started off with a great big sleep in and the boys packing the car to the beach so he wouldnt have to. (but then when we were schizophrenically trying to GET OUT THE OF THE HOUSE ALREADY he ended up helping us out, with only the smallest of grunted complaints). we met up with family at Doheney State Beach for a day of surfing, bbq-ing, and hanging out.we got there just as grandma deb’s amazing bacon cheeseburgers hit the grill. (she mixed cheddar cheese and real bacon into the ground beef before she formed the patties) and settled ourselves and the kids into the shade with everyone else to grub.
jeff’s dad, jamie, in the mushpot
the kids started begging to be taken to the water just as we were ready to get down to the business of being lazy in the shade and enjoying the company and the breeze…
girlie cousins & getting walked to the water by uncle jason
the rest of us got our things together and headed down to the water after them.
jamie surfed a bit while some kids braved the water (that is drew and another cousin waving)
and my niece kailey learned how to boogie board with her daddy…
while my other niece sammie looked absolutely eat-able in her new bathing suit…
and anna ran about finding shells and white rocks for us to take home…
and nathan got really bummed that the water was so cold.
until dad saved the day and took him for a walk to find more crabs. he also got some snuggles from miss mckenna.
grandma deb made sand hands and feet complete with a mani/pedi for anna…
and where was i? well i was behind the camera the whole day and didnt even think to come out in front of it until we were packing up and i remembered the cool shot i got with my side of the family on mothers day.
and then i figured while i was on that kick, i may as well take a few more…
and a brand new favorite of all time…
i love my husband. **even though we just got in a heated discussion about the benefits or lack thereof of buying organic. (he thinks its a scam, i think HE’S A DAMN SCAM.)** i love him with all of myself. i love the father of my children. i love the best friend ive ever had. i love my cruise director, my advocate, my nanny/chef/maid/masseuse/life coach/shrink/sugar daddy. he is all of these things, and yet, he could be anyone else in the world and i would find him and make him mine.
and so, a few days late, i thank him. thank you love.
and also, a few days late, i thank his father for leaving him the legacy of how to be the man he is. thank you jamie.
and while my dad is not pictured here (because we spent the day with him last year) i thank him too. for teaching me about what kind of man i deserved. thank you tony.
how precious. i adore the last one! i would love to have that of my parents.
this post is so precious tara- every bit of it. thank you for such fabulous words and images.
i’ve been stalking your blog for a long while, but it’s my first time posting ;)
looks like a fabulous time was had by all and that last picture: warms my heart. LOVELY.
:)
Tara, I love the last image! So heartwarming, it made me tear up. So special…
What wonderful photos and what a wonderful tribute to the “dads” in your life! Very sweet!
Such lovely sentiments, Tara.
My dear husband feels the same way about organic while I am in hog heaven
at Whole Foods or Trader Joes.
That final picture is one of my favorites of all time and I don’t even know them :o)
That hat is too dang cool!
GRRRRRRRRRRRRLLLLLLLLLLLLL! You got me all choked up with what you wrote at the end. That was so sweet. Never said hi, so hi!
so sweet. happy late father’s day to jeff.
So, so, so great!!! That last picture is super fabulous!!
Hmmmm
This post got me teary eyed for so many reasons. Lovely post dear. :-)
i’ve lurked here for awhile, but after seeing these pictures, just HAD to post that i LOVE these shots. all the family together-ness, fun, happiness caputred is awesome. and i have to agree with you about that last picture…i love, love it too! (and it’s not even my loved ones. but it still makes you wanna melt.)
Hey Tara, I’m dropping in from Paris and wanted to say these are simply fabulous photos of your family. You really captured the day so well. Feels like I was there too … thanks, as alas there are no beaches here in Paris!!!
I am reading a great book right now that actually defines things as organic and not, and gives a great explanation on the topic! :) It’s The Big Green Purse http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Big-Green-Purse/Diane-MacEachern/e/9781583333037/?itm=1
It at least opens up different discussions. My husband used to ask if we needed to spend the money on organic, also. :))
Love love loved the photos! :)
Thanks for sharing!
what a lovely day and wonderful pics. but i kind of have to side with jeff on the whole organic thing. listen, i buy organic but something has always bothered me…. if organic farmer “bob” lives next door to pesticide farmer “pete” and it rains – doesn’t pete’s pesticide wash on over to bob’s farm? then how can that be called organic? that’s all i’m saying. but i still shop ALL the time at my whole foods (which by the way, they carry your soap you mentioned awhile back). have a great day T.
so love that you love your man……… happy lovin to you!
What a great post Tara… really awesome images.. what a fun family you are a part of..
All the pictures you took were great but my favorites are the one of Jeff and McKenna together as well as the last one of your in-laws. Just great, loving, emotionally happy pictures. As always, just wonderful.
WOW!! His parents are absolutely adorable!! I LOVE their hats!!
I just got the tingles!!!!!
Not only are your pictures great but you can write girl!
looks like a really special day. the way you describe jeff and how he looks in your photos reminds me so much of my husband, Rob.
that LAST PHOTO is 100% purely WONDERFUL!!!!! a truly special instant captured. treasure.
oh my, i just got all teary. your writing is so beautiful. amazing photos and amazing words. you rock.
Hi tara, what lovely wise words, I think it’s so true that a man looks to his father on what type of man to become.
And I often think of my late dad and feel grateful that because he showed his love for me so much, I have been able as a grown woman to know that I don’t deserve anything less.
On another note I’m so jealous of your lifestle there in the U.S. , bahh, it’s pouring rain here in Ireland and it’s supposed to summer, yuck.
Love that you’re lovin’ your husband so much – it makes me happy to know that there are people who are truly happy together. I feel the same about my man – love him a ton! With Father’s Day and my anniversary coming up I have been thinking about my better half and loving a new song by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillet called Lucky – I have been listening to it constantly and just feeling a big heap of gratitude for marrying such a good guy. After reading your thoughts on your hubby I thought you might like to hear the song if you haven’t already. It’s a simple little diddy but I love the words! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your always awesome photos.
Hi Tara,
A little off subject, but do you still edit/fix photos? I think I remember you doing that in the past, and I’d be very interested in that service if you still offer it. Please let me know! Thank you and beautiful shots and words!
Luana
and the love is obvious to anyone who looks at your photos. They are fantastic!
this was an awesome blog post! i love the energy and love that you caught in all of these photos. Super sweet. Super cool. You are awesome!!
good stuff.
Love checkin ’cause you never fail to inspire the bejeezus out of me.
now randomness-who is the music on your website by?
be well-h2
You really did capture our weekend together. I had such a great time. To everyone out there in the blog world, who really know this already, Tara is the real deal. She is the most lovely, creative, tender-hearted person EVER. You and your family bring so much happiness to my family. I can’t wait to see you all again. We Love ya Tara.
lisa o – i would be grateful for some pouring rain at this moment. just returned from TWO fifth grade promotion ceremonies in the blazing sun on blazing hot blacktops.
luana – i dont proof anymore-too busy with my own and my clients images. :)
jason – HUGE SMILES and a big hug. xoxo
so glad you jumped in that shot!
that would be cool to have that one printed and
framed next to the one of your side of the famiLY!
great shots!
tara
what a fabulous day with a lovely family.
Yeah – go 85!!!!
Love your work, and it’s always so fun to spot something and say “hey, we just drove past that!”. We are in the midst of a weeklong camping trip at San Elijo, so your shots this week feel right at home.
My husband and I have the same argument often—both of you will get a good laugh by watching this:
httt://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8TY4LSdjLI
If that doesn’t work, I also have it on my site—I saw it originally on Design Mom blog. Hilarious!! (“You look so American with your American body”)
yep. that’s a pretty incredible portrait – an new all time fave of mine too!!
and that organic thing is heated in our house too. ARGH!
Oh these are lovely, this looks just like where we live and how we spend our weekends. If only I had you here to take photos for me. Thanks for sharing. Jogirl
You really make things beautiful. what a great looking day. Please remember to come to DC and to call me when you come. There is a family of five (or at least 1 Mama) here just craving that Tara perspective.
Most excellent day at the beach – yeah, you need to come back to Seattle and the grey skies/drizzly/damp June weather. I have that organic argument with my mom quite often and I’ve discovered a great response – “it HAS to be better for the planet without all the pesticides and such…just humor me, okay?”
EXCELLNT PHOTOS.
HAVE A NICE DAY
fun shots! and your favorite…amazing:)
that shot is a treasure
what a great day! I love all the photos, especially the family shot and that last one…..ahhhhhh…..TDF!!! Amazing!
your family has such light in them, tara. thank you for sharing your day with us.
ever inspired,
melly~
All of those photos are beautiful, but the last one actually made me cry.
the last photo — wow, tara. amazing.
breathtaking, really.
Yes, definitely a favorite of all time! :)
Ooooh, the green goop! it will make for some great memories!
looks like a perfect day! :) love the family picture with the “B”. i will have to look for that next time we are down there.
love what you said about jeff – you guys are really lucky! :)
i need to pick a date for you…. i know. i will email you this week.
try to stay cool!!
Your post is so beautiful, as is your photography – i LOVE to visit your blog to see the wonderful pictures you’ve taken, and to hear your stories. Thanks for sharing!
Love this! It looks like you had a wonderful day. I have to giggle at your organic debate with your husband. I love bottle water and my husband is constantly telling me that there is a greasy man in some hole somewhere filling up my water bottle from a garden hose. Grrrrrrr!