a hello and a goodbye

And so, just like that, 2015 is behind us and 2016 lies ahead... a big blank year ready to have adventures written all over it. Saying goodbye to 2015 was hard, it was one heck of a year for us. In some ways it was exactly how I expected, but in other ways it brought a lot of surprises. I guess you could argue that most years are like that to some extent. But we had expected 2015 to be a simple year; one of growth and adventure, with a trip to Disney and a little man starting school being the main big moments. As it happened both of those big and amazing moments were somewhat outshone by the arrival of our littlest lady. Back in December last year I had expected to be expecting the following Christmas, I would not have thought I'd have a baby in my arms instead. But what a beautiful and perfect curve ball she's turned out to be.

I feel like 2016 is going to be our baby year... because this time next year our littlest will be 14 months old and leaving those baby days behind her. I'm determined to embrace and enjoy this year full  in a way I'm not sure I fully did or could with the older two born as close together as they were. Our beautiful littlest lady is going to change so much this year and I'm so excited to have a front row seat for all of that. By contrast, while our beautiful big boy and girl will grow and change this year too, I don't expect any seismic shifts for them. This time next year he'll still be at school (albeit a school year higher) and she'll still be at preschool, they'll be taller I imagine, and cleverer I have no doubt, but much as they are now by comparison to their baby sis.

Although with any luck 2016 shouldn't be a quiet one, because more than anything we would like to move house this year. And heaven knows that isn't going to be easy with three little people and two cats in tow. I know it'll probably be one of the most stressful things we'll ever have to go through, selling and buying a home is absolutely rife with potential stumbling blocks and problems, but we are so ready for a new space (and more of it) to call our own. So keep your fingers crossed for us, that by this time next year we're seeing in the new year somewhere new.

And of course it's natural that with all that looking ahead to new things, there is also a certain amount of reflection at this time of year...

This year has seen our little man start school, learn to write (something I love because he writes me lots of little notes now), start football, learn more things about space than I could have thought possible, make so many new friends and just generally grow into an amazing little gent.

Our beautiful girl has blossomed this year. She's lost the slightly shy nature she once had, and now just fully embraces every new thing with a huge smile on her face. She's taken to the role of big sister like she was absolutely born to do it, and she's just so kind, polite and friendly, but with a hefty streak of wild for good measure too.

And in one year, our littlest one has gone from simply an idea and a twinkle into a perfect little reality. What a difference a year makes hey? She has been and continues to be an amazing little addition to our family, and it's crazy to think that twelve months ago we couldn't have even dreamed her up.

I decided that as a sort of summing up of our year I would choose three photographs from each month that I absolutely love, so without further ado, let me give you our 2015 in pictures.

In January...

...we had wintery walks at the seaside...

... Rich and I enjoyed a luxury night away...

... and these two were thick as thieves.

During February...

... this little fella turned 4...

...we enjoyed some trips to the park...

... and around the gorgeous village that we call home.

March was all about one very exciting thing...

... Disney! (Okay so I cheated and chose four photos for March because I love them all!)

Then in April...

 ... we had our annual Spring trip to Wales...

... and we announced that our family would be going from a four...

... to a five!!!

In May...

... we had our annual trip to the bluebell woods...

... witnessed some real life magic...

... and had our first sunshiny days at G Nan's caravan of the summer.

Then in June was all about days out...

... to the seaside for my birthday...

... to beautiful gardens...

... and for picnics (where we had to hide from the rain under big trees.)

July saw...

... our little man graduate from preschool...

... and us enjoying some sunshiny days...

... during our final summer as a four.

Then in August...

 ...there were sunny days in the sunflowers...

...beautiful beach huts days...

... plenty of sand between our toes...

... and traditional August gate photos. (I cheated and did four again... oops!)

September was all about three things...

... this one starting preschool...

... this one starting big school...

... and a third birthday...

... as well as being a real end-of-an-era month. (And I cheated again... I give up!)

Because October was all about one thing...

... this little lady arriving...

... turning a duo into a trio...

... and our four into a five.

During November...

... we got to know our newest family member a little bit more each day...

... and found our feet juggling three kids (and an umbrella!)

Then we rounded off the year in December...

... with big smiles...

... kisses and cuddles...

... and a perfect family Christmas.

Bring it on 2016. We are so ready for the fun you hold in store!