back to the beach

so, we thought our last trip to the beach was going to be in August, but i had some photo sessions scheduled in Los Angeles, and they coincided with my dad's 60's birthday, so we made a trip out of it.  all of my siblings, came into town.  (except Collier of course) and my parents rented a beach house.  i really wished i wasn't working!  but, we made the most of our time for sure!  the kids got right to work digging, digging, digging in their weekend backyard.  

 while i was at the beach, i definitely snapped some pics of these cuties.  

 i love these shots, my generation of 3 sisters:

 my mom's generation of 3 sisters:

 and the next generation of 3 sisters:

 here's all nine of us!  not a bad looking group!

 we even got to see Sawyer before we left.  

so, i feel like a schmuck, i don't even have a picture with the birthday boy.  but in my defense, he was golfing and hanging with the boys a lot.  but seriously, i need  a picture with my dad, i think the last one i have is from my wedding!  

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!!

camping portraits

so, since my portraits while camping were so successful last year, i planned some this this time also.  Colin has this completely adorable hat he inherited from Sawyer, and a shirt, jeans, a little sweatshirt/coat, it was the perfect ensemble i used to anchor everyone else's outfits.  

Madeline rocked it out in this brown couroroy dress and velvet blazer.  

 Avery was a perfect picture in her khaki dress and gray jacket.  

 striped tights and pink beret.  

 And Anna dressed up her neutrals with a huge flower and spunky boots.  

 i was loving everything about this photo op.  the light was gorgeous, the girls adorable.  

 there was just one problem.  Colin.  the boy who inspired it all,just wasn't having it.  he would absolutely not wear the ever important hat.  he wouldn't sit for a portrait of his own, he wouldn't join in the fun with the girls.  all he would do is sit and cry.  poor baby boy.  this is the only shot of all four kids.  

next time.  

camping, our favorite family activity

so, our favorite camping spot is covered in wild flowers and cows.  now, i've always had a thing for cows, so i always take a million pictures of them hanging around.  who could resist that face?

 the kids are so cute setting up the tent and their beds.  these two little cuddle bugs. 

and look at these  big girls gathering firewood and helping dad get the fire ring all set up.

 Bubba!  he is just too cute for words. 

 the girls brought notebooks, or as Anna called hers a "nacher journal."  they wrote down everything they saw.  Anna (because she is the only one who really has a good handle on writing) broke her notebook down into categories, "land, air, and water."  she wrote down all the animals and foliage she found in those places, with pictures.    

 potato lake is one of the most beautiful places.  of course the first time we were there the water was a lot higher and bluer.  but even since the water turned green and lowered, the little meadow has stayed to intriguing to us.  

 my little sweet maddie wanted a picture with me by the fire.  

 then i snapped one of all my loves!

super dad. 

 we were with our cousins, so we got a shot of our whole family.  

 Anna took here "nacher journal" very seriously.  

 here we are on top of the Mogollon rim.  the views are amazing.  we've considered camping here a few times, but the wind can really pick up, and sleeping in a tent with 4 kids can be hard enough.  

 look at these girls checking out the views.  

 i die, how amazing are these girls.  

 this is one of my favorite places in the world.  i have a fantasy wedding all planned out in this glen.  guests can stay in Strawberry and then take hummers up to the ceremony reception site.  seriously, call me if your interested.  in the meantime, we enjoyed the balance beam act these kids put on.  

 i love the passing of the flower!  so cute.  

 so, i totally brought adorable clothes to make portraits of the kids while we were up here.  that's for another post.  the portraits are so cute, but these snapshots say a thousand words too!

 now can you see why we call this guy Mr. Handsome?

 i think i could stay up here forever, sometimes we joke about living "off the grid".  buying a trailer and living off the land.  obviously, not going to happen, but it's fun to dream.  and speaking of dreams, here's my dreamy two men:

Colin loves his daddy time.  oh and his oreos, see the oreo crumbs on his mouth?  love these lover boys!