2018: Highlights Reel

Every year as one calendar comes to it's end and a fresh one looms I get all nostalgic. This year December draws to a close amongst a sea of "busy" for us. I almost couldn't be bothered doing my annual Highlights Reel blog post, but then I remembered how grounding it is to look back over the year that has been as we begin looking forward to the next. I write this blog post much more for myself than for anyone else - it's become inspiring to look back at these annual blog posts over time and see how far things have come, remember all the changes that have happened and to laugh at how many times I've changed my hairstyle in a few short years!

2018 marks my second year full-time as a photographer. I couldn't imagine it any other way now! 17 weddings, 30+ portrait sessions, a brand new business mentoring workshop added to my education line-up, our 2nd annual #heidihortoncouples reunion and a new studio!!! All in 2018.

I got stuck back into my photography book project again this winter. You never know I might just get it finished in 2019! (Find out more about it here.)

And while work has had a few changes & been busier than ever, we've also packed a fair amount into our lives this year...

Matt started racing again, this time with super-motard.

On days off we had plenty of adventures with friends from 4wd-ing up past Piano Flat, to bush walks and mountain-biking.

At the end of last summer wedding season we took off back to Rarotonga for 10 days of relaxing!

While we were in Raro we kept our fingers crossed that our house would sell, as we'd just put it on the market...

But instead we were taught to have patience as it took another 6 months for it to finally sell!

As we said goodbye to 94 Liverpool, we got to say hello to 40 Liverpool - a 1/2 acre block of land that we can't wait to start building our forever home on in 2019!

Our reason for selling & re-building? We're on a journey to simplify our lives, down-sizing the home, the debt and the stress so that we can spend more time doing the things we love, more time with our loved ones, travel more and simply make the most of life. While from the outside it can seem like we have a great life balance, we work some big hours and most of our efforts were all to pay the mortgage and bills - we woke up one day and thought there’s got to be another way. And so that’s what we’re doing. You can follow our journey here.

Among other things Percy rabbit is doing well except that he learnt how to escape his run & we had to build him a bigger, escape proof run. Him and Henry co-exist happily and 99% of the time they're best of friends!

I learnt to crochet this year - taught by my talented mum-in-law. So far I've managed scarves, hats, cotton coasters, bags and I'm working on a big merino blanket for the bed at the moment which is going to take me years!

​Also Henry got a crazy haircut...

We made it to Wellington for photography conference where I got to meet my all-time photography idol, Sue Bryce! Matt and I also pretended to be models for one of the workshops.

Then in October we flew to the Philippines for Matt's first ever visit & my first trip back since I was fifteen. My Mum's family are all from the Philippines and it was so good to see them all.

My cousin got married & I was a bridesmaid.

We did Horton Family Christmas early this year as everyone was heading in different directions at Christmas time. I love this bunch of crazies!

And as I hit publish on this blog post Matt and I are up in the North Island for a couple of weeks of tripping around with friends. The perfect end to a brilliant year.

2018 you've been a full-on, awesome, wild ride! Matt and I have made some pretty big life decisions, our trip to the Philippines was amazing and we've made so many good memories with family and friends.

2019 brings with it my last year in the 20's so I'd better make it a goodie! Here's to ticking a few more things off my bucket list, getting our house built and living our best life! 🥂 Bring on the new year! x