By the time February hits I may feel differently, but this time of year I feel so grateful to live here on beautiful Cape Cod. Andy & I came here in 1996, unsure of how long we’d stay. But, now, 15 years later, we happily call this amazing place, which offers so much to so many, home.

My relationship with Cape Cod began when I was just a little girl. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of family vacations we would take here. My dad would rent a house for a week and he’d invite my grandparents to come join us. There were sparklers, inflatable swimming rings shaped like ducks or purple dinosaurs, my Grandma’s infamous potato salad, piles of collected sea shells and the delicious smell of sunscreen. It was the best of times!

The trips would always start more or less the same. My dad would pack up his old beat up car, loaded with far too many clothes (he did have 3 girls after all), our favorite board games, and me & my sisters. Once the car was sufficiently stuffed, we’d all crowd in and make that torturous 2-hour drive to the shore.

My sisters & I would continually ask my dad, “Are we there yet?” “Are we close?” “How about now?” or screech out his name because someone had crossed that invisible line in backseat that marked one sister’s space from another. I admit, there was also the occasional flying fist, and not always because we were playing “Punch Buggy.”

Once, on a particularly steamy drive down, one of my sisters dared me to toss my shirt out the window, which I did…by accident. It was not a good scene. Upon hearing the news…my sister, of course, ratted me out as soon as the shirt left my hand…my dad slammed the car breaks, swerved into the break-down lane, jumped out of the car and went running down the highway, darting traffic to get my shirt. Needless to say, he was not happy with me.

But, when we’d crossed that bridge onto Cape Cod, the smell of the sea in the air…all problems seemed to just melt away, like soft served ice cream on hot tarmac.

The week that followed would be filled with days on the beach, swimming and building sand castles. Back at the house, we’d play penny poker with my Grandpa, while Grandma cooked up something delicious, often involving Italian sausage or tomatoes. And, throughout the week, my dad would let me borrow his camera to document the highlights. Even then, I knew how important it was to preserve the wonderful memories we were creating.

Today, it brings me much joy to be able to do that for our bello families, who love Cape Cod as much as we do and who come here to make memories of their own.

Earlier this month, we were invited to visit with Kathy & Dave and their two super sweet kids, Hailey & Grayson, at their Nauset Beach home in Orleans. They wanted to document some end of the summer fun before they had to head back to the city, where work & school awaited them.

We photographed this lovely family a couple of years ago, so we were really excited to see them all again and see how much the kids had changed. Click HERE to see our first session together.

During our time apart, Kathy & Dave had done some work on their house/property, including building this super cool tree house for the kids! Talk about summer fun…..

Hailey & Grayson…

While Andy was trying to get the kids to laugh/smile for the camera, I sneaked into the tree house for a different perspective…

Strike a pose, there’s nothing to it…Vogue!

Peek-a-boo, I see you!

Trying to get Grayson to sit still for this next shot was no easy doing, but man was it worth it! The sun was coming in through the side windows creating this spot lighting effect that was to die for! Love it!!!

Kathy, Dave & the kids….hanging out in their new digs.

I can’t help but smile when I think about all of the wonderful memories Hailey & Grayson will make in that tree house! So fun…

Meet the other family members….Sapphire & Kiss.

I just love Grayson’s expression in this next one. Andy was asking Grayson what his favorite candy is…apparently a very compelling question to a five-year-old.

Happy faces…

The whole gang! Love is…family time!

Momma & her girl and Daddy & his boy…

Hailey is definitely not a girl who’s afraid to get her hands dirty and we love that about her. Love this next photo of her as she races up this tree…

Kathy & Dave also got this super cool vintage Willys jeep earlier this year (which they painted themselves) and were so excited to take us out for a spin. Totally rad! We all drove down the beach in it together and it is a blast!

Kathy & Dave take a moment for themselves…

Aren’t they cute! Love the kids playing in the background!

A fun family moment…

Someone created this super cool climbing structure/sculpture on the end of Nauset Beach using old driftwood. It was sooo cool and Hailey just couldn’t help herself and had to climb it. I just love this photo of her…she looks so innocent, sea-swept and so completely unaware of how beautiful she is.

Sunset & the end of another summer of memory making…

Thank you Dave & Kathy for once again inviting us into your lives with such warm, open hearts and for sharing your beautiful children with us! We had so much fun spending time with all of you and documenting you all enjoying each other. We hope these photos serve as wonderful reminders of your sweet days here on beautiful Cape Cod. With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo  PS…Hailey, I promise to make sure we have time to see your home movies the next time we get together. They sound so fun! And, Grayson…if you’re very good, maybe we’ll bring chocolate!