I spent most of the last few weeks poring through my favorite photos of the year as the Kane County Chronicle wrapped up end-of-year special editions featuring our stories, photos and sports moments of 2012.

I love looking through my work from the past year, remembering the people I've been fortunate to meet and the families that have let me into their homes to tell their stories.

One family I am grateful for is the Vest family. Delani, a star pitcher for Kaneland, her son, Braden, and her parents were so welcoming and trusting in our sports editor, Jay Schwab, and me. Thank you.