Our family trips are everything to me and I just wanna soak up every second. Film photography is my new favorite way to capture all the real, raw moments. It's okay to feel all the feels when you look back at memories, even if it's just been a few days. Remember to be present and grateful for the little things, bc those are the big things. Sometimes you just need to get away and reset with your people, it's good for the soul!

Our Family Trip on Film: Why These Moments Mean Everything to Me

Okay so I'm looking at these film photos from our trip and ngl, I'm already getting emotional and missing these days. It's just so crazy how fast time flies when you're making memories with your favorite people. I'm just feeling so incredibly grateful for every single second.

I mean, why am I crying looking at these already? Like, we just got back, but it feels like a lifetime ago and I just want to go back and relive every single laugh, every messy meal, every sandy toe. It's just wild how a few pictures can transport you right back to a feeling, you know? And film just hits different, it really does. It captures something that digital just can't, like the actual *vibe* of the moment. I love this so much :,)

The Magic of Film Photography

So, you guys know I'm all about capturing memories, right? Like, my phone is basically an extension of my hand bc I'm always snapping pics or videos of the girls. But lately, I've been really into film photography. Tanner got me this little point-and-shoot film camera a while ago and at first, I was like, 'okay, this is cute, but is it really worth the extra step?' Hahah, I h8 that about myself, always questioning things. But then I started getting the rolls developed, and oh. my. gosh. It's a whole new world!

There's just something so raw and authentic about film. You don't get to see the picture right away, so you're not overthinking it, not trying to get the 'perfect' shot. You just point and shoot and hope for the best. And then when you finally get them back, it's like opening a little time capsule. Every picture is a surprise, and honestly, they always turn out so much better than I expect. They have this warmth, this grain, this *feeling* that just makes them so special. It's like a little piece of art, you know? It's not just a picture, it's a memory, frozen in time, with all its imperfections and beauty. I love that so much. It's like the universe saying, 'hey, remember this? It was good.'

For this trip, I made a conscious effort to use the film camera more, and I'm so glad I did. Looking at these now, they just bring me right back. The sun on Stella's face, Ozzy's messy hair from playing all day, baby Cherry's little toes in the sand. It's all there, perfectly imperfect. It's just so good, you guys. So if you're thinking about trying film, do it! You won't regret it. It's a little extra step, but it's sm worth it for the memories you get back.

Soaking Up Every Second with My Girls (and Tanner, of course!)

You guys know my family is my everything. Like, literally my whole world. And these trips, whether they're big or small, are just so important to me. It's not just about seeing new places, it's about being together, uninterrupted. No schedules (well, mostly no schedules hahah), no distractions, just us. It's when we really connect, when we make those core memories that I know we'll all look back on for years to come. I mean, I'm already looking back on them and it's only been a few days! :,)

Stella is getting so big, and she's just such a little adventurer. She loves exploring and trying new things. Ozzy is still my wild child, always running around, always laughing. And Cherry, oh my sweet baby Cherry, she's just taking it all in, wide-eyed and curious. Watching them experience new things, seeing their little faces light up, it's just the best feeling in the world. It makes my heart so full, I can't even explain it. And Tanner, my amazing husband, he's always right there with us, making sure everyone's having fun, making me laugh, being the best dad ever. I couldn't imagine doing any of this without him. He's my rock, my hype man, my everything. Sometimes I feel like I'm just living in a dream, honestly. I'm so lucky.

I remember one day on the trip, we were just sitting on the beach, watching the sunset. The girls were playing in the sand, Tanner had his arm around me, and the sky was just doing its thing, all pink and orange and purple. And I just had this moment where I thought, 'this is it. This is what life is all about.' Not the perfect picture, not the perfect outfit, just this raw, beautiful moment with my people. And I just tried to soak it all in, every single second. Bc I know how fast it goes. I know these little moments are fleeting, and I just want to remember them all.

The Importance of Getting Away and Resetting

Life can get so busy, right? Like, between work and school and just everyday life, it's easy to get caught up in the routine. And sometimes, you just need a break. You need to get away, change your scenery, and just reset. For us, these trips are so important for that. It's a chance to step away from the laundry piles and the to-do lists and just be present. It's a chance to reconnect as a family, to remember what's truly important.

I feel like when we're on a trip, everyone's a little more relaxed, a little more open. We have more time for conversations, for silly games, for just *being*. And I always come back feeling so refreshed and re-energized. It's like a little reset button for my soul. And it reminds me to bring that same energy back home, to try and find those moments of connection and presence even in our everyday lives. It's not always easy, bc life is life, but it's something I'm always working on.

I'm just so grateful that we get to do these things together. I think about my mom, raising me as a single mom, and how hard she worked to give me everything. She taught me the value of family and making memories, even when things were tough. And I just want to do the same for my girls, to give them a childhood full of love and laughter and amazing experiences. It's not about how fancy the trip is, it's about the time we spend together. That's what really matters.

Feeling All the Feels and Embracing Gratitude

So yeah, looking at these film photos, I'm feeling a lot of things. A little bit of sadness that it's over, a lot of happiness for the memories we made, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Gratitude for my family, for these moments, for the opportunity to see the world through my children's eyes. It's just so good, you guys. So, so good.

It's okay to feel emotional about memories, even recent ones. It just means they were special, right? It means they touched your heart. And I think it's important to lean into those feelings, to let yourself feel the joy and the nostalgia. It's a reminder to cherish every single day, bc they really do fly by. One minute they're tiny babies, the next they're running around on the beach, and then before you know it, they'll be grown. So I'm just trying to soak it all in, every single second.

I hope you all are doing good too, wherever you are. And I hope you're making your own beautiful memories, big or small. Remember to take pictures (film or digital!), hug your people tight, and just be present. That's all that really matters in the end. Sending you all so much love! ❤