life feels fast and messy, it’s still deeply meaningful.

You don’t have to capture everything to prove it mattered.

You just have to live it.

And this year? We really did.

Winter

Spring

Summer

Christmas in July

Autumn

Family Photos by the wonderful Melissa Engle Photography

Christmas Time

As we close out the year, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to spend my days creating and preserving memories—both for my family and yours.

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If you’ve ever thought about capturing your family’s year in photos, I’d love to help you preserve those moments. From tiny everyday joys to big milestone celebrations, I specialize in creating memories that will last a lifetime. Let’s work together to turn your family’s unique story into timeless treasures. https://www.tashaskyecreative.com/contact