Summer always passes quickly. Maybe because we feel like it should be a lifetime long? It's three months, just like the other seasons, but the three months of winter always feel like forever.
We've been enjoying summer, and we're off to enjoy it more this upcoming week, since we leave tomorrow for a week at a house in northern Michigan that Bryan's parents have rented. It's on a little lake. (Most people would just call it "a lake" but remember I've grown up in Michigan; a real lake to us is pretty much indistinguishable from the ocean when you're standing onshore.) Bryan's parents will have their motorboat up there, and the kids can play in the water and the adults can relax and it should be a lot of fun.
Bryan's parents love my sister and her family, so they invited them to come on the vacation too. For Camilla, this is the most exciting part. I think if we said to her, "Camilla, we're going on a trip. There will be no books or toys and no juice, and you'll have to spend the whole time cleaning. But Daniel is coming along with us," she would say, "Okay! Can he ride in our car?" and run to go put her shoes on.
It's easy to forget what a blessing it is to have our families growing up so close together. We're used to it. But it's a big deal, and we are grateful when we remember to be.
I can't wait for a week together, just to sit outside and enjoy watching our kids play in the sand.
I want my kids to remember the summers of their childhoods as fondly as I remember mine.
We'll be back in a week!
Oh, what adorable photos! I'm looking forward to next summer when my kids get to spend time at the cabin with their cousin (technically they felt him/her kick while there this year, but next year the crawling baby should be more interesting).
I am definitely grateful to have our siblings live nearby.
Posted by: Amy F | Saturday, August 01, 2009 at 12:02 AM
Unless your composition technique was a conscious decision (which I highly doubt, seeing as you would have mentioned it to me if you were doing schooling in photography), I'd say that you're a natural photographer. These shots (especially the one of Daniel) display textbook use of the rule of thirds, as well as the use of lines (shadows) to illustrate depth within the frame. Brava!
Posted by: Brandon | Saturday, August 01, 2009 at 12:39 AM
I LOVE these photos, and I'm glad to see the Camilla got some new sunglasses after the old ones broke. She looks so cute, as do Daniel and Matthew. It really is a blessing that they're growing up so close together. I am not close to any of my cousins, which is a shame.
Posted by: Petroni | Saturday, August 01, 2009 at 08:06 AM
You are very blessed! And fortunate to live somewhere where summer is only 3 months. You know the joke about Michigan's seasons?
Q.How many seasons are there in Michigan?
A. 4. Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Road Construction.
Well it's inverted here:
Q. How many seasons are there in South Louisiana?
A. 4. Hurricane, Autumn, Summer, and Hot As Hell.
Posted by: Kate | Saturday, August 01, 2009 at 09:34 AM
I had cousins I remember in a similar way. Summers weren't complete unless we could spend at least a week at each others houses. It was great. I bet it is so wonderful to know your kids have the same opportunity. Enjoy your vacation!
Posted by: Casey | Saturday, August 01, 2009 at 10:28 AM
What cute photos! Your nephew Matthew has gotten so big; not much longer and Blaise will be playing alongside them! Have fun on vacation!
Posted by: Sarah in Ottawa | Saturday, August 01, 2009 at 08:57 PM
They're all so gorgeous - you're so lucky to have your kids' cousins nearby. (I would say that I wish ours could be nearby as well, but then remembered that my kids don't HAVE cousins yet ;)). I loved summer as a child and like it as a mother, but wow, it is EXHAUSTING. Daniel is almost 4 and has to be on the go all the time, and since we don't have a back yard that means lots of expeditions to fountains and pools and movies ... I just hope that among his summer memories is not included the less-than-edifying one of Mama asking if he wants to watch TV so she can sit down in the air conditioning.
Posted by: Sonetka | Saturday, August 01, 2009 at 11:03 PM
They will never forget those childhood summers together, doing lots of nothing with their families. Hope the weather is hot and the water's swimmably cool :D
Posted by: Michele | Thursday, August 06, 2009 at 05:11 PM
Lovely photos... I am excited to give birth for my second child and my son will soon have a sibling to play with...
Posted by: Grace | Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 03:01 AM