2013 in Review (January-June)

It's hard to believe it's already time to do my year-end posts. Sometimes it feels like the days go slow but the years go fast. I enjoy these posts because there's so much I forget, and it helps remind me that my time wasn't completely taken up with work, sleep and phone games. ;) Here we go! This is some of the more positive stuff. I'll spare you the lows of 2013. You've seen most of these photos before, but there are a few new ones interspersed.

JANUARY

We began the year with a lot of frost, which gave me some nice photo ops. Otherwise, I guess it was a usual January--not a lot going on since it's so cold and dark outside.

FEBRUARY

In February, I had my first giveaway in my blog--a Valentine's package. That was fun! I hope to do more giveaways in the future.

My mom came to visit again for an annual women's conference I help with for work. I can't remember if this was her second or third time visiting for the conference. We also did a puzzle, watched movies and relaxed.

I also started a 40 Days of Thanks project for Lent (see posts here).

MARCH

The weather was awesome for March! I loooooved it. This is when life gets going again.

I had a spring party for my girlfriends. We decorated cookies and painted eggs. These types of gatherings can be a lot of work, but they are generally so worth it. Not only do I enjoy the prep, but we have a lot of fun and make some memories. Well, at least for me since I have pictures to remember it by. :)

I went to Deepwood for some picture-taking.

I did a portrait shoot on Easter day, and it was not only enjoyable, but I felt pretty good about the resulting images. And the weather rocked so much.

APRIL

In April, I had my first experience with a macro lens. I was so, so excited to rent one and try it out. I can remember being super impatient waiting for FedEx to drop it off!

My friend Mariel let me be her photographer for some graduation portraits!

I took a trip to CA to visit my parents and get even more practice with the macro lens. It was a fun, sunny visit full of photography and probably many episodes of House Hunters.

I also bought a Fitbit One this month and started tracking my steps. My Fitbit is one of my favorite 2013 purchases!

MAY

The Fitbit, lovely weather, and scenery motivated me to walk a lot this month. I started listening to audiobooks on my walks and really enjoyed my neighborhood. I felt like this was a high point in my year--I was full of motivation and in love with my surroundings.

I started watching and photographing some goslings that were growing up behind my home.

I took portraits of Bella for her first birthday.

Memorial weekend was rainy and I mostly stayed in and hung out with a friend, playing games and watching DVDs. I revisited Twilight (both the book and movie) and laughed a lot at the silliness.

JUNE

My parents gave me my very own macro lens! So began some experimentation with droplets and anything else I could try the lens on. I'm still practicing--there's a lot more I want to try. I hope to have some fun stuff to share in 2014.

I went up to the Seattle area to spend a weekend with my friend Dan and his parents. It was great, as usual. We played games, saw bunnies in the neighborhood, and visited Marymoor Park (above).

I went with some friends to a local art store where they let you do glass projects. I've always been interested in doing something like that but never had. It was definitely harder than I had imagined!

I decided to divide these highlights into two posts since it's getting kind of long. July through December are in this separate post.