So, my dad flew in for a quick trip that included trips to the park, a zoo excursion, and a much needed visit to Fenton's Creamery.
First stop: The zoo.
Sorry, I have taken so many pictures at this zoo, it is hard for me to pull out my camera here. I took a few at least.
The most important thing we did came after the zoo: Fenton's Creamery. It is something that everyone should experience at least once before they die. Yes, it is just that good.
Jake and I shared that lovely sundae. It was magical. It was worth all of the havoc it may have wreaked on my cholesterol levels. I have lived here in the Bay Area for three years and I have only been to this place four times during that vast period of time. I think I am pacing myself rather conservatively. In fact, I think I am under the local quota.....I may need to do something about that. ;)
The following day we left for Oregon. Jake had to travel to exotic Butte, Montana on business and so would meet up with us in Portland later on in the week. The drive was surprisingly uneventful. It started out a little rough with me instructing Livy how to tactfully go to the bathroom on the side of the freeway and Oscar asking the "are we there yet," question about 100 times in the first hour, but then it ceased, thankfully.
I do not have the stamina nor the desire to rehash the whole trip in fine detail. I did however take HUNDREDS and hundreds of pictures. I have picked out the ones I like best and have collaged them together to spare you the arduous task of looking at them one at time.......I am only thinking of you, dear blog stalkers. ;)
My beautiful sister, Kendra. I took so many shots of her and her cute pregnant belly, but honestly I am an awful maternity photographer. Here are the two shots that I am not totally embarrassed to show---not because my sister is a horrible model, but because I am an awkward photographer. :)
After I checked the photo session with Kendra off of my list we moved on to the next item on the list: a visit to Washington Park up next to the Rose Gardens in Portland. I absolutely love this park. It is huge and views of the city are just around the corner, as well as rows upon rows of roses. We skipped over the roses this year and settled for a picnic at the park.
We also took the kids on a walk along Fanno Creek that is just down the street from my parent's house. Kendra and I used to take Seth on walks along here, and we also used to explore the path along the creek just the two of us on countless Summer days. The kids really had a good time.
I love having new opportunities and settings to photograph people. This was really a photo-vacation for me. One thing that I have confirmed after this trip is that I am going to be a SOOC shooter--this means all of the pictures that you see come straight out of camera without any editing. I am finding that I am a little bit of a purist and prefer an untouched photo. Moving on....
When the boys, Kendra's husband Jason, and Jake arrived in town we headed off to Rockaway Beach. I absolutely love this beach! As tradition holds we had to stop at the Tillamook Cheese Factory for lunch and some A-mazing ice cream. Yes you got one normal picture of me up above at Fenton's and the one below of me doing what I do best, eating--with no reservation.
Here is Liv posing out front of the Cheese Factory. And in true Livy fashion I receive one normal picture and one googly-eye picture within the same breath.
The weather was absolutely perfect at the beach, which is a miracle because we are talking about the Oregon Coast here. I haven't seen a day this nice at Rockaway in over a decade. It was seriously an ideal day at the beach. The kids had a blast. We enjoyed ourselves watching the kids enjoy themselves. It was wonderful.
I had so much fun being back home with my parents and Sister. Seeing Tori and Liv together reminded me so much of Kendra and myself when we were little. They were little pals running off everywhere together; giggling one minute, fighting the next, and then playing together again. The kids pretty much watched themselves. Ken, I. LOVE. YOUR. KIDS. I miss them already. Tori is as sweet as can be and Brookie, well, Brookie was the life of the party.I will miss her "Elda Eye" and her growls. Just so everyone can experience it, I will leave you with my future ringtone.
*Note to viewer: This was shot at night, in the dark, on my iphone with children crawling on me. It is not high quality but gets the job done.*
Seriously could listen to this all day.
1 comments:
I came from Kendra's blog! Darling pictures of your family and Kendra's! You are a wonderful sister!
Post a Comment