A Sunrise Family Photoshoot in Whistler, BC

I am so excited to have these pictures. So excited! I haven't had any printed yet but I am walking around my home trying to decide where I might tuck them... so dreamy. 

On all of our summer vacations we try to have our pictures taken; especially when there is spectacular scenery -- and Whistler is certainly spectacular! 

Back HERE is the post on about this day. 

On to the photos! I love them all so so very much! 

We met our photographer at 6:15 AM. It was a tight morning because we had to leave our hotel room by 5:50AM -- all dressed up, all looking the best we could oh my oh my! But so worth it!

We beat the sunrise which was our main plan. There was light in the park but the sun hadn't peeked over the mountain yet. Justa took a bunch of us before the sunrise and boy where we cold! Anna was the only one with a sweater and she sure was lucky! But we huddled together and made it work knowing that once the sun peeked up we'd warm up! 

I really like this blueish light that the mountains and the sky were creating. 

At this point she was trying to get us in position for the sunrise knowing that she'd have about !!! three !!! minutes only to capture it. (no pressure!) 

So we waited and waited and waited and she captured us an captured us and captured us. 

Then just like that -- like magic -- that sun peeked up and it just about took our breath away. 

And I felt so blessed to see it - to see something that no visitors would see -- to be off the path -- to be in that space -- in that light -- at that lake -- with the mountains in front of us. All filled up to the brim with gratitude for this glorious planet and even more for my adventurous family and our bond. I kept thinking, "look what we did -- with sensory issues, clinical anxiety, trauma, digestive disease, anaphylactic allergies, contact allergies, clinical perfectionism, we still did it. We are seeing the world. Nothing will stop us!" 

Oh my stars in Heaven -- look at that sunrise! 

This one below might be my absolute favorite. 

Even after the sun was fully up I loved the light on the water, the green of the trees, and the new look she was capturing. 

This one below is so naturally my girls and such a happy natural smile on Anna I adore her so much! 

We walked on the sand for a bit. And even went in the water! 

We ended up back on the dock with the mountains in back of us. We were so relaxed and having so much fun we really didn't pay any attention to the camera. We were just us (except dressed up!) 

What a treasure these photos are to me. I adore them so very much. 

Anna's dress is from Boden,

Abigail's dress is from J Crew Factory,

My dress is from April Cornell, 

Scott's shirt is from J Crew Factory. (just in case you wanted to know)

Sea to Sky Highway

Our last full day of this vacation -- this trip was actually delightful (even though there was a lot of driving) The drives we did from Whistler on the Sea to Sky Highway - to North Arm Farm - back on the Sea to Sky Highway - past Whistler, and heading toward the city of Vancouver. The drives themselves were 'destinations' and although by now I was tired and ready for the blessing of ordinary days at home I constantly had my head out the window wanting to capture all that I could. 

By this time I had my 'big camera' and all of the lenses tucked inside my carry on - too packed up to pull out, so these last photos, some of which I like the best were taken with my phone. 

Oh my gosh, I forgot that even though we had to check out Abigail and I scooted up early in the morning before anyone and went for a swim in the pool. After Scott's workout he captured a few pictures of us so we could remember. 

The way the sun was hitting the glass doors and the trees was oh so pretty. We spent a good loooong time there! Loved how it was an indoor - swim to outdoor pool! 

We got all packed up and checked out of the Westin (boy, we loved it!) 

I already want to go back... 

We drove here: 

What a grand backdrop to a farm. Click HERE to see better pictures than I even attempted to take. We had a delicious lunch and then headed back toward the city of Vancouver. These were the views out our window: 

Love that Abigail is always willing to jump out and take a picture with me! 

And just like that we were back home after a day of travel - airports and such. 

After all of these posts (and there is one more coming just as soon as the photographer finishes our photos) you'd think I could sum up this grand trip in a few words. 

I can't. 

I am just simply grateful for our life, for adventure, for God and the beauty he created, for being able to see one more small corner of the world.

And yet as still as I would start planning another trip all over again it was good to be home. It is the ordinary days, the at home days the the magic really happens. 

These are the days I'll remember.