Family Pictures

Both of my brothers live in Utah. They married sisters, actually. [Okay, I know that begs for a side note: Growing up, my brothers were not much alike - and apparently neither were these sisters. But we're all older now and do have life in common so it's a fun thing. And, actually, the girls are both incredibly nice and so much fun to hang out with - so they are alike.]

Well, whenever my parents head to Utah, that means my whole family is together - minus me and mine. And I don't think this is a confession of personal issues, but I imagine it as a lot of fun and I wish to be part of the gaggle, as my dad would say. We usually get together every 2 years at Newport Beach. This summer, I was having Beckham the very week we were due for our every-2-year-beach-reunion. So, again - getting us all together was not to be.

BUT! We finally did it.

Believe it or not, the 45 minutes we spent taking pictures was the only time all week when all 17 of us were in the same place. The only time.

We had moments when all the adults were together, or everybody minus one of us, or all the cousins, but there was always somebody missing. Nobody lives right by each other (unlike that lovely time in their lives when the boys and wives lived in the same exact stairwell - well, they didn't live in the stairwell, they lived in an apartment type condo or something and shared a stairwell- but you get my drift). So we also spent a lot of time in the car - 15 hours over those 7 days actually, (not even counting the drive to and from), but it was worth it.
So.
I don't have to pretend anymore about what it's like when the family has gathered in Utah and I'm living my life here. They're busy and having fun. But nobody is sitting around singing kumbayah.
It's a good thing we took a picture.





(This would be a great spot to include said family picture. But, Christmas cards are really just around the corner - so you'll have to wait. Well, that is - if you get Christmas cards from my parents you'll have to wait to see the group shot in your mailbox. If not - wait for me to post the picture later... Patience is a virtue, or so I've been told.)













P.S. These photos where done by Swensen photography, who sold us the rights, so I'm good to post. I finally looked up the name of last year's photographer since a friend asked for a reference, and it's Mark Cafiero. So, for you Denver-ites needing a photo-shoot, there's your recommendation.

P.P.S. After two fall photo-shoots in a row, I am SOOO casting my vote for a spring shoot next ;)