Summer trip to the Pacific Northwest

I had such a fun summer - how can it be over already? We had a couple of great family vacations. Usually I don't haul my "big camera" with me on vacation, but this time since I was also doing wedding photography, I had the pleasure of lugging 20 lbs of camera and lenses around. And since I had it, I also had some fun doing photography projects along the way. Unfortunately I am very inconsistent in my personal photography... there were boys along on our trip, but they hardly showed up in any pictures. :) (They were not very interested and I didn't want to press unwilling models into service!)

We spent a couple of perfect days on Orcas  Island with family. We loved it! We kinda want to move there - they get a lot less rain than the rest of the area. It's not practical though, especially with the whole no job there thing. :) But it was beautiful!

This one is always happy to pose for pictures. Run through the grass? Okay!


It's a small island, but we had no problem finding fresh fish sold out of someone's shed/barn. Some of the cousins were brave enough to try oysters.






Cousins that wish they could spend more time together! I can't believe how big they are getting.


The view from Mount Constitution was INCREDIBLE. It was pretty clear - not quite clear enough to see all the way to Mt. Rainier, but close.


We ran up & down these stairs a lot of times. So cool!


And here's Mount Baker. We used to have a view (of the other side) from our front window growing up.


My in-laws live in sort of paradise (if you are okay without too much sun). They have an amazing yard, lots of room, and my mother in law is such a great gardener. As a photographer I wish I could use their yard every day! So beautiful. The kids loved the grassy hill. :)




What a sunrise! It made an early morning drive a little easier!


Grandma helped the girls dress up and we used a corner of her yard for some pretty pictures.


The girls especially loved Grandma's hats!






She wanted the serious face because it's more old-fashioned that way. I guess she is right, right?






Definitely my most enthusiastic model! She was so happy.




It was also the 4th of July and I really love fireworks pictures! Sparklers were especially fun.


A little Harry Potter action.


Writing her name in sparks. Nice that she is not afraid of them this year!