The Weekend Lens

AE_BeachWalk1

This weekend the Oregon coast was calling us as it often does.

AE_StairsDown

My Dad just finished building a set of stairs that go straight down to the beach from their house. This guy totally makes things happen.

My Mom sent this shot a few weeks ago when the whole project was in progress:

AE_DadBuild

And then she sent this one last week when the stairs were complete:

AE_BeachStairsDad

Super inspiring.

Previously we'd walk down the road a few houses to access other stairs. This makes it so much more convenient to get down to the beach. And going up and down those stairs is awesome exercise.

It's also a whole lot easier to get back to the house when the kids get cold, tired, hungry, etc.

On Saturday we were greeted with sunshine.

AE_AnnaBeach

AE_AnnaBeach2

Later that afternoon we drove down to Bandon Dunes to meet up with my Dad, my brother John and my cousin Rob who were in town for the weekend playing golf.

AE_BandonDunes

AE_BandonDunes2

Simon got to putt a few on the last hole and he was pretty darn happy about that.

AE_Simon

Might be time to sign him up for some lessons.

AE_BandonDunes3

AE_BandonDunesFamily

That's my brother John standing next to me in the back and my cousin Rob sitting next to Simon on the bench. It was great to get to connect with them and share dinner at Bandon Dunes.

AE_AnnaDad1

Sunday ended up being an overcast day which was still perfectly wonderful.

AE_SimonJump

AE_Green

AE_SimonRocks

AE_Hands

AE_AnnaBeach4

AE_Kids

AE_AnnaSmile

AE_KidsGrandpa

Special times that we never take for granted.

AE_Bubbles

All shots this weekend taken with my Canon 5DMKII.

Related Posts

Sign in or sign up to comment.

88 thoughts

  1. Jane says…
    02/24/2014

    Amazing! Really enjoyed reading and looking, thanks for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. iHanna says…
    02/24/2014

    Beautiful photos, especially love the hand-holding photo with Anna, what a cool photo angle!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Chrisy@GoodNorthCoastLife says…
    02/24/2014

    It's posts like these that made me such a great fan of yours Ali. The photography is super inspiring, but so are the words of gratitude. Cherish these days Ali. Having three generations spend time together is one of life's greatests pleasures. AND how awesome is your Dad?

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      02/24/2014

      His is awesome. Seriously handy.

  4. Michelle t. says…
    02/24/2014

    Lovely family photos. Enjoyed them. That is awesome your dad building the steps. Beautiful views. Michelle t

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. RitaQ says…
    02/24/2014

    Have been fortunate enough to play Bandon a few times. Love the Oregon coast. Fab photos Ali.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Brooke says…
    02/24/2014

    Oh wow, those stairs are amazing! Go your Dad!

    Each time I write about my kids I keep coming back to "Brian is totally Brian and Simon is totally Simon". I've never met Anna but I've been reading long enough to see those photos are totally Anna. So awesome to see.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Linda Fisher says…
    02/24/2014

    The shots are beautiful. I totally see a nice big canvas print of the picture with Simon and Anna. So, so cool.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Silvia says…
    02/24/2014

    Seems like you all had so much fun!
    Love the last picture :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. P.J. says…
    02/24/2014

    Wonderful photos. It makes me wish for warmer weather. Simon is getting SO tall. When did that happen? Thank you for sharing..

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Jo-Anne says…
    02/24/2014

    Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos and story!!

    Always such a lovely time for me to read your blog....one of those GOOD things in life:-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Susan lew says…
    02/24/2014

    It is amazing to me that your dad built those stairs! Wow! Your pictures of the beach make me want to visit Oregon. Thanks for sharing

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Linda Markarian says…
    02/24/2014

    Thank you for sharing your weekend with us. Looking at the photographs and reading about your weekend brought back fond memories of spending time with my grandparents. Have a wonderful week.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Michelle says…
    02/24/2014

    Gosh Ali, I feel so emotional reading and looking at these photos, just magical and captured perfectly as you always do. Its awesome to have a soft place to land, for your children to be so loved and embraced, to go home with your heart. Thank you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Megan says…
    02/24/2014

    Looks like you had a wonderful time! Lots of moments of thriving!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Kaysie says…
    02/24/2014

    I live in Wisconsin but spent a week last year with our kids, grandkids, our kids in laws... on the Oregon coast. We rented a house and it was beyond magical and a place that we plan to revisit. Your photos Ali.....really did bring tears to my eyes...to be so fortunate to have the Oregon coast at your fingertips and have family gather....life does not get any better.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Keianna says…
    02/24/2014

    Your dad is pretty awesome. Great photos.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. LIsa W. says…
    02/24/2014

    WOWWWWWWWWWW Ali them stairs are awesome!!!!!!!!!! Isn't it wonderful how your Dad can still do that type of manual labor. Just awesome. Those pictures of your kids are nothing short of PRICELESS! It just looks so beautiful there. Did you grow up at this house? If so that must of been amazing!!! Just beautiful. And your Mom and Dad are so cute, just seem to be beautiful people...lucky girl:) When I see the pictures with your kids and them my heart sings!!! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      02/24/2014

      I didn't grow up in this house (I grew up outside of Seattle). But this house is special because it is right down the street from where my Dad spent a lot of his growing up years (from 12 until his senior year in high school). Definitely a wonderful place for my parents.

  18. Alida says…
    02/24/2014

    Love your seaside visits. (I'm a seaside girl myself now living 8 hrs away from the beach.) Love the mood of the beach captured in your pictures and I'll agree with everyone: Your Dad is so awesome!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. laura g. says…
    02/24/2014

    love these pictures and I love the beach...Oregon beaches are the best! hope to go over at least once this year...

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Doris says…
    02/24/2014

    Arko and I are blown away that he did that. So amazing! He looks great. Say hi to him and Patti for us!
    Xo
    D

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      02/24/2014

      I will! You guys need to come down for a visit - they would love that.

  21. Gina says…
    02/24/2014

    Fantastic.

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Audrey V says…
    02/24/2014

    ahhh, brings back long forgotten memories of how much I love the Oregon coast. You are so lucky to have this place in your life!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. cinback says…
    02/24/2014

    These are amazing photos Ali! And your dad sounds a lot like mine!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Cynthia H says…
    02/24/2014

    awesome photos! I especially like the one of your whole family after golf and Anna holding hands with your Dad.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Stacy says…
    02/24/2014

    Lovely.

    Reply 0 Replies

Sign in or sign up to comment.