PICTURES ~ A WONDERFUL NEW YORK CONCLUSION TO OUR SUMMER HOLIDAY

On our way home from Prince Edward Island we were able to spend a wonderful couple of days in New York with family we love. The newest addition to the family, pictured below, is little Charlie -- the sweetest puppy! 

In addition to enjoying this playful new pup, the kids basically spent all their time hanging out with Grandpa and Gigi and their cousins, swimming in the pool, enjoying pool-side bonfires, eating New York pizza (or as Justin would say, "real" pizza)... and then more swimming. 

PICTURES ~ THE ANNUAL PEI PORCH PICTURE

Each summer we line the cousins up from oldest to youngest on the steps and then attempt to take a picture where they're all looking at the camera and all looking at least moderately happy to be having their picture taken. As you can imagine, with six children there's always quite a few takes.

Take 1

Take 2

Take 3

Take 4

Take 5

Take 6

Take 7

Take 8

And finally... perfect!

Of course every good picture-taking session needs some silly pics too...

And more importantly than silly pics, some with Grandma and Great Grammy, too.

PICTURES ~ QUIET PEI NIGHTS AND FAMILY SNAPSHOTS

Although it's hard for anything to compare to days spent playing on the beach, PEI nights are almost just as magical. The sun drops, and then our nights are spent enjoying family around the fire pit.

Every year, we always make sure we drive to the North side of the island for sunset, where you can watch it slowly descend behind the blue water horizon.

The slower pace of vacation is always a good time to make sure you snap at least one family picture -- and even better if there are some with grandparents too.

First, the five of us. Relaxed and windblown.

Below, some pictures with the Nana and Grandpa Ganz.