Family Time

Last night Patrick and I got home from the beach. Going to the beach each summer has been a tradition in my family for 25 years. Each year we rent a house, put up a tent in the sand and spend hours and hours talking, laughing, singing, drinking, eating. It's been an incredible tradition because it has forced everyone to connect each year and to keep up with each other as we've all gotten older. There are 18 of us and each year it seems we get bigger and more diverse. We are so blessed to have each other and to get to go through life together.

Here are some highlights from past trips and family gatherings. I didn't take one picture from this trip so none of these are super current. But they still exemplify who we are in some way!

A group of cousins and Annie (on the far right) in the ocean.

Annie is the woman that makes it all happen. She turns the big 8-5 this year!

A pool-side shot, minus Libby Gray, Jill, Joe, and Walter.

In our family there is freedom to wear whatever you want...

to give age appropriate gifts for all birthdays (tattoo sleeves and drinking games for my dad)...

to write raps and make up songs for each other...

to singe your hair while trying to light your cigar in a fire pit....

to have potato guns and potatoes at a wedding shower just because you're in Idaho...

to eat LOTS of fresh foods and to try new recipes....

and to teach your grandmother (who is 84) how to play pool.

Here's a great tent shot.

And an old fave of Annie, my dad, Walter, Maggie and Sloan.

One picture that I wish I had was one from the year that we built a lady in a coffin out of sand.

I hope everyone gets to experience the same unconditional love, generosity, respect, culturing, artsy-ness, drinking habits, and fun that my family exhibits. I wouldn't know how to do life without these wonderful friends.