HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024!
At the end of each year I like to take a moment to look back at the year and make a recap post of our family adventures and happenings. 2023 was a fantastic year in so many ways for us, but I admit I am so tired. Maybe you’ll see why if you read on. I think I need more time to rest and recharge before even setting goals and plans for 2024…! You can read here my 2022 review post, and from there go backwards, if you wish.
Beach walk with Madelina, Piper and Daniel. January 2023, iPhone image.
At Countryside Citrus with my sister’s family. January 2023, iPhone image.
JANUARY
We started the year in Maine, as we often do. We enjoyed snow (no ice on lake), and took a big group cross country skiing (sadly the trails were pretty bad). We left early January and traveled home to Florida, leaving my sister’s family in Maine for a bit longer. Mae needed to get her braces adjusted, and we started homeschool, and enjoyed beach walks, art museum, Disney and horseback riding. Scott and I took a trip to Jekyll Island (GA) to celebrate our 29th or 30th wedding anniversary (I thought it was our 30th, but it wasn’t, heh). The last week of January my sister’s family came to visit from Maine! The reunion was so sweet! We took the cousins to the beach, strawberry picking and roller skating.
Mae about to take a dip in the frozen lake in Lapland. February 2023, Nikon D850, 50mm
Below: Mae with a husky and a reindeer, Nikon D850, 50mm
Pictures with Santa and northern lights were purchased from Santa and the tour company.
FEBRUARY
Andrew, Abby, Mae and I spent two weeks in Finland! We helped my mom with various tasks and enjoyed the cold, dark and snowy Seinajoki - more than I expected! February is a great time to go for a visit! We took hikes in the woods, went sledding, swimming in the town indoor swimming pool & sauna complex (it was a lot nicer than when I lived in Seinajoki), played lots of Mexican Train, took a day trip to the summer house, Mae got a ski lesson at Joupiska, and a highlight: took a sleeper train to Rovaniemi! We crossed the Arctic Circle, visited Santa, went on a reindeer sled ride and husky ride, visited an ice castle, and saw northern lights (barely, but they were there). We also reserved a sauna on a lake and took dips in the icy lake. Exhilarating!!!!
Our visit was over too fast, and it was time to return to Florida. Jet lag was terrible, but we had fun plans to jump into. I had a very special (half) Day in the Life Session in Palmetto, FL and Scott and I combined a visit to our beloved Pass-a-Grille in St. Pete Beach. And then my sister’s family came back from Maine - with the purpose of finding a home in Florida as my brother-in-law got a new job in Orlando.
Beach in March 2023, iPhone image
At Indian River Firefighters’ Fair March 2023, iPhone image
Cardboard sledding in Sebastian, FL March 2023, iPhone image
MARCH
In March we spent a lot of time in Orlando as my sister’s family settled into their new home. At the same time Sarah and Gladston moved from Arizona to Washington state. Abby turned 17! We renewed our Disney passes, and they got their annual passes, and we met at Disney many times. So much fun! We also brought the cousins to Indian River Firefighters’ Fair, and Indian River STEAMFEST as Abby and I photographed this educational and fantastic event, again.
After surgery. April 2023, iPhone image
In April we had Baby Animal Sessions with Sarah’s Party Animals. April 2023, Nikon Z6, 24-70mm
After Baby Animal Sessions picnic in April 2023, iPhone image
APRIL
April was a big month for Mae. She finished her homeschool co-op in Fort Pierce, and at the Faces of History presentation she shared dressed as Mary (mother of Jesus) and shared her essay. So well done! Mae also had her bone graft surgery in West Palm Beach, and while there was swelling, pain and discomfort, and a very limited diet and activity levels for several weeks, she was such a great patient! She got her ears pierced the same week!
The cousins came over for Easter and we attended a sweet sunrise Easter service on the beach. We also visited Brevard Zoo with the cousins.
