2016 has been an epic and heartbreaking year. I heard someone say once "life gets harder as you get older" and I am living that truth these days. Despite the challenges and heartbreaks I have captured moments of love and laughter and I am grateful to be able to reflect on these moments.
There are a few pictures I would have loved to include, however they are on my very dead laptop. Perhaps I will add them in when I finally get time to retrieve them. Some of these pictures I love because of the magic of the shot, but most I love just because of the magic of the moment.
A boy and a puppy, plus a pool equals an unforgettable afternoon
The view from my deck. I could have included hundreds of sunset pictures, I don't ever seem to get tired of trying to capture the beauty of them.
One of the lilies from my garden, held up against the sky. 
Weed or wish?
An early morning bike ride with the sun framed beautifully. 
My baby girl Maddie and my broken heart. After months of fighting for her, learning to do things I didn't think I could trying to give her enough care to help her fight. Ultimately I had to say goodbye.
A spring raccoon issue was maddening at times, but I couldn't resist capturing how cute they were either. Although after a couple weeks of my dogs spotting, hunting and tree'ing them it got really old. 
Perhaps not the greatest shot artistically, but with three dogs and one that is just now 18 months, when they are side by side, I grab the shot! 
Door County. My family calls me Jo or Joi so I framed this as my nameplate. 
Capturing a storm coming in over the marina. 
August was the beginning of mom staying with me for several months. Although it meant a lot of work for me, the days of having her here were the most amazing treasures of this year. I had so many wonderful and amazing moments with her and so much time to just be with her. 
A walk at Butterfly Pond with Mama. 
Again, when they are side by side I grab it.
One of my favorite places to catch a sunrise, summer evenings often find me in my Jeep with at least one of my dogs grabbing shots.
Our annual trip to the Little Farmer. 
October in Biloxi with my BFF, an epic trip that was life changing for both of us. So grateful I have this kind of friendship and grateful for this trip in so many ways. 
Biloxi sunset.
On our way to the office, and my little dude sits right along side me.
One of my favorite people in the world home for a visit was chance for girls night out. The night ended with an epic stop for tacos! 
Often the sunset rides have bonus gift of deer sightings. Which never get old either. 
Sunset ride with the outdoor prayer area lit by nature. 
From a different spot that night. 
I was leaving the area and saw these beauties. 
I decided to take a picture ride one afternoon, grabbing my camera and Ellie. The decision to do this was pretty big at the time, but this shot will be a lasting memory of this decision to take one more step in direction of taking my life back. 
An unexpected warm fall day gave me a last chance ride. 
Super moon. 
Did I mention I never get tired of sunset pictures? 
The two girls gave life a challenge this year by getting into an awful fight. All the "experts" say once this happens you need to decide which one to get rid of which was never an option. For months the work to keep them separated and to do the daily arduous work needed for re-integration was so tiring. there were days I cried. But several months later this was taken on one of the first afternoons I had them together again in the yard. 
Our annual flower buying trip with an ice cream stop. 
Coming out of my office on a Saturday afternoon, a bit grumpy about the need to be there on the weekend and this gift was unfolding across the sky.
Storm rolling in from the view of my deck. 
After a year of Maggie just not quite being herself, my baby girl started to come back this year with a little playfulness and spark. 
On an afternoon walk the lighting was perfect for this shot. 
This little dude just lives in JOY!
The most amazing clouds ever. 
Mom and her boy side by side.
Two trips to Kentucky this summer. I fell in love, created memories and captured hundreds of amazing shots.
The ride down to Kentucky, Ellie spent plenty of time taking care of Mama. 
From the highway somewhere in Indiana. 
The sisters....worth every hour in the truck! 
My aunt, uncle and Mama. 
Round 2: Maggie got to come with for this roadtrip. Maggie loves my mom beyond belief so they spent the return trip snuggling. 
Kentucky. 
Summerfest and Tim McGraw concert. Aside from the concert the best part was having Ellie down there with me the whole weekend.
This little dude brings more laughter and joy to my heart than I thought possible.
Christmas shopping and my girl getting an A & W doggy sundae.
Trying to get a Christmas picture. 400 plus shots later, this was the best I could get and it's not great. But I will take it. 
My little dude loves to unwrap gifts. His or other peoples it doesn't matter. 
As of today my Mama is still in hospital, she has been there since December 12th. It's been a long haul, but still hopeful and praying. 
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