The "Long" Weekend Lens

This looks like loads of fun! Glad Katie and Peter and Paolo got to join in!

Anna is SO adorable!

Love your patents Ali! Always great to see you together.

Ilove sweet sweet dear memories like this! You cant get memories like this on a game!

Such great pics! Anna looks just like your mom and your sister too!

gorgeous photos! so glad you enjoyed your long weekend...really makes me want to visit the Oregon coast:) Family and friends are the truest treasures, so glad you are blessed with both!

What a blessing to have other picture takers around you. This past weekend I spent the day painting faces at my daughters school funfair while my husband took them around to all the rides/games/etc.

It was a great day. But guess what? Not a single picture. I could have taken a camera for my husband to use but I still would likely only have gotten a handful of pics. He isn't one to get right in there and start shooting.

2 things I know

1. Grandparents are the best friends your children will ever have. I lost both of mine to cancer. But I am so glad that we lived in the same town as my parents, because my children spent countless hours with their grandparents. I was reminded of this when my daughter graduated from high school last Friday. She gave me two roses in the rose ceremony. One for me, and one in memory of my mom.

2. Labradors never lose their puppiness gene. Our Molly turned 10 on September 11, 2011. She still likes to run and play with the younger dogs. Molly is the other best friend to our kids - even though they are 23 and 18.

You are so fortunate to have grandparents to be friends to your children. Cherish them.

A few things:
1. That swing is absolutely awesome. I want one!
2. The Harry Potter photo of Simon is even more awesome.
3. I think you've captured the spirit of the Pacific Northwest beautifully with your photos. I'm from Washington (I went to Bellarmine too!), but haven't been home in awhile. Your photos made me miss it! I think I'll love the PNW till the end of my days!

We would like to travel to oregan's coast. What is the laceration of your shots? Do you have any recommendations?

The photos are amazing Ali! What a beautiful spot your parents live in!I'd be visiting as often as possible. :)
Just a quick question, I notice that you often stamp straight onto photos. What ink do you use when you do this? Everthing I have tried seems to smudge! :(

It looks like a magically relaxing time was had by all!

Best three words ever: BLIZZARD TASTE TEST!!!
I'm puttin' that on my summer manifesto right now.

What absolute beauty. What a treasure you have in your family and friends. The rock/land formations at the beach are breath taking. If your favorite is banana split, try it next time with m&m's. Mmmmm!!!! My absolute favorite.

I didn't realize their house is right on the water. How do you ever leave?! Tell Simon he looks like a pirate in that striped bandana.

Thanks for sharing your joyful weekend. The photos were fab. These candid shots inspired me to document our lives, not just vacations.

I love to see the West Coast from your perspective. I grew up there, but now live on the East Coast. Thank you for sharing your life with us here in the East!

Thanks for sharing. Great photos! I hope your children get to spend lots of time with their grandparents. Those will be some of their greatest memories. I would love to ge where you were at it looks so beautiful.

Love the photos and the area in which they have been taken...magnificent...can see where your good looks come from, great swing by the way.

Beautiful photos and a beautiful visit. Waves, family & good weather-what more you ask?