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January 8, 2021
COVID-19, New Year

Looking back on 2020

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine.

I’ve started these last couple of recaps with my top 9. And while I love doing that, I don’t feel like it truly represents my year. Yes, the most people liked those top nine photos on Instagram more than any of the other photos, but I don’t necessarily trust Instagram (or the algorithm) to give each of my photos a fair shot πŸ˜‰ While the top nine include some great moments, I also wanted to add nine more that represent the year more than just Millie being born (as great as that was!) I am glad that our 8 year anniversary pic from August snuck up in the mix or else all the photos would have only been of the first quarter of the year PRE COVID!

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine.

Ta-da! Here are the nine more (all post-COVID!) Those 18 photos together really sum up our year πŸ˜‰ HAHA! Jk. I always find recap posts a bit hard. So many of those little moments make a year – not just the vacations, milestones, or picture perfect photos BUT it is always fun to look back on the photos of the year before.

So here comes the recap (although I already did the Instagram side of things!) In a similar format that I did in 2019 + 2018 because I’ve grown in my recap knowledge and skill since my 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013 recaps πŸ˜‰ Although, there is something nice about the month by month of 2013 so depending on how the rest of this post shakes out, I may bring that element back one day! In other news, can you believe that I have so many recap posts?!?! Like where do the years go?!?! And clearly I am finally getting a consistent look and feel for my photography! Look at how all these photos over the year go so well together! YAY me!

Now we move onto the blog where I share my most viewed posts from 2020…

  • My Maternity Leave Plan – This post is less of a plan and more of a compellation of thoughts, but maybe that is why it resonated with you! Or maybe it is just the great photos! Still some of my favorite photos!
  • Our favorite places to shop for Outfits for the Girls – Yes! I took weeks on this post (because I only get like 10 minute spurts to blog πŸ˜‰ and I was so excited to put it all together for you guys! Plus all the photos!!
  • Millie Bea’s Birth Story – We are days away from her first birthday and I cannot even. Forever thankful that we brought the camera in with us to get the photos of Millie during my c-section!
  • The Nursery Reveal – It was so fun making a room for the girls here in our new home!
  • Baby #2: What we are doing the same and what we are doing differently – Looking back on this it is funny to see how already things changed. And COVID had a lot to do with it! I only pumped ONE TIME this year! lol!!!
  • Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy – Hilde has such sensitive skin and I am SO glad we found something that works for her!
  • Bringing Home Baby – These pictures will always be some of my favorites.
  • How to Make a GIF for Instagram – Because everything is better in GIF form!
  • Quarantine Photo Challenge – I did this for that first “2 weeks” of flattening the curve. Guess it is a popular post because we can still technically do this challenge!

Next up, MORE BLOG POSTS! πŸ˜‰ Apparently I am all about not trusting the stats this year because I’m sharing my own favorites for the blog too. Heck, it is my recap so I figured you would like to see what you think are the best posts and what I think are! Full disclosure, I love all the posts from above! It’s my blog and I kind of love it all. So these next nine are just nine more posts that I really liked from this year that stand out to me and I want to share with you!

  • Giving Thanks in 2020 – This is one of my favorite posts because I shared a lot on my heart about this year and the goodness of the Lord.
  • Traveling to Disney World during COVID – I was so scared this trip would be not fun because of all the mask wearing, rules, and closures but it ended up being SO sweet and I am so thankful I got the opportunity to be with my whole family!
  • Eight Years Together – Very thankful to be celebrating our 8th anniversary together!
  • Back at the Pool – We lived at the pool this summer and it was THE BEST!
  • Should you start a Blog in 2020? – Yes, the answer is always yes πŸ˜‰
  • Getting out with my Girls – Love my girls and love Colorado!
  • I am not Enough – This is a good read.
  • How to Achieve Consistency in your Photography – Sharing about my presets and how I take and edit photos!
  • The Entryway – The last Before + After of 2020!

Moving on… more blog posts! JK! Not more blog posts, just some of my most shopped products that I shared with you (that I can track based off affiliate links!) These were some of the most popular according to the numbers:

  1. I’m pretty sure this photo is what made so many of you buy a Bumbo Seat too!
  2. We love these lovey blankets for the girls! We also have matching toddler ones that they sleep with every night!!!
  3. This Big Sis shirt is still popular even though it is from a post last year!
  4. The Pineapple Hamper has been a big hit since I bought it in 2018!
  5. This adorable Bow-Tie Beanie that the girls have worn all year!

