We first met Ronnie and Frank ten years ago, when we were photographing the amazing wedding of Beth & Jeff at the Coonamessett Inn in Falmouth. They were guests at the wedding and Ronnie had come up to us, raving about us and our work, having not yet seen the photos from the wedding. She’s just one of those people who approaches everything from a ‘glass half full’ perspective. In the dictionary next to the word positive is a picture of Ronnie. It’s hard not to immediately fall for her, and fall we did.

Happily, she,  Frank and their two daughters, Lauren & Kim, have all stayed in our lives over the years. We’ve shared dinners and giggles. We’ve photographed Lauren & Kim, for engagements and weddings, and now we get together every couple of years, when the gang all comes together for some happy family time at Ronnie & Frank’s place in Truro. It’s a beautiful respite, and for us, a sort of homecoming.

The past couple of times we’ve gotten together, it’s been so fun to see how the family has changed and expanded. What was once a family of four is now a family of twelve. We met two of the newest family members recently….and they just added more love & goodness to an already fairy tale family. Click HERE and HERE to see our past family get togethers.

As in year’s past, we met them at their summer home in Truro, and then headed to their favorite beach just down the road, Corn Hill beach. Below, sweet Hadley (left) and her sis, Piper, make their way to the beach, with brother, Wake, and the rest of the gang in tow.

Wake is all smiles and getting so biiigggg!!! While Hadley, hams it up with Grandpa Frank and CrayCray. So much love!!!

All the grandkids get together for a sweet pic with CrayCray and Grandpa Frank. Sweet baby Hailey (on CrayCray’s lap) was not feeling up to a photo session, but with the grown ups being big goofballs behind the camera, we got an almost smile.

Sweet sisters, Hadley & Piper, are just delightful, as CrayCray enjoys some snuggle time with baby sis, Finley. Meanwhile, serious cousin Lincoln takes it all in stride. Love these sweet boos!

Completely unprompted by anyone, Hadley & Piper share a sisterly smooch. Be still my heart!!!!!

All the girls….

Hello beautifuls!!!

Mark & Kim are seriously the coolest parents I know. With their four gorgeous babies, they spent their week in Truro camping. Yup! Camping with four kids. Four kids and three tents! A sleeping tent, a kitchen tent and a wardrobe tent, complete with hanging racks for all the kids’ clothes. Total superstars and my heroes! And, can we talk about sweet Piper pulling her dress out at the sides, proud as punch and relishing the attention. Love this family!!!

Speaking of love….check out baby Finley and those delicious thighs!! If ever there was a quintessential Cape Cod moment, surely this is it!

Cousins…running, playing, loving life and making the most of their time together….Be still my heart!

Can we talk about the unbridled joy written all over sweet Hadley’s gorgeous face? It is moments like this that are what life is all about! And, these are the ones that make me really love what we do!

Ironically, there was another family on the same beach having their photos taken. The photographer had them perfectly positioned and all was calm. I couldn’t help but wonder what they must have thought of our coordinated chaos….with kids running every which way (parents also joining in). I don’t think there’s a right way to do it, but for Andy & me…this is where it’s at. We’re just big fans of photographs that speak of life being lived and of kids being kids!

Sweet Hailey eventually warmed up to her new friends….and man does the camera love this girl!! And, so does her gorgeous cousin. Be still my baby-loving heart!!!

Families that play together stay together. And, this one sure knows how to play. Love them and these sweetly shared moments!!!

While all this silly play was happening around them, Ronnie grabbed onto Frank and said, “Can you believe all of this is ours?” Awwwww…and YES! Because love breeds more love…and these two childhood sweethearts have it in spades!

A little family sunset stroll….

When it was all over, I was walking back with Ronnie and her super sweet cousin, Diane, who was mostly an onlooker for the photos. But, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to photograph these two sweet ladies, who like me….are not super psyched to be the center of attention and have a camera pointed at them. But, sometimes, it is in those moments where giggles and joy produce the most lovely, heart-felt smiles. LOVE!!!

Back at the house, Ronnie asked if we’d be open to photographing their nightly ritual, where all the kids pile in their grandparents’ bed and Grandpa Frank sings a bedtime lullaby. UMMMM….YES!!!!!!! These sweet, little boos showed their appreciation with applause and sleepy smiles. And, with the sun setting and new memories made, our hearts were full. Loved this and loved that the family let us be a part of it!

Sweet, sleepy Hailey….just yummy!

This next one of her big brother melts my heart!! Photography for me is less about creating pretty pictures and more about connecting with my subjects. I get so moved when I look through my camera and share a moment of real connection with another human being….whether it’s a child, a bride or groom, a friend or coworker. It’s like they let me see them….the real them. And, for me, it is a moment of pure love. I know that sounds super corny, but it’s true….as human beings, we want to be seen, understood and accepted. And, when I photograph people, it’s like there’s this unspoken agreement that I’m going to be there to see them, accept them and love them and they willingly let me in. It truly is the coolest thing ever, because in so doing, they are also accepting and loving me. And, in this next photo…that’s exactly what I felt when I pointed my camera at little Lincoln, and he peered through my lens, with those soulful eyes and wry smile……all I could see was love.

As we were leaving, Lincoln and his mom shared a moment…watching as the sun slowly faded past the horizon, bringing to an end another day of love & family time on beautiful Cape Cod.

Ronnie & Frank….thank you!! For once again sharing your beautiful family with us!! For opening your hearts & home to us and for making us feel more like family than “your family photographers.” We love you guys and feel so grateful for your friendship. Kim, Mark, Lauren, and TL we feel so grateful to have been able to watch as you found and created love for one another and then built on that with the addition of your beautiful babies. We have loved watching you all grow and change and look forward to our next get together!! Kimmie….I’m serious about riding with you next summer!! Let’s make a mighty team of two! Love you guys to bits! Christine & Andy xoxo