FPEA Homeschool Convention in May 2023, iphone image
(We purchased CrossWired Science for next year!)
Knapp Family Disney Vero Beach Session in May 2023, Nikon D850, 85mm
(Blog post by my daughter Sarah and SnapBlogs!)
MAY
Mae finished 4th grade! Abby continued working on her high school material. We did Disney trips, and attended the FPEA Homeschool Convention. Mae had her first eye exam and got her first glasses. We really enjoyed being in Florida for the Spring. I had many wonderful photo sessions with both new and repeat families. I love my little job! It is so meaningful to serve families with my photography, and I love having Abby help me, and Sarah with most of my blog posts, too.
In Rangeley, Maine during work camp, May 2023, iPhone image
Princess Alaska Cruise, June 2023, iPhone image
Below:
Various Nikon Z6, 24-70mm images from our Alaska Cruise in June 2023
JUNE
June 1st Andrew moved out. He got an engineering job in Georgia (about 8 hours away). So exciting for him, but we were super mopey about him moving out. We distracted ourselves by flying to Maine for our annual June work weeks. My nephew Braiden joined our work crew. We worked very hard to get our camp ready for summer renters, inside and out. Mae turned double-digits!
Mid-month Abby, Braiden and Mae flew back to Florida to my sister’s, and Scott and I flew to Vancouver, Canada. We went on an epic Alaska cruise with our friends M and J. What an absolutely incredible trip! We want to go back!
Scott and I ended our trip in Seattle, Washington visiting our daughter Sarah and her husband Gladston. Whew, what a month!
Late Birthday party at Skate Factory for Mae - 10 years old! July 2023, Nikon D850, 50mm
Below:
Various photos from our Finland reunion in July 2023, Nikon D850, 50mm
JULY
After we all got back home, we made a spur of the moment decision to go to Finland for two weeks. All my siblings were getting together at our mom’s summer cabin, and I didn’t want to miss out! Abby, Mae and I got horrible tickets with two layovers and made our way to the family cabin. It was amazing to be together after many years, and I’m glad we went. On our way back home to Florida one of our flights was cancelled, and JetBlue didn’t rebook us on a new flight until the next day from Boston. “Sorry, no vouchers for meals or hotels. Sorry, can’t put you on a waitlist - for a fee - for a new flight either.” Pretty disappointing, but that’s what (international) travel can be. We ended up taking a bus to New Hampshire and spending a night there. Fortunately for us we were able to meet up with Daniel and Madelina! And finally made it home, too.
Our entire Family Week Crew in Rangeley in August 2023 (missing Andrew!!!!)
Photo by Aura Moore Photography
Below:
First set of photos by Aura Moore Photography
Second set of photos: Daniel and Madelina’s Engagement photos, various family photos, August 2023, Nikon D850, (mostly) 70-200mm
AUGUST
After a week at home it was time for our annual family week in Maine. Andrew couldn’t join us because of his new job, but the rest of our older children came, also Grandma and Grandpa, my sister and her family, and our close friends B & P from New Hampshire. One day my friend Aura Moore came to do a Day in The Life Session with us all, which was such a blessing! This family week is always a highlight of our year! Some could only stay for the week, or maybe two, but quite a few of us stayed in Maine until September. Lots of cousin time, swimming, hiking, playing.
On Sarah and Gladston’s second wedding anniversary Daniel and Madelina came to Rangeley ENGAGED from their outing to Mount Washington (New Hampshire)!!!! Woot!!! We promptly did an engagement photo shoot to celebrate.
Early September 2023 brought nice weather. iPhone image
Below:
Various Tennessee photos from September 2023, iPhone images
SEPTEMBER
Early in the month we started homeschooling again: we continued 11th grade with Abby and started 5th grade with Mae. After the first week in Maine we traveled home to Florida for a week. Because this was the year of travel, we flew to Tennessee for a vacation week. At the last minute a decision was made: my nephew Braiden came with us, too. Best decision, as we visited Dollywood, and someone needed to do rides with Mae! We had a great time exploring, hanging out and resting.
Photographer in training! October 2023 in Maine, iPhone image
Below:
A collection of iPhone and Nikon D850, mostly 50mm images
October 2023 in Maine
OCTOBER
In Florida it was still so very hot. We decided to skip town and go back north. We made it to Maine in time to see foliage and do some great hikes. We visited an apple orchard in Farmington, and Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad (narrow gauge) in Phillips.
Once back in Florida, my busy season as a family photographer began, and I also did school photography. Abby helped with many sessions, and I was either shooting or editing (or both!) every day and night. Grandma and Grandpa arrived at the end of the month - always so special to be with them, and they were such a big help with me working. They always find a few house projects, too! Thank you!!!!
On Halloween this year Mae first wore a homemade Wall-E costume, and then went out as Mary (mother of Jesus). I loved seeing people’s reactions! Such a great costume.
Thanksgiving in Florida 2023, iPhone image
Below:
Various November photos from Countryside Citrus, Daniel and Madelina’s wedding (photos by Tyrie Mehaffey Photography), next day send-off from St. Petersburg (photos by me), mostly Nikon Z8, 50mm, and iPhone images from Finland end of November, 2023
NOVEMBER
I don’t think we could have filled anything else to a month: house projects, a birthday party (cousin C), Disney, homeschooling, last homeschool co-op, Mae’s Archery classes at ELC, pre-wedding events, Countryside Citrus Maze, photo sessions and editing, a symphony concert, a wellness visit, Daniel moving out (last of the quadruplets - more boohooo - see June), Daniel and Madelina’s WEDDING weekend in St. Pete Beach, Sarah and Gladston visiting us, going to Painted Frog and beach walks. Then Thanksgiving at our house with my sister’s family. And because the month just wasn’t busy enough, I flew to Finland! Yes! For the third time this year! It was a super quick trip - I was away a week, which meant three days I was traveling, and four days in Seinajoki (one of them was a day trip to the summer cabin). I enjoyed my few days there, although November in Finland is cold and dark. This time there was snow, which made it very beautiful! The reason I went was to bring my mom to United States, and I was successful! Many people were praying for my mom to be well enough to come, and by the grace of God we made it. On December 2nd we arrived on a direct flight to Miami, and made it to Vero Beach.
Mumma at the HEL airport on December 2nd, 2023, iPhone image
DECEMBER
Advent. Come, Lord Jesus.
In December it was time to slow down our pace, make our way to Maine for our family Christmas, and celebrate the birth of our Savior.
We traveled with my sister and her kids, and were thrilled to be in snowy Rangeley. Sadly a winter storm came with heavy rain and winds, and we lost all of the snow, plus all roads in and out were closed due to flooding and damage. Thomas, Sarah and Gladston arrived in Maine on the quads’ 25th birthday, but couldn’t travel up to us! Scott braved hours of zig-zagging across Maine and New Hampshire to pick them up from Portland, Maine the next day. They made it for my birthday when I turned 50! Then Andrew and my sister’s husband arrived too, and we were together for Christmas with a crew of 17. Bliss! We missed Daniel and Madelina very much, but it sounds like they had a sweet little Christmas in Florida.
No snow until the end of the month, and the lake is still open, but we are closing this year by being together. Resting and relaxing. Taking walks, making and enjoying yummy foods, reading good books, playing new and old games and movies.
I don’t make new year resolutions, but instead I want to have Jesus lead the way. More of Him in everything. That is what I wish for you, also: May the New Year 2024 be the year you draw even closer to Jesus as you understand more fully how much He loves you, and wants to be with you. Come as you are - no need to shape up and be better, just surrender your year (and life) to Jesus and let Him fill you with more of Him and His goodness.
Happy New Year 2024!
xo
Sennu (and Abby)