Lastly, I wanted to share some of my favorite brand images. I’ve been able to work with brands both as a photographer and an influencer so not all my collaborations make it to you. I’ve been working on building up my brand photography and it’s honestly been super fun for me to see my style change and evolve as I have grown!

Alright, this is another one of those posts that took me entirely too long to put together but I just felt like I needed to do the year justice. 2020 was hard, weird, and unlike anything I would have imagined our planned but God is good, so faithful, and on the throne. I’ve been hurt, worried, offended, anxious, overwhelmed, annoyed, discouraged, by some of the trials that I have walked through this year BUT WOULD YOU LOOK AT ALL THE JOY?! The beauty, the fun, the peace in the midst of it all?! 2020, you were not a wasted year. I’m still thankful for you because each day is a gift.

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Hello + Welcome!

I’m Elizabeth, a Colorado photographer and blogger. I’m also a wife, mama, sister, daughter, and friend! Welcome to Oak + Oats! Here we look for the remarkable in the every day. We love photographing our daily moments, making memories, and sharing our favorite places here in this space.

Our happiest days are spent together – many of those with a camera in hand! My free time (ie: Nap Time) is spent behind my computer screen sharing our tips and stories with you! I’m glad you’re here!

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OLDER POSTS

2021 Photo Calendar

Christmas Eve

Oh Christmas Tree

The North Pole

A Christmas Tour Of Our House

The Family Holiday Gift Guide

Creating Christmas Family Traditions & Being okay when they Change

New Mama Holiday Gift Guide

Unique Bible Verses to include in your Christmas Cards

Christmas Outfits for baby + Toddler Girl

Our Christmas Tree

BuybuyBABY Toy Gift Guide

Millennial Mom Holiday Gift Guide

The Entryway

Giving Thanks in 2020

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

Oh hey guys it's me! I've been in and out of Insta Oh hey guys it's me! I've been in and out of Instagram lately. A couple months ago I deleted Instagram from my phone for a little break. And I keep doing it because it is so nice. Sometimes I delete the app but still have photos post because they are scheduled and now you know my little secret πŸ˜‰ ⁠
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But really, I just took another break and while I am committed to this place because it holds so many of my memories, I'm not like super addicted to it (which is really a healthy place to be!) HAHA. ⁠
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I'm realizing I don't have unlimited time to post and share all the things I want to and so when I do have time, I want to spend more time of it creating blog posts and less time scrolling IG. It's not you, it's me! HAHA. If you want to to keep hearing from me, make sure you are subscribed to our emails!! Link in bio and also stories!
It's been too long since we had a #HildeintheAir p It's been too long since we had a #HildeintheAir pic. You're welcome!
12 MONTHS πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰β  ⁠ This little turned o 12 MONTHS πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰β 
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This little turned one whole year this week! Figured I should wait for the official stats to include in our last monthly photo 😭😍😭😍 22.2 lbs and 30.3 inches tall. Not as big as her sister but still a pretty big baby. β πŸ™ŒπŸΌ
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According to tradition, we went out to breakfast (so thankful restaurants were open for indoor seating) and she ate as much as her big sis! ⁠
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Current favorite word is book but she also says dada all day long. And the roars. She LOVES TO ROAR! ⁠( other words: mama, ruff, and signs "all done")
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In every effort to keep up with her favorite friend & sibling, she is already walking around like she owns the place and we just cannot even with her! SO MUCH LOVE! ⁠😍
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Happy Birthday #OurMillieBea⁠
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PS: I have a one year old and a two year old now. WHAT?!?!? 🀯
We put @photowall_sweden wallpaper up in our dinin We put @photowall_sweden wallpaper up in our dining room and now everything looks like a still life painting. I don't hate it.
About as cake smashy as our cake smash got! Big si About as cake smashy as our cake smash got! Big sis ate more off the tray than #OurMillieBea did! Only one finger got in her mouth and an essence of icing made her smell like a piece of cake the rest of the night πŸ˜πŸ˜‚
Happy Birthday my littlest πŸŽ‰ One year old, my h Happy Birthday my littlest πŸŽ‰ One year old, my how the time flies! Beyond grateful for the gift you are to our family! You bring both your parents and your big sister so much JOY! Spent most of my day with my family and this little birthday girl not getting birthday posts edited + written + posted but that's the way it should be! Good thing I like to celebrate birthdays all month long because lots more of #OurMillieBea coming soon!

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