Lazy Days & Awkward Family Photos

{Kennedee went down a slide for the first time and obviously hated it}

{George is very skeptical of cameras and thus, me}

{Someone found their tongue}

{and there was zip-lining}

{two decades later, awkward family photos edition 2.0}

{our smiles are much bigger now than when we were little...on an unrelated note: photographers should perhaps consider giving kids alcohol in red solo cups to force cooperation & fake smiles}

{the whole fam damily}

The weekend after The Cape Cod, I headed back to central Illinois for some good old fashion family fun as my Dad's entire family rented houses and cabins on Lake Sara in Effingham, IL. Growing up every summer we took a similar camping trip to Lazy Days campground in Litchfield, IL ("vacation" a mere 5 miles from my hometown) with all my aunts, uncles and cousins (photographed above). As part of these "vacations" my aunt Jodi from California always insisted on a day-long photoshoot for all the cousins because she didn't get to see us very often and it was rare to get everyone together. I know it's hard to remember but before the days of digital cameras and kissy-face iphone selfies (please stop), kids were not that patient posing for photos (why every Olan Mills shoot ever was a complete and utter disaster)...particularly in the dead of summer (never recall one of said photoshoots being below 90,000°) when you're straddling your cousin. Enjoy.

{beached whale at ~1:00 in black umbros / pink = moi}

{my youngest brother Hank, in front, not yet old enough to talk but thinking, "Why?"}

{(third from back) started to lose some of that "baby fat" which was offset by layered tank tops and slicked back scrunchy secured pony tails}

{this is what we call 'straddle your cousin and ride the gas tank'...that beefy leg adorned with what looks to be my Dad's tube-sock & Addidas sambas (sweet) is yours truly. I'm pretty sure I was covering my face thinking, "God, I'm chubby." Also, the two on the far right are not boys but my cousin Kari and sister Aimee. It didn't take me long to run out and get the same haircut after seeing how good they looked...}

{Jesus.}

{you're welcome.}

Weekend Update - 7/1/2013 & 7/8/2013

{the cutest little neon Zara sandals I picked up for my niece for her 1st Birthday}

{my brother Hank just before winning the county fair truck pulls}

{two of my favorite people on earth who so happen to be the best of buds}

{an early birthday celebration for little Miss Kennedee}

{my friends Jacob & Amanda's darling little newborn girl, Charlee}

{a little kite flyin' on the Fourth at the beach in the Hamptons}

{a cutie in a hot pink tutu at Sunset Saturday (live music) at Wolffer Vineyard, which I highly recommend}

{a few of my findings while on a Sunday morning "run" that are now in my apartment in the city}

{closing out the last of the birthday celebrations with my all-time favorite: ice cream cake}

Split the holiday week last week at home in Illinois for the county fair (soft, redneck spot in my heart for these), a birthday celebration for my brother & niece before heading back to New York and ultimately the Hamptons for the Fourth of July. All in all: great week with lots of time in the sun & sand with great food, family and friends.

Kennedee 10.5 Months

Spent a couple days earlier this week visiting my sister, her husband and my favorite person on earth who just so happens to be my niece, Kennedee. Almost walking, desperately trying to start talking and getting into everything...she's growing much to fast for my liking. With that, I'm off to start looking for flights to go home and visit her again. Happy Friday to all!

Holiday Update - 12/31/2012

{Greenwalt Christmas at my Aunt Jana's}

A great holiday week last week full of family gatherings and time spent with friends...really no better way to end the year. Here's a round-up of some of the weeks' events to compliment this post from last night. And now we're off to Chicago to ring in 2013 and then back to reality in New York on Wednesday. Wishing you all a fun and (most importantly) safe New Year's Eve!

{Theta Christmas at Miss Audrey's}

{my Mom's eggnog cake}

{Christmas Eve quail hunt}

{Dad, Sister, Sky & Tipper}

{bright eyed on Christmas morning}

{a Christmas campfire as the beagles ran rabbits}

{and then over to my sisters house to see this little one (entire post on her here)}

{the last wedding of the year in St. Louis}

Christmas with Kennedee

Because I'm obsessed with her (understatement), have way too many photos to fit in tomorrow's 'Weekend Update' post and who doesn't like looking at a cute baby, here is a sampling of my Kennedee photos documenting her first Christmas. Christmas is great in and of itself but having a little one around made things SO much more fun this year. Can't wait for the years to come. Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

{cute family}

{in her new Restoration Hardware Baby hat, blanket & lamb}

{little drool never hurt nobody}

{her mini track suit} 

{the solid food introduction to her diet is going along swimmingly}

{wearing one of the many outfits I gave her for Christmas}

{her first fur coat compliments of yours truly}

{sweet}

{eating the toy Aunt Megan got her}

{showing off her new gold tutu}

{one last good one...}

{...now get that god forsaken camera out of my face}