Here we are—another lap around the sun, another chance to pause, look back, and ask: What happened? Where did we go? What did we accomplish? Reflection has become a bit of a tradition for us in recent years—maybe it’s just life moving along or the subtle signals that we’re inching further from our youth (head, shoulder, knees and toes… pain). Or perhaps it’s the influence of friends and family churning out polished holiday letters, reminding us that we’ve yet to write one ourselves. Whatever the reason, here’s our contribution to the genre: the McHugh-Klinestiver 2024 Year in Review (not to be confused with the Britannica 2024 Year in Review).
Winter in 2024 started with a familiar feeling: What even happens in January? If we’re honest, we don’t really know—but that’s kind of the charm. Winter has always been an easy target for grumbling (dry noses, icy dog paws, sunsets before dinner), but we’ve been trying to reframe how we think about it. Kath found inspiration in this LifeKit episode. And honestly? We’ve discovered some winter habits we actually love: cozying up with TV, plotting vacation itineraries, breaking out puzzles and board games, and, in Alex’s case, keeping the lights on and heated blankets on like a cozy pro.
But winter survival isn’t just about hibernating—it’s about knowing when to leave. In February, we made our seasonal escape to Lisbon, Portugal, to visit Kath’s sister, Megan, and her husband, Kersey. One of the highlights was a guided photo tour with @PhotoWalkLisboa, where we wandered Lisbon’s winding streets and explored its layered history. The adventure didn’t stop there: we hopped a train to Porto and Braga, soaking up the warmth of Portugal’s culture and its more forgiving February climate.
After our winter travels and some much-needed time to reset, we dove headfirst into an exciting new chapter: launching our side business, Hue and Cline Photography! It’s been an incredible way to channel our creativity, meet new people, and explore Pittsburgh—plus, it’s nice to make a little extra scratch on the side. If you haven't already, follow us on social media (Facebook)(Instagram) to see some of what we've been up to. You can also go browse around on our website considering you’re already here!
March also brought visits from friends and a few fun outings around town. Drew, Alex’s best friend, visited Pittsburgh to race go-karts and celebrate Alex’s birthday. We had an amazing dinner out at Fig & Ash on the Northside of Pittsburgh. We also checked out the “A Woman’s Place: How Women Shaped Pittsburgh” at the Heinz History Center—which provided rich context to the community we live in.
We kept traditions alive with our annual pilgrimage to Myrtle Beach in April. The road trip was the perfect excuse to soak up some sun, spend quality time with Kath’s parents, and (of course) hit the outlets for a little retail therapy.
Kath also managed to squeeze in a trip to Connecticut to visit Allison and Shawn for Allison's birthday.
May was all about trying new things and making connections. Kath joined the Three Rivers Inline Club, spending the rest of the spring and summer skating the streets of Pittsburgh with new friends. Alex picked up a new pastime and a great way to spend time with his dad: golf.
We also had the opportunity to volunteer with the Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh to photograph their annual calendar. We are excited for more opportunities like this to volunteer and be of service to others.
June kicked off with a deep dive into Pittsburgh’s history. We joined a photographers’ tour of the Carrie Blast Furnaces, getting up-close and personal with the industrial relics of Pittsburgh.
Later in June, we made an excursion to Bozeman, Montana, where we visited our friends Thad and Dena (and their sweet pups, Opie and Landon). The highlight of the trip was exploring Yellowstone National Park, which left us awed and inspired to plan more domestic travel in the years ahead.
We also spent time downtown in June for the Doors Open Pittsburgh event, exploring the architecture and hidden gems of the city’s Cultural District.
In July, we celebrated Kath’s birthday with a mix of adventure and nostalgia. The adventure? Tackling the LeHigh Gorge Bike Train in Jim Thorpe, PA, where we biked through breathtaking scenery. The nostalgia? A visit to Knoebels, a family-owned, free-to-enter, charming amusement park in Eastern Pennsylvania, and also where Kath’s family has visited for generations.
In August, Kath traveled to Newport, Rhode Island, to capture a retirement party on behalf of the business.
Closer to home, we visited Maureen, Ted, Atticus, and Quinn in Cleveland to witness a regional baseball showdown between the Guardians and the Pirates. The Pirates won and a grand time was had by all.
In September, after over five years together, we officially tied the knot! We exchanged vows in a private morning ceremony at the picturesque Mellon Park Walled Garden. Afterward, we indulged in a luxurious high tea at the Negley Inn.
That evening, our local friends and family joined us for a cookie table party—a Pittsburgh tradition—on Mount Washington. A big shout out to our friends Courtney and Ian for their exquisite organization of this event. To cap off the day, we enjoyed an incredible dinner and breathtaking views at Altius, reflecting on the amazing support from our community as we began this new chapter.
The week after we got married, we took a jaunt to San Francisco. We got to see some historic neighborhoods throughout SF, visit Alcatraz, and saw the Blue Angels flying through the Golden Gate Bridge during Fleet Week festivities. We also were able to go see the redwood trees in John Muir Forest. The Cali trip was a combination of work and leisure, and Alex attended a cool conference he’d recommend for website developers or marketers, Webflow Conf 2024.
We weren’t quite ready to end our “just married” era in September, so in November we hosted both of our families for a dinner party in Pittsburgh. It was a unique opportunity to get everyone under one roof and enjoy some good, old fashioned quality time together. While untraditional, our wedding festivities were more than we could have hoped for.
Looking Ahead to 2025
With 2024 behind us, we are excited to take on 2025, building off the themes of travel, photography, friends, and family.
