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.}

The Cape Cod

{Courtney soaking up some sun}

{lots of front porch sitting, one of my favorite past times}

{it was very hard to leave this house...and its multiple wings, living rooms (4 to be exact) and fire places in each}

{I want this wreath}

{fancy cocktail concocting including aged tequila & different smoky bitters as well as the local favorite, dark & stormys}

{the most amazing cinnamon roll I've ever laid eyes (and lips) on}

{New England, you sure are a beaut}

{late afternoon cool down at Chatham Bars Inn...}

{...whilst watching a wedding going on down below}

{I really liked Chatham Bars Inn}

{these white hydrangeas were everywhere...and I dig them}

{a Sunday morning canoe sesh}

{watching the sun rise with a cup of coffee and this view also did not suck}

{rounded out the weekend with a quick trip to Provincetown before grabbing some lobster tacos and catching the ferry back to Bahston}

Well I guess it's about time I start catching up on the last two months I went dark on ya. Sorry about that, folks. Busy summer, too hot to carry a big camera, and other excuses for pure laziness. Let's kick things off with an awesome trip to Chatham, Cape Cod in mid-August. Man, did I love this place. All the beauty and northeastern charm as the Hamptons yet a fraction of the (ostentatious) people, traffic and cost. Sign me up. The photos above do a pretty thorough job of summing it up but other highlights / musts include: fudge from Candy Manor, oysters & steamers at Chatham Squire and last but not least, Provincetown if time allows. I need to go back. And am thinking about it for the Cranberry Harvest Celebration October 12-13th or the Wellfleet Oyster Fest October 19-20th.

Note: After being laughed at a restaurant, I learned that no one calls it "Cape Cod" but "The Cape"...therefore I made sure to call it "THE Cape Cod" from that point forward and continued to feign ignorance because that's just my stupid sense of humor. 

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}