Oregon Coast vacation: the people

Our family had a wonderful week in the Central Oregon Coast. It was gorgeous! Prior to this, our farthest vacation destination has been about five hours away, and even then just for an enjoyable weekend or so. We've never been able to devote so much time to a trip. We needed this.

What made the trip especially fun is that ALL of Jeff's family were there: his parents, seven siblings and their families. In all, 15 adults and 19 grandchildren, ages 1 to 16. We stayed in the same house and took turns with dinners. I could say I am amazed at how well everyone got along, but then really, I shouldn't be amazed. It's a great group with lots of love.

This spur-of-the-moment shot of 29 of us was taken Friday evening, the night before our own family and another had to leave. I feel really bad that we didn't get a shot of all 34 of us. One family was touring the Tillamook cheese and ice cream factory farther up the coast at the time of this photo (yum!). Here they are from another outing.

The beach was chilly, often foggy or windy, but so much fun. We could walk there from the rental house.

12 of the cousins, oldest to youngest. (Taken Tuesday)

This was taken Friday and shows 15 of the cousins, more or less youngest to oldest (switch the second and third girls from left). Missing are cranky Samuel and the three lucky cheese samplers.

 Elise nearly touches a jellyfish. 

 James was the only one of us brave enough to get so deep in the cold water.

You know those videos at wedding receptions that feature photos of the couples? Nineteen years later Jeff and I still wouldn't have enough shots.

 I wrote Samuel's name in the sand like I had done with James'. He loudly stomped his disapproval.

My only disappointment about the trip is not getting a nice family shot. It wasn't for lack of trying. With so many fun activities going on, and so many different combinations of families doing the outings, it was hard to have all of us together at once.

Here, at the Portland Temple, we didn't have Elise with us because she was coming from Seattle after her trip with Grandma and Grandpa.

Here, at the tide pools, we lack Samuel because we opted to not pry him out of bed and instead left him at the house with gracious Grandma.

On the eve of our departure, when I realized we didn't have a SINGLE SHOT of all seven of us together, I pleaded with Jeff to help make it happen. The light was fading fast. We walked to the beach with the tripod. Only three shots into it, Jeff's brother arrived to tell us that everyone had decided to do a group shot, only they chose to do it at a beach with better car access. They needed us right now. By then the light was too far gone to re-attempt our family portrait. Oh, well. Want to see the BEST two?

Hee hee. Yep, that about sums it up.

Light sticks. Camera. Action!

A little abstract art from our visit to the park with family July 24 to watch fireworks:

Look closely above the yellow circle in this next picture. Do you see a face?

It's James!

While his performance art was definitely cool to watch, these big guns stole the show:

What's that below the fireworks? Oh, here we go ...

Certain explosions seemed bright as day, if only for an instant. 

My dream shot is to capture the image of fireworks reflected in a child's eye. Maybe next year! 

Step in Time

My mom attended my girls' ballet recital with me on Saturday. She marveled at how wonderful dance has been for them, how graceful Emma and Elise are becoming -- especially remarkable since they are, after all, my daughters. Me of awkward elbows and shoulders and funny stances.

"How long did you do dance?" my mom asked before loading into her car. "Because I was trying to remember if it was long enough ... "

"Why?" I stepped in. "Because it didn't stick?"

We laughed, that easy two-step exchange between people who love and know each other well.

Hard to believe, but I did take dance lessons way back in 2nd and 3rd grades. See, here's the proof:

Photo 1: Jenni at age 8 (or so).

I may not have developed lasting poise, but I do remember my teacher drilling the importance of smiling. I also recall her telling us that when we became grown-ups we'd LOVE naps. Oh, how we doubted her then. She was right! 

It will be fun, years from now, to see what sticks most with Emma and Elise about their dance experiences. Hopefully something a little more profound.

Here's a look at their recital. (All pictures were taken at their staging rehearsals. No flash was allowed, and I had to have a really slow shutter speed to work with the low light. It was a fun challenge.)

Emma's dance, Aries:

Photo 2: Emma is part of the right trio, in the back.

 Photo 3: Even though this is a back view, I absolutely love this shot! 

 Photo 4: Look at those well-worn shoes.

Photo 6: Emma's teacher is silhouetted against the dancers as she demonstrates a move. Emma adored her.

Elise's dance, Alouette:

Photo 12: Elise is waving her scarf.

 Photo 13: Elise's teacher. Elise is second from left. 

Photo 19: Samuel outside the theatre. I'm hopeful that he adopted this eye-block ONLY outside in the brilliant sunshine, not during the performance. Pretty sure.  He really did well, even though his attendance was a last-minute decision prompted by his tearful refusal to stay with the babysitter I'd arranged two weeks ago. (Jeff, Kyle and James were out of town.)

Photo 20: Our wonderful support: My mom drove from Midway, and Jeff's mom and sister Katie came from Logan. Thank you, thank you! 

Photos 21 and 22: Elise does some flip-flop jumps on the patio between matinee and evening performances.