15 Years of Memories: Why Tracy S. Creates a Year-in-Review Mixbook for Each of Her Kids

A long-standing family tradition that turns everyday moments into lasting stories

For over 15 years, Tracy S. has kept a quiet but powerful tradition alive: making a custom photo book for each of her three kids at the end of every year. What started as a practical way to organize memories has grown into something more—a shared ritual of storytelling, reflection, and connection.

“We wanted them to have access to photo memories that weren't tied up on digital devices,” Tracy said. “We also wanted to have a place to record memories and the cute things they say and do.”

Every Mixbook is unique to that child’s year—filled with milestones, mischief, and the small but unforgettable details that often get lost in the blur of daily life.

Over the years, Tracy’s yearbooks have taken on a life of their own, with recurring themes her family has come to cherish.

“Since I've been doing this for 15 years, there have been some theme pages like ‘Sibling Mania’ that show up each year, with fun pictures of the siblings,” she shared. “Now, sometimes when we take photos of them together, I'll say ‘Sibling Mania photo!’ and we know that might be one for the book!”

Each book also includes pages for vacations, holidays, and time spent with special friends and family. The format might shift slightly year to year, but the purpose remains: to reflect their lives back to them in a way that feels honest, fun, and full of love.

Even with three photo books to create each year, Tracy finds the Mixbook process smooth and flexible—especially as her photo library has grown.

“It is so user-friendly and turns out beautifully, even if I don't have time to add all the stickers and flair!” she said. “I like that I can upload from my Google Photos. And this past year, I was doing 3 books for my 3 children at the same time, and being able to upload from Google Photos helps out a lot.”

These books aren’t just for the kids—they’ve become a touchstone for the entire family.

“Sometimes they will reference them by pulling one out and sharing a memory—and always, when we receive them, we take time to sit down one-on-one and go through it together, recounting their year.”

One photo, in particular, holds deep emotional weight for Tracy and her children.

“Their grandma passed away last year, and while that was super hard, including their last photos with her from vacation was really meaningful,” she said. “I shed some tears recording those memories and photos for them—it helped me in my grieving process as well to recollect the beauty she brought to our lives.”

How to Begin an Annual Tradition Just Like Tracy

If you're inspired by Tracy’s 15-year journey but aren’t sure where to begin, here are a few easy ways to start your own annual year-in-review tradition:

1. Pick a consistent timeframe - Tracy creates her books at the end of each year. Whether you time yours around birthdays, holidays, or school milestones, consistency is what turns a project into a tradition.
2. Start with the highlights - You don’t need to include everything. Focus on vacations, holidays, sibling moments, and a few everyday memories that reflect the personality of the year.
3. Reuse your own recurring themes - Borrow Tracy’s idea of signature pages like “Sibling Mania,” or create your own—like “Best Quotes of the Year” or “Things You Couldn’t Stop Doing.”
4. Upload photos from the apps you already use - Mixbook lets you pull images directly from Google Photos, which makes selecting and sorting much easier—especially when you’re juggling multiple books at once.
5. Make it a one-on-one moment - The finished book isn’t just a keepsake—it’s a connection point. Take time to sit with your child and go through their year together. It’s a gift they’ll remember far beyond the photos.

Looking to start your own tradition? Mixbook makes it easy to create photo books that grow with your kids—and capture the moments that shape your family, one year at a time."

Great themes to start an annual tradition