Went up to Union Creek for the 4th of July weekend (our third year in a row.)
Josh and I were both a little blue because we were down in numbers (Courtney Lee was with her Mom and Ross was up in Seattle.)
But we decided we weren't going to let it put a damper the weekend.
Had grand plans of leaving home at noon but it was closer to 1:30 by the time we actually left.
Decided not to let that put a damper on the weekend either.
Had to hit the grocery store on the way out of town. I did the shopping while everyone else waited in the truck and after an hour, I emerged from the grocery store with enough food to feed a small army. (A problem I have that was only magnified by the fact that I was shopping on an empty stomach.)
Josh's initial reaction to the amount of groceries I bought was almost enough to put a damper on the weekend.
Got up to Union Creek about 5:00 p.m. and realized that the cabin Josh had (accidentally) requested was right alongside the highway with a steady stream of really loud, really fast cars driving to their weekend destinations.
Decided not to let that put a damper on the weekend either.
First order of business: Snacks (strawberries.)
Yes, Annie still pinches her neck whenever she wants to relax.
Second order of business: Setting up camp where mom wanted it.
And it may not be the best shot ever but every time I look at it, it reminds me of asking the boys if they needed help (repeatedly) and Coley replying, "We're men, we don't need help."
It also reminds me of Josh Down's incredibly hot calves.
Third order of business: Firewood.
Fourth order of business: Watching the fire.
Fifth order of business: Baseball (using pine cones and sticks because we always forget to bring baseball gear.)
Sixth order of business: Fetching your Dad a beer.
Seventh order of business: Picking a fight with your brother.
Coley retaliated by pulling the clothes off of one of Annie's babies (she brought eight) and hiding them. (Josh handled the situation by having Cole redress the baby...and clearly, Coley wasn't happy about it.)
I was going to take pictures of Coley redressing the baby...but Josh wouldn't let me.
Eighth order of business: Playing with the fire.
Ninth order of business: Dinner (but I didn't take any pictures because I was too hungry.)
Tenth order of business: Fruit Tart for dessert. (Annie dropped hers on the ground.)
Eleventh order of business: Bed for the little kids. (No time for pajamas.)
Twelfth order of business: Peace and quiet by the campfire.
Thirteenth order of business: Getting out of bed to disrupt the peace and quiet.
We stayed for three nights (so there's lots more to come.)
I can't wait to see more.
Posted by: Monica | July 06, 2010 at 03:46 PM
Wow, Karen. I just smile and smile when I look at your photos. And I have such respect not only for your photographic talents, but also your LIFE style. Very cool, and so so right. Can't wait for the next installment!!
Posted by: Sabrina | July 06, 2010 at 03:51 PM
Awesome - great choice of book to read (in the campfire pic).
Posted by: chris | July 06, 2010 at 03:54 PM
love the comment about Josh's reaction to the groceries....I live there, too! (with my man) - and also LOVE the comment about not getting to take a pic of Cole dressing the doll - only I SO would have - you know, stealth photography or something ;)
totally envious of the beautiful location for you to escape to in cabins - our close by escapes always seem to involve too much heat and not enough shade - for me, at least :)
Posted by: Adele | July 06, 2010 at 03:55 PM
These are incredible and make me want to go there, right.now.please.
I also love how Josh, although not a willing participant, does not draw the line at you posting pictures of him in his bathrobe, but instead of his little guy dressing a doll LOLOL!!! LOVE THAT! Or was it more that it would have totally pushed Coley over the edge. I can relate to that. I think Coley and my Sam are a lot alike. It was a tough day at the lake today. Especially since I got the second Error50 message on my 4 month old 50D :(
Posted by: Tammy Mellish | July 06, 2010 at 04:21 PM
this is the stuff memories are made of.
Posted by: anne | July 06, 2010 at 04:48 PM
Great pictures as always - I can't wait to see the rest of them. I had to LOL about Annie getting her dad a beer - too cute! :o)
Posted by: Tracy | July 06, 2010 at 04:52 PM
Those last two pictures are stunning....I was wondering if you could share how you shot those? They are just so clear. I never would have expected that with that lighting.
