• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About/Hire Me
    • About Me
    • Hire Me
    • Contact
    • Family
    • Faith
    • FAQ
    • My Running Story
    • Recipes
  • Disney
  • Fitness
    • runDisney Information Page
    • Fitness
    • Races
  • Parenting
  • Travel

Through Heather's Looking Glass

  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • family
  • About Me

2015 in Review

December 31, 2015 | asics, baby, blogging, fitness, motivation, runDisney, running, Travel

Whew! 2015 was quite a big year for our little family. It definitely looked different than most of 2014 since we have little Emma Kate now, but there was still plenty of adventure and fun!

In January I ran my first post baby half marathon, my favorite hometown race: Rock ‘n Roll New Orleans. It wasn’t pretty, but it gave me confidence that I could run long distances again, even right at four months post baby!

rock n roll NOLA

February brought a Walt Disney World vacation, and running the Princess half marathon with my partner in crime, Jen. We had a blast with our costumes, and it was great to be back in my favorite place after a year absence.

IMG_3119 (2)

March was also a milestone month. I hopped a plane to California to run the LA marathon with ASICS. It was an AMAZING once in a lifetime experience that was filled with fun, sweat, tears, and jaw dropping introductions. I felt so so blessed walking around all weekend. The race was very hot and so, so hard, but I felt extremely accomplished after and learned I can do hard things.

IMG_3612 (2)

IMG_3678 (2)

April brought Emma Kate’s first Easter, and our annual Easter race: The Crescent City Classic 10k. It was a rainy gloomy, cold day, but I love running in New Orleans and seeing blogger friends, so it made it worthwhile!

FullSizeRender (21)

IMG_4164 (2)

May brought me back to Walt Disney World for the final Expedition Everest Challenge. I am so glad I got to participate in this race once before it went away!

unnamed (7)

May was also special because it was my first Mother’s Day, and we dedicated baby Emma Kate at church.

unnamed (46)

June was pretty low key, except for when Bobby threw me a surprise 30th birthday party.

11214086_10155655408605526_152994721864390603_n

July brought Bobby’s annual conference in Destin Florida, and my parents tagged along to keep me company while Bobby was at his sessions.

IMG_6290 (2)

In August, Bobby and I made a purchase, a BIG purchase. We bought the local Orange Leaf frozen yogurt shop! This involved a lot of stress and a trip to Oklahoma for training, but things are going smoothly now.

11232282_957846206978_2214806590462618300_o

In September, Emma Kate turned ONE! We had a fun Minnie Mouse themed party at our house.

12004764_10156006286945526_7160159359607279391_n

12043019_10156006284830526_4470367867965218274_n

In October, my mom decided she wanted to go to Walt Disney World for her 60th birthday, so that’s exactly what we did! I surprised her by booking club level at the Polynesian for a few days, and also with a cake and a fireworks cruise. We had a blast!

12046857_858490990895031_5197711377959442845_n

PhotoPass_Visiting_Walt_Disney_World_Resort_7499432442 (2)

I also had the privilege of speaking at the Refresh Summit in Nashville at the end of October. I was sick the whole time but am still so glad I got to go share with the lovely women who attended. I was also asked to be an ASICS ambassador in October, such a great opportunity!

unnamed (47)

November brought cooler weather, tubes in EK’s ears, and Thanksgiving. My parents and sister came into town, and we also got to see some of Bobby’s family. Poor Emma Kate was sick that weekend, and ended up getting a mild case of hand foot and mouth.

ec4f157c-2638-473a-94fd-d1dce21a2caa

December of course brought the busyness of Christmas, and it went by in the blink of an eye. We went to my parents house for a few days, and it was great to just have a low key holiday.

1915907_989409583718_8243881176048526709_n

There are a lot of other things that happened in 2015, but this post is getting really long, so I will stop with what I have. There were a lot of uncertainties in 2015, and I can happily say a lot of them have resolved, but we still have some things up in the air I really can’t share right now. It’s so much fun to look back on the year and see the accumulation of all of the things that went on. It makes me smile. I hope you do as well when you look back on your 2015!

As always, thanks for hanging around and sticking with me here at THLG. I appreciate you all. Cheers to 2016!

IMG_9548

QOTD: What was your favorite thing you did in 2015?

Like this:

Like Loading...

Sign up for my newsletter

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kaitlin says

    December 31, 2015 at 6:49 am

    My favorite thing I did was run my first half marathon in Disney World! I was never athletic or into sports growing up so it was a big accomplishment!

    • Heather says

      December 31, 2015 at 9:39 am

      Such a huge accomplishment!

  2. Lesley says

    December 31, 2015 at 8:17 am

    My favorite thing was my birthday trip to Napa. I’d never been and I really want to go back 🙂

    • Heather says

      December 31, 2015 at 9:39 am

      Ohhh I want to go

  3. Christine @ Two Runners Travel says

    December 31, 2015 at 8:55 am

    Lots of milestones for you this year. My favorite moment was seeing my groom for the first time the day we got married. 🙂 Hard to top that!

    • Heather says

      December 31, 2015 at 9:39 am

      Definitely hard to top that one!

  4. Melissa says

    January 1, 2016 at 4:00 pm

    I completely understand the up in the air thing. We had a pretty terrible 2015 for that reason, and a lot is still up in the air. But things are looking up for us as well, so I’m hopeful that the next couple of months will bring some positive changes!

  5. Carrie says

    January 3, 2016 at 6:30 pm

    Will you be at WDW Marathon Weekend?

    • Heather says

      January 3, 2016 at 6:33 pm

      Yes! Running the half

      • Carrie says

        January 4, 2016 at 6:21 am

        I’m running my first full! I’ll be at MK Sunday evening, say hi! We met at your Princess meetup, Carrie.knit.run on Instagram. Have fun!

        • Heather says

          January 4, 2016 at 7:09 am

          I am getting on a disney cruise right after the half Saturday so I won’t be at the parks at all 🙁 we get there Friday and go to the expo and that’s about it ha

Primary Sidebar

I am Heather Montgomery, a 30 something southern girl living in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband Bobby, 10-year-old daughter Emma Kate, and our goldendoodles Dolly and Luna. I’m just a regular girl who likes to workout, travel, hang with my family, text, and eat chips and queso. Be sure to check out my “about me” page for more info!
Thank you for visiting, and feel free to contact me with questions, (or for PR inquiries or press trip invites) at Support@HeathersLookingGlass.com.

Please, no guest post requests. 🙂

More about me

Privacy Policy

You can also find me here:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • Tips for Surviving (and Thriving) as a Travel Ball Mom
  • Protecting Your Kids’ Eyes In the Digital Age
  • Late Spring Events Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
  • 6 Ways to Make Mother’s Day Special This Year
  • Exciting News: Allegiant Air Launches New Knoxville to Gulf Shores Nonstop Flight

 

Search

How to Start a Blog

How to start a blog
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • Family
Tucked away just outside of Gatlinburg, Alpine Hav Tucked away just outside of Gatlinburg, Alpine Haven was everything we wanted in a mountain getaway—and then some. ⛰️ 

This luxury cabin has 4 spacious bedrooms (including one with built-in bunks that my daughter loved) and 4 full bathrooms, making it perfect for a family trip or group vacation.

We spent our days soaking in the hot tub with mountain views, lounging on the deck by the fireplace with coffee in hand, and playing pool in the game room. 

The cabin even has its own private sauna and steam room—YES, really! It felt like a full-on spa experience right in the woods. ✨ 

And one of the best surprises? It has its own playground, which was a total hit with with daughter and such a bonus for keeping little ones entertained.

We were just minutes from downtown Gatlinburg, but honestly, we barely wanted to leave. If you’re planning a Smoky Mountains trip, Alpine Haven is that perfect mix of cozy, modern, and wow-worthy. 💫

🚨 Use code Heather10 at the 🔗 in my bio to save 10% on your stay at one of their 3 cabins! 
@alpine_haven_cabin_spa 

#AlpineHavenCabinpartner #alpinehavencabin #GatlinburgCabin #TennesseeCabin #LuxuryCabinRental #SmokyMountainGetaway #FamilyTravel #CabinGoals #luxurycabin
Looking to sneak away without the kids and reconne Looking to sneak away without the kids and reconnect as a couple? #For21+ #Sponsored ✨ 

Hendersonville, NC is open and ready to welcome you with small-town charm, sweeping vineyard views, and incredible local flavor along the Cheers! Trail! 🍷🍻

We spent two amazing days exploring everything from cozy coffee shops to vibrant wineries — and you can steal our exact itinerary for your next getaway! 🧳💑

🍽️ Stayed at: The Charleston Inn @thecharlestoninn

🍕 Lunch: West First Wood-Fired @westfirstwf

🍇 Wine tasting: Marked Tree Vineyard @markedtreevineyard

🌮 Dinner: Tipsy Taco @tipsytacoofficial

☕ Next day coffee: Arabella’s @arabellahvl

🍳 Breakfast: Mike’s on Main @mikesonmainstreet

🛍️ Shopping: Downtown (McFarlan Bakery = must-visit!) @mcfarlanbakery 

🍷 Lunch + Tasting: Burntshirt Vineyards at The Vintner’s Table @burntshirt.vineyards 

Want to sip and explore like we did? Download the NEW Digital Cheers! Pass from Visit Hendersonville — your gateway to a flavorful adventure! 🍻

This free digital pass unlocks exclusive tasting experiences at Hendersonville’s best breweries, wineries, cideries, and meaderies. Whether you love bold IPAs, crisp ciders, or smooth reds, there’s something for every artisanal beverage lover. Check in as you go to earn points and redeem them for exclusive Cheers! Trail merchandise — all while supporting local makers.

After Hurricane Helene, they are so happy to welcome visitors back to @visithendersonvillenc! Their wineries, breweries, cideries, and more are ready to pour, and their charming downtown is eager for you to wander. Local businesses are so welcoming and ready to invite you to experience the southern hospitality of the area—come rediscover what makes it so special. 

Plan your trip to Hendersonville today — your next romantic adventure is just a sip away.

#VisitHendersonville #CheersTrail #HendersonvilleNC #CouplesGetaway #SipStayRepeat
🏰 We have been planning this for months. I th 🏰 We have been planning this for months. 

I thought about the right time to surprise her, and after then lost the state AAU tournament in the championship game, AND she was sick (crazy cough at the end of the video haha!) 

I knew this would be the perfect time to cheer her up. I think it worked. 😜

Check out my story highlight on my profile called “Disneyland70” if you missed all the fun! 

#disneyland70 #disneyland70th #surprisedisneytrip #disneycreators #disneylandpark #disneylandsurprise #disneyland70thanniversary
GIFT-AWAY! 🎉 I feel so blessed to be at openi GIFT-AWAY! 🎉 

I feel so blessed to be at opening weekend of @disneyland’s 70th celebration, that I wanted to give something back to one of YOU! 

I picked up the light up balloon 70th popcorn bucket AND a travel wine tumbler that I am gifting to one of my followers just for following along and being here. 💙 (I really want to keep them both but I’d rather spoil one of yall!) 

See below for entry!

1.) Follow @heatherslg 
2.) ❤️ this post 
3.) tag at least 2 friends in separate comments (can tag more, each tag is one entry!)
4.) Tell me your favorite Disney movie 

BONUS!
Share this post to your stories and TAG ME! Counts for 5 entries ONLY from this account! 

BONUS 2: F0llow @bobbymontg  for 3 extra entries! 

Not associated with IG. Must be 18 to enter. US only (sorry to my international friends!) ends May 25th, I will announce in stories! 

#disneyland70th #disneyland70 #popcornbucket #disneymerchandise #disneylandmerchandise #disneyland #disneygiveaway
We spent the evening at Mountain Mile in Pigeon Fo We spent the evening at Mountain Mile in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and it was one of those simple, sweet evenings that just felt good. 

Located right in the heart of Pigeon Forge, @mountainmilepf is an open-air shopping and entertainment area with gorgeous views of the Smoky Mountains (seriously—those views 😍). It’s super family-friendly, easy to walk around, and there’s so much to do without feeling overwhelming.

We wandered through cute boutiques and shops, played yard games, and just enjoyed being outside in such a pretty setting. There are over 40 shops and restaurants here—plus thrill rides if that’s your thing (we skipped them this time, but they looked fun!).

It’s one of those places where you can go slow, let the kids run around a little, sit and relax with a coffee, or get your shopping fix—all in one spot. And the giant lawn area with yard games? Perfect for kids (or tired parents 😅).

If you’re visiting the Smokies and want something fun and low-stress that everyone can enjoy, I definitely recommend adding Mountain Mile to your list.

🎯 Free parking
📍Central location in Pigeon Forge
👟 Easy to walk + stroller friendly
🍽️ Restaurants, snacks, coffee, and more (Azul was delicious!)
🛍️ Shops from boutique to big brand
🎡 Rides + a massive lawn space for kids to play

Let me know if you’ve been or are planning to go—I’d love to hear your favorite spots there! #mountainmilepartner

#PigeonForge #MountainMile #FamilyTravel #ThingsToDoInPigeonForge #TennesseeTrip #TravelWithKids #SmokyMountainViews #FlourishAndGlowTravels #OutdoorFun #TravelWithFamily #FamilyAdventure #TravelTip
He did it for the gram 💁🏻‍♀️ #instagr He did it for the gram 💁🏻‍♀️

#instagramhusband #blooper #instagramfunny #funnyfails #funnyfalls #doorbellcamera
Before & after… and I’m honestly still in awe Before & after… and I’m honestly still in awe of the difference this rug made. 😁 

I found it at @revival and couldn’t be happier — it’s soft underfoot, doesn’t shed (huge win), and is stain-resistant, which is exactly what we need in a house with kids and pets. It also came with free shipping and easy returns, which made the whole process so simple.

Made in Turkey and beautifully crafted, it feels like the perfect mix of style and practicality — especially for a home that sees a lot of paw prints. 🐾 

Use code 10OFF-HEATHERSLG for 10% off, but this offer won’t last long! (🔗 in bio!) 

#RevivalRugs #RevivalPartner #beforeandafter #homedecorrefresh #newrug

Copyright © 2025 · Through Heather's Looking Glass · Theme by Bella Creative Studio

%d