Break out the popcorn.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at 08:06PM Because I'm sure you've been on the edge of your seat waiting for way too many photos of our family vacation. Remember that time when we were at the bottom of the grand canyon? Whhoo, my dogs were barkin'. Remember that? And what about that time we went camping and we thought we heard a bear, but it was really just my stomach? Oh man, that was scary right? Remember that?
And then there was that time we went to Grass Valley to stay with my sister in her might as well be a resort tree-house perched next to a river that sounds like the ocean at night. Remember I was so amazed the first day I couldn't stop saying, "Shut up kelly, are you serious this is really your house do you know how lucky you are? Because is that a river? Did you know that Jason listens to a thunder app on his iPhone at night to fall asleep? If you don't know how lucky you are I might punch you hard."
And then, to continue the obnoxious happiness, we sang songs. For real, like the Partridges. Only it wasn't 100% cheesy because my niece is stunningly talented. She plays guitar, writes her own music, and has one of the most captivating voices I've ever heard. Want to hear?
Oh wait. I don't know where the video is (thank you mac, I still hate you). But I did manage to find these photos (thank you mac, but I can still hear you laughing).
Haley (15) and Sari (13)
We went to Nevada City for a little shoot, and that was the day I realized I'm officially old. I've been shooting senior portraits since I was a senior. And that's not an exaggeration. I literally worked in a glamour studio, wrapping girls my own age in fluorescent turkey feathers, telling them exactly where to gaze into the "looking glass" mirror to achieve maximum forlorn effect. A little more shoulder. A little more hair light. A little more everything.
Since then, I think I've always (kind of) seen through the same (senior in high school girl's) eyes. You want to wear the cut off shorts that your mom thinks are too short? Bring them on. You like fuschia lipstick outlined with black? Way to express yourself, girl.
Until I just photographed my nieces who might as well be my daughters and I had to resist a million urges to wrap them up in a Snuggie. Do they make Snuggies with turtlenecks? Hoods? Jean dress anyone? Who says the Duggars aren't hot?!
Annnnd... Lord help my sister and brother in law.
It had been 2 years since our kids all got to play together, so I was a little worried that it wouldn't be the same. You know, like maybe they'd outgrown Strawberry Shortcake, or hide and seek, and my littler ones would be relegated to eavesdropping on their older cousins text conversations through a glass pressed to their no-one-allowed bedroom door.
Nope. They played endlessly together, which only made my heart melt even more for how great of a job my sister has done with her girls.
... And yes. *In case you were wondering* Moms get full credit for everything their kids do until about age 28... maybe even 30. Unless of course it's negative behavior, in which case moms get about 10% blame, because don't you know kids make their own decisions man. They're born that way.
Yep, thinking in mom-dialogue. Another sign that I'm truly, no turning back, OLD.
We ate.
We (okay Jason) infused vodka with peaches.
We laughed.
And just generally enjoyed being together.
We also let children play with fire. 
We found ugly dogs to be charming. 
And we laughed hysterically (and repeatedly) about the double complete rainbow. What does it meeeeeaan???? Oh my god, if only life could always be packed with that much insanely happy intensity (sans quaaludes).
Overall, I tried not to focus on the fact that we live so far away, but more on the reality that we will always be able to pick up where we left off. No matter what. Love them all so dearly.
Tomorrow: I'm off to Austin to hang out with some amazing photographers, plus hilarious & talented bloggers for the weekend. So fun. I'm not sure how great I'll be about blogging. But I will post daily snips here if you want to check in.
Until next time internet. xo
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