I am envious of your weekend. Looks like a lot of fun. Our kids are still just a bit young for that...someday though. At least I hope.
Posted by: Susan | July 06, 2010 at 05:12 PM
The lighting on the last photo is magical.
Posted by: Domenico | July 06, 2010 at 06:25 PM
I'm a blog stalker and love all your posts! What great little stories you tell and such wonderful photography.
Posted by: Christina | July 06, 2010 at 06:33 PM
Awesome pictures by the fire!
And just so you know, Kerry and I were discussing (a few weeks back) about Annie's neck pinching. I mentioned that I couldn't pinch much skin, it's like Pinch-An-Inch and it sure didn't relax me. He reached over and pinched my neck and made me scream and I told him to pinch his own d@mn neck and he said it didn't relax him either.
Posted by: Kelli | July 06, 2010 at 06:39 PM
Eleventh order of business...Annie (oof) pinching her neck at bedtime..so precious.
Posted by: Stacey B | July 06, 2010 at 07:23 PM
I have always drooled over your photography talent, but OMG you just keep getting better. Seriously, these are beyond beautiful. How lucky your friends and family are to be on the other end of your camera.
Posted by: Kathy C | July 06, 2010 at 07:35 PM
Is that Josh reading Patriot's History of the United States? A favorite book of my husbands :)
Posted by: lori | July 06, 2010 at 08:05 PM
Sound perfect anyway..
Yeah how pix with bonfire>>
Posted by: Jennifer Camplin | July 06, 2010 at 08:41 PM
These are incredible, Karen. The campfire lighting...woah! You make shooting in low light look so easy.
What book is Josh reading? Curious minds want to know. :)
Posted by: Kristal Jones | July 07, 2010 at 04:40 AM
Amazing shots as always... but that last shot of Annie and Josh Downs is GORgeous.. :)
Can't wait to see the rest!
Roxanne
Posted by: Roxanne | July 07, 2010 at 06:15 AM
Great Pics as usual.I hope I get extra credits.I am sat in a boiling hot internet cafe loading my assignment photos for class.Hubby is not happy and my battery is about to die on my laptop.
Posted by: Karen Aldrin | July 07, 2010 at 06:40 AM
Awesome pics, love the last one especially.
Posted by: Cate O'Malley | July 07, 2010 at 07:33 AM
Awesome pics!
Posted by: Huyen | July 07, 2010 at 08:45 AM
Ok, I've taken your class, but my pictures still don't look like that. The lighting is great on all of them. Are you doing light editing on them?
Posted by: Rene' Nevin | July 07, 2010 at 08:54 AM
Love the campfire pictures and would love info on how you shot those as well as everyone else!
Looks like your family had a great time!
Thanks for any info you can share.....appreciate it!
Julie
Posted by: Julie | July 07, 2010 at 07:37 PM
LOVE the campfire shots! So amazing!
Posted by: Lacey | July 08, 2010 at 07:23 AM
You said something in today's (horrible!!) post about not being professional. Perhaps you aren't but you take beautiful pictures of your beautiful family. I can't remember how I orig. 'found you' a couple wks ago, but I am now a steady follower because of your pictures and your wonderful family stories.
Posted by: Jill | July 09, 2010 at 06:51 AM
Love it!
Posted by: teresa b | July 09, 2010 at 03:24 PM
you do the funnest things with your family! annie is growing up so lovely!
Posted by: jamie | July 10, 2010 at 09:57 AM
Oh my goodness... That last pic with Josh holding his little girl with a book in his hand in the dark... I had such a strong weepy reaction to that photo. I'm stalking you because Kim Demmon told me to. She suggested your site to help me with my DSLR search. I'm so glad she did.
Posted by: Holly | July 11, 2010 at 04:21 PM
karen what actions do you use on your photos - do you have a specific recipe?
Posted by: Bex | July 12, 2010 at 12:55 PM
lllllllllllooooooooooooooovvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeee yyyyyyyyyyyyoooooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuu
Posted by: Karen Russell | July 08, 2011 at 05:34 PM