Favorite Photos, Memories, and Moments of 2023

2023 was a big year for our family:

  • Ian bought a new jet ski, bought a new truck, got his CDL, started a new job, and went back to college full time.  
  • Alec toured colleges, got accepted to both (with merit scholarships), earned all sorts of baking/culinary awards, tried out countless new recipes, and really settling into his job at the cafe.  
  • Evan turned 16, began driving, started teaching himself to play the piano, and enjoyed a trip with me down south to visit family.
  • We went on far too many hikes to count and found quite a few new places to explore. We took a few trips, we saw lots of extended family members, and really tried to make the most of our year.


Here are some of my favorite memories, moments, and photos from the year:

Seeing Cirque Du Soleil in January

Alec turns 17!

Alec enters a cake decorating contest & wins 1st prize in his category



My husband and I elevated our date nights and explored Mystic one day in April

May found us explore Bar Harbor and Acadia Maine


Evan and I also checked out the Tower Hill Botanical Gardens in May

June found us hiking through Shenandoah, checking out King's Dominion, and quite a few caves and caverns
Alec flying through the air at King's Dominion



July found my husband and I visiting Ogunquit Maine


And touring the Culinary Institute of America with Alec


We had a few out of town guests in August so we threw a family cookout

And explored a nature preserve together

August also found us celebrating a milestone birthday for my husband's step-mother


In September we went to eat at the restaurant Alec's school runs; his first shift of his senior year

Evan turned 16 and got his learner's permit for driving

Also in September Evan and I spent a day at Roger Williams Park and zoo...


while Alec spent a day shadowing/baking at Johnson and Wales University

In October, Evan, my mom, and I all went down to visit my sisters and aunt

My aunt hosted us all for dinner one night


We had so many beautiful hikes in October

And saw Alec off to his homecoming dance. 

Ian, my husband, and a friend (seen here) all went deep sea fishing one day in November and caught a TON of fish to fill up our freezers.

Linking up with: Spread the Kindness, 






Comments

  1. Kathrine EldridgeDecember 22, 2023 at 6:53 AM

    What a fabulous year for you and your family! Thanks for shairng all these memories. I love that you and your family hike so much. The pics you share are always incredible. Merry Christmas and happy 2024!

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. HollyDecember 22, 2023 at 7:42 AM

    What a great year! You are blessed. Merry Christmas my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Maria RineerDecember 22, 2023 at 8:05 AM

    You had so many great adventures in 2023! Congrats to all of the accomplishments of your boys. Have a Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dara @ Not In JerseyDecember 22, 2023 at 8:42 AM

    A wonderful year for you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  5. mireilleDecember 22, 2023 at 9:31 AM

    Congrats on your son's scholarships! Lots of great happenings for you in 2023!
    www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. PamelaDecember 22, 2023 at 9:57 AM

    Merry Christmas, Joanne!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 22, 2023 at 10:23 AM

      Thank you, Merry Christmas to you too Pamela.

      Delete
  7. Writing SparkleDecember 22, 2023 at 10:58 AM

    Wow, so many great things to look back on in 2023. That's fabulous. Wishing you an amazing 2024, Joanne.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jodie's Touch of StyleDecember 22, 2023 at 12:14 PM

    Cirque shows are always so amazing, and so was your year.
    OXOX
    Jodie

    ReplyDelete
  9. Andrea NineDecember 22, 2023 at 12:53 PM

    I love your year in photos! Merry Christmas sweetheart

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lydia C. LeeDecember 22, 2023 at 4:12 PM

    What a lovely collection of family moments - I love the gopher (Ottoer? What is it?) shot best tho! Ha

    ReplyDelete
  11. MariaDecember 22, 2023 at 4:26 PM

    It looks like you had an amazing year! Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
    xx,
    Maria

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 22, 2023 at 4:37 PM

      Thank you! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!

      Delete
  12. Jennifer JonesDecember 22, 2023 at 7:37 PM

    Lovely memories here for you and your family. Also great photos. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Looking forward to reconnecting in 2024

    ReplyDelete
  13. NatalieDecember 22, 2023 at 10:12 PM

    What a wonderful year for you and your family. Thank you for your weekend coffee share. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  14. MarshaDecember 23, 2023 at 12:06 AM

    That's it! I have decided you need to plan out my year so I can look back and have these wonderful memories! Congrats to all your boys! Has your son decided which college he's attending? Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 23, 2023 at 6:08 PM

      LOL! I always said I might have missed my calling as a vacation planner. :)

      Delete
  15. Wildflower AdventuresDecember 23, 2023 at 8:58 AM

    Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Good memories.

    ReplyDelete
  16. EllibelleDecember 23, 2023 at 11:25 AM

    Lots of great memories made in 2023! Such wonderful pictures!
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Kim CarberryDecember 23, 2023 at 3:39 PM

    What a wonderful year for you and your family. Alec's baking and cake decorating is amazing!!
    Merry Christmas and wishing you all the best for 2024. x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Memphis BridgesDecember 23, 2023 at 4:42 PM

    What great highlights of family, food and travel! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nancy 's Fashion StyleDecember 24, 2023 at 3:42 AM

    Merry Christmas for you and your family Joanne!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Janet AlcornDecember 24, 2023 at 1:00 PM

    What a fabulous year! Congrats to your kids on their milestones! I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  21. MELODY JACOBDecember 24, 2023 at 1:43 PM

    What an incredible year for your family! So many achievements and exciting milestones. Wishing you all even more success, joy, and memorable moments in the coming year. Here's to more adventures and happiness in 2024!

    Visit https://www.melodyjacob.com/2023/12/what-i-would-love-to-be-gifted-for-Christmas-and-new-year.html

    ReplyDelete
  22. Lisa notes...December 24, 2023 at 9:46 PM

    Looks like you had such a great year. May 2024 bring you just as many adventures!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Doused in Pink | Chicago Style BlogDecember 25, 2023 at 12:07 PM

    You and your family had an incredible 2023! Cheers to 2024!

    Jill - Doused in Pink

    ReplyDelete
  24. Megan RussellDecember 26, 2023 at 8:13 AM

    Lots of fun things in 2023! Hard to believe it's almost 2024....

    ReplyDelete
  25. KirstinDecember 27, 2023 at 8:29 AM

    You had a great year. I need to sit down this week and plan my end of year reflection post for Sunday Stills and Writers Quote. Love all the photos. I would love to go back to the NE states again.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Tamar SBDecember 28, 2023 at 10:01 AM

    You had such a great year!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Lindsay's Sweet WorldJanuary 5, 2024 at 9:14 AM

    Y'all had a huge year, Joanne! So many milestones! Praying that 2024 is a great year for y'all!

    ReplyDelete
  28. NatashaJanuary 6, 2024 at 9:49 PM

    You had some wonderful moments in 2023 and I'm a little jealous of the trips you got to take with just your husband :)

    ReplyDelete

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