Summer VayCay-Day 1

I'll admit when we began throwing around family vacation destinations...travelling all the way to the Caribbean seemed a bit crazy. Especially for the Mom and Dad of two under two year olds! It has been over four years since the whole "fam damily" went on vacation together, so this needed to be something deliriously fun for all of us. In upcoming posts I'll share a few of the things we learned while on summer vacation.

For instance...what happens when babies

meet the beach

for the very first time...

absolute delight!

Palm trees on vacation are always a good sign.

The toddler stance is adorable...and altogether gone too quickly.


It is surprising how easy all those Type A personalities in the family can relax in the hot summer sun.

On Day One of a beach vacation, it is very important that you use extra caution and not get sunburned. Basically we dipped the babies in sunscreen every two hours. Not to mention any names, but Bob...ahem...could have used the same dipping.

Don't be surprised if you see pigs running loose on the beach in the Caribbean.

Building a pool for your kids on the beach requires lots of water

and lots of patience.

But the payoff is enormous.

Babies love crawling in

and out of their own personal beach pool

that is just the right size.

Eating sand...

is yucky every time you try it!

A little hidden beach called Happy Bay is just a short hike from Friar's Bay Beach. A naked French man suntanning by himself on Happy Bay...

can even make the snorkel gang pack up and leave. And I seriously did not realize monsieur was still visible in this photo when I took it. Let's play Where's Waldo...I mean Where's Pierre?

Day One is pretty much summed up in this sibling photo. And yes Chet...Dione somehow got your hair "Biebered" rather than the normal straight down comb.

GarlickDance

Most families hold annual reunions during the hot summer months. You know with matching t-shirts, gunny sack races, and Grandma's baked beans.

But not the Garlick family...we hold a film festival. Thanks to Rod and Kathi for annually organizing and hosting the event. It's very nearly as big of a deal as the Sundance Film Festival...well maybe even bigger!

It began innocently enough with Kirsten living in Oregon video taping a slug! And soon enough GarlickDance made it's premiere.

The slug named Emry has since become the symbol of GarlickDance, with the winner's trophy proudly wearing the name.

The rules for submitting a film to the festival have changed slightly over the years. Festival rules in 2012 state your film has to be less than 12 minutes long...

and contain these required elements.

Simultaneously, the GarlickDance films are premiered in four different locations in Utah, California, and Oregon. Following the last movie, festival goers complete a ballot and vote for their favorite.

Brother and sister...I think they look alike don't you? Dean collaborated with Lawyer Girl Dione in LA this year. Although there is some controversy over how much work Dean actually did and why he got top billing as producer.

Jill and Matt and their little munchkins made a movie this year, which included My Little Pony scenes.

Anyone who is anyone will be seen at The GarlickDance premiere. Including Famous opera singer Erika and her husband Cody.

Although Harley told me she just comes for the desert.

And this guy...I don't care why he came; with that hair and that shirt, he can go wherever he wants!

This is Dean's niece Lisa. When she was little they used to call us Big Lisa and Little Lisa. I did not care for the nickname "Big Lisa" and I'm pretty sure she hated the "little" reference while she was growing up. Now the family just calls us Lisa and we both turn our heads.

GarlickDance comes complete with babysitting services in a playroom. Cool huh?

Addison is the youngest ever producer to submit a film to GarlickDance. At the mature age of FIVE...she made an awesome movie with a lion a tiger a princess, a wizard and Nate.

So without further ado...little girl big city-true life story of dione garlick

You'll need about 12 minutes, so grab a beverage and enjoy!


little girl big city- true life story of dione garlick 1280x720 from Lisa Garlick on Vimeo.

After the votes were tallied up...it was Kathi and Cori's film "Intervention" which came home with the trophy!

Kathi's films are always my favorite every year, so it was time she got a win! Kathi and her sister have the quirkiest sense of humor that is simply hysterical in their movies.

So while you are attending your summer family reunion...baking in the hot sun waiting for Uncle Don to stop telling his endless stories. Pick up your video camera and start filming. Who knows, maybe you could start your own film festival that just might be as famous as GarlickDance.

Five Years

Seeing each other just once a year, 

it is surprisingly easy to pick up where we left off.

Most of us met by the tragic circumstances that annually brings us together.

The traditional shoe shot!

Exactly five years ago today on a similar hot summer day; young, vibrant and handsome Parker had a horrible accident...causing the Bradford family's world to come crashing down around them. They unselfishly chose to share the marking of this day with us.

As we gather together each year, it seems our numbers increase.

Dean likes to tease Miss Mary, and she pretends to hate it! It's a game they play...but she was more than happy for a piggy-back ride for a bit.

The teenage boys hiking in front of us made sure they didn't let us know about the dead rattlesnake on the trail, they wanted to make sure I FREAKED out appropriately! It worked!

Another little hiker whose small legs need a rest. This was a very steep incline which must adults struggled with. Seems all those Cross-Fit sessions are paying off honey!

I look forward to seeing Sharlee every year, watching Devin grow taller every 365 days. This year we were able to meet her hubby.

Snack trading time!

The Lehnardt boys are always up for a smile. Mom Michelle the photographer has them trained so well. Now if only Chet would do the same.

Ah, a natural smile from the hubby for the camera...a rarity to say the least!

My friend Michelle whom I met on this hike just two years ago. I can't imagine my life without her! Michelle's photography inspires me, as does her love of family and joy in motherhood. If you don't read her blog you should...and then you'll want to be one of her kids.

Dean and Gabe wrestling...not sure who is winning!

The entire group at the top. We are all connected to Parker in our own way. 

The Bradford family sans Parker plus a friend.

I snapped this photo of Julie in the exact location her husband proposed to her. We met on a previous Parker hike a few years ago shortly after she lost her son Brigham. This year, I notice a little more spring in her step and a lot more joy in her eyes. I wonder if people say the same about me?

Julie's family are skiers too, including daughter Emily. I loved chatting and getting to know Emily. She is an adorable, energetic fifteen year-old girl who is completely passionate about skiing...reminds of someone I know