Vacations Are Good.
I spent the last week on the Oregon coast with my family. We (my Mom and I and my Dad and Chris) took over a thousand photos.
One of my favorite memories is eating dinner with the whole family at a pizza place and looking over my parents and stopping time for an instant. In that moment I thought about being a kid and dreaming forward to a time when each of us kids would have our own families. I caught my breath as I thought about how fast time really flies and how thankful I am for times like this when we all get the chance to be together.
Here are some of my favorite shots:
Cousin Henry (and my cousin Rob's son Aidan) hitting golf balls.
My brother getting down low to capture the action.
We spent one whole afternoon out on the north spit eating freshly cooked crab that my Dad caught in this boat. He ferried all of us out there in batches in his driftboat and pulled up crab pots in between. This is something we used to do when we were kids - so fun to bring this tradition to our own children.
There is really nothing quite like eating Dungeness crab fresh from the ocean cooked in a pot right on the beach.
And there's nothing quite like getting to play chase with your cousins on the beach.
Hello sand.
These three baby girls were all born within less than a year of each other.
Another day was spent with a picnic on a golf course. These four LOVE golf.
Cousin Lucy is so close to walking on her own consistently.
My kids.
Me, Anna, and Lily.
Us.
The girls - walking the trails at Shore Acres.
Henry & Simon.
There are so many more. I can't wait to take some of these and pair them with photos from when I was a kid in these very same locations.
Right now it's back to the business of cleaning up the house, making lists of things that need to be taken care of in the next couple of days, and getting back to our "normal" routine. Coming home from vacation is always a bit of a shock to the system.
And, oh yea, doing a bit of celebrating: Chris was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Oregon State Senate yesterday. He will move from the Oregon House of Representatives to the Oregon Senate once he has been sworn in - sometime in the next 30 days or so. I am very, very proud of him.
Beautiful photos! So glad you all had such a great time. We go away to the seaside on Monday for our first family holiday in 3 years - can't wait!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
This one is screaming to be put in a layout. So cute. It's always nice to have that time spent with the people you love, especially considering how busy we all are.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I looooove the look on Anna's face on the picture "Me, Anna and Lily". Looks like she's having a good time!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Photos are great. It's awesome to go back and do things you did as kids. Congrats on Chris's appointment!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Photos of how we all really spend our days say so much more than holidy or celebration photos. When I can catch my family in a photo just having a conversation with each other, now that is a perfect day. The expressions and the eye contact and the love that is captured in a moment on "film" bring tears to my eyes as I think about those times with my parents and grandparents that I wish I had photos of. Precious photos and precious times they all are (streaming Yoda). May your day be great!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
those are fantastic Ali!!! and congrats to chris!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
CONGRATULATIONS TO CHRIS!!! I saw your tweet about this yesterday but did not know how to reply or comment - this is such wonderful news! WOO HOO for the Edwards Family!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Congrats to Chris....
i love your family photo's...even the ones that are lined up or 'posed' look natural and that is what i like to capture...
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I love your pictures! So adorable! And a huge congrats to Chris :)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
You have a beautiful family. I just love your pictures.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
So fun to see these, Ali. : )
Sign in or sign up to comment.
LOve the photos Ali! So happy you had a great vacation... sounds like an amazing time. Congrats to Chris.. so great.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Looks like a fun, memory-making vacation.
Congratulations to Chris, too.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
what a wonderful vacation! i'm hoping you'll share some of those layouts using both pictures from your childhood and present-day shots with us!
also, be sure to tell Chris congrats from my family!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
what a beautiful family vacation! How great to have several camera point of views. I need more adults in my photos :)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Congrats to Chris! What an awesome opportunity.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful vacation photos with us. Quite an inspiration. And congratulations to Chris! What a year you've had. :)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali, such good news about Chris! Congratulations to him. And congratulations to you on such lovely pictures. You have a beautiful family.
Melissa
Sign in or sign up to comment.
great photos....family time always rocks. congrats to chris (and to your family) on his new appointment. so exciting!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
How did Anna like the sand? The first time we took my sun to the beach he wouldn't leave the towel, to the point he shuffled it along with him as he crawled!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
LOVE your photos Ali! so fun and my how everyone has grown. The photo of you, Anna and Lily is precious - she seems like a very happy baby : )
Congrats Chris! what a huge accomplishment! woot woot
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Your family has grown so much in the last few years. It is so amazing that Chris started out door-to-door, made changes in the government and is now a Senator. During this time, the family has grown, your business has grown and yet you are still together, growing together. That is wonderful.
Congrats on the wonderful family time. That is great that you can be so close and enjoy each other. It is awesome to have that in your life.
Way to go.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Wow. Phenomenal. The world has changed so much in 35 years, but for your family things seem to remain much the same. How great for you and your family.
Our family was on vacation the previous week. Returning home can be so much work. I applaud your tenacity. And Chris's tenacity. Just great. Thank you for sharing your life with me/us. :)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Such gorgeous photos and faces - so glad you had a great time. And congratulations to Chris! That's so exciting!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Congratulations Ali & Chris. Your vacation looks like it was wonderful. I love the photo of us!
Sign in or sign up to comment.