Maybe it just got lost amongst college planning, dates with my boyfriend, and the pursuit of coolness. But somewhere in my late teens, the holidays lost their magic. Sure, I would still get excited about the season of family gatherings, cookie baking, and Christmas music, but it just wasn’t the same. I don’t think I even carved a pumpkin from the years 2004-2008. I think I was just going through a shift that happens with a person becomes independent and tries to navigate adulthood. But when Phil and I decided to start our own family, one of the things I was most looking forward to was having the real chance to get excited again for the holidays. Decorating our home for the seasons could finally bring joy to someone besides myself. Traditions would become important once again, and we could experience the excitement of the holiday season through the sparkling eyes of our children.

This Fall, the Phil and I took Lucy to Maize Valley, a local farm that bustles with family friendly activities this time of year. They have a huge corn maze, a pumpkin patch, hot air balloons, hay rides, animals, games, and even a pumpkin cannon! Lucy was amazed at everything, and we were amazed at her amazement. It occurred to me that I was finally, genuinely enjoying seasonal traditions again, and that maybe this trip to the pumpkin patch was a bit more for me than for it was for Lucy. I mean, she probably won’t remember it, anyway. But it’s my hope that while she might not remember the specific moments when she first experienced the magic of Fall and the joy of Christmas, the lingering feelings of excitement and comfort will leave a deep impression in her tiny heart. These early experiences is how nostalgia is born, and I’m hoping we’re getting her off to a good start with plenty of warm fuzzies for the years to come!

Don’t be alarmed. I know Phil and I look a little freaky here, but this was only the beginning of the most amazing costumes we’ve ever created! If you want to see the finished products, check out my post today at Babble. It was pretty cool seeing everyone’s mouth-agape reactions as we walked around Canton in costume! There were shrieks of amazement, cheers, honks, people asking for photos… needless to say, this was a Halloween costume worth repeating. And pretty easy to accomplish! Check it out here.

Friends and family are quick to joke that Lucy is probably the most photographed baby of all time. And while that probably should be the case (because, come on, admit it, she’s just SO STINKIN’ CUTE), it totally isn’t! We’re always busy rushing off to photograph someone else’s family, child, or wedding, that we tend to keep the camera away when we’re at home, especially now that Lucy is into everything. That bag of equipment is my livelihood, and Lucy’s quick to put everything in her mouth! But when I was looking through photos for Lucy’s first birthday party invitations, I realized that I hardly ever take photos of this precious kiddo, that aren’t on my iPod, that is. Whoops.

So Phil and I took some time this week to take photos of our rambunctious, havoc-wreaking, and heart-melting one-year-old, before she’s all grown up! And yes- it does take two of us to get photos of this kid! She figured out quickly that it’s tons of fun to through yourself off the orange chair because Mommy or Daddy will catch you. Ayayayay. Oh, and by the way, there are more photos from this set available for peeping on our photography website here.

I love you, little Lucy Jo! I couldn’t have gotten through this past year without you or Daddy. Mwah!