FINALLY...Our First Family Photo Session!

So I put it off for only like ummmm... 18 years!  I felt bad about it.  I just thought it sounded stressful...getting the kids (younger kids) to cooperate for just a single picture is usually a contentious affair.  But I'm so glad I finally did it!!!  Yes...Alyssa and Ava were difficult and made crazy faces half the time, but it was worth it.  So worth it. 

 

My sister Terri passed away at age 25, and unfortunately we do not have a family picture with all 7 children.  The one picture we took as a family not too long before she passed had the film exposed before being developed.  So I know what a treasure it is to have these family photos.  I am so grateful these pictures capture our little family during one of our best memories together...our dreamy trip to Oahu.  Soon the kids will start disappearing into college life and missions...so this time is precious.  I love my family! 

 

All photos are by the extraordinary Kevin Foley on Ke Iki beach on the North Shore or Turtle Bay.  The waves were so huge, we screamed several times in sheer awe of the force!  You can't tell in the pictures, but they were huge.  The totally famous North Shore waves.  We were all dying of thirst and ran straight for shaved ice in Haleiwa when we were done.  Thank goodness they stayed open just for us.  The place said "We close at 6:30 on most nights, but we are on Hawaiian time so sometimes it's earlier or later."  We got there at 7:30 and they served us.  It was a good day.

Somehow Alyssa's face got covered in dirt during the middle of the photos session.

 

 

I love this one.  They fight like cats and dogs and also play and have so much fun together.

I love these teeth!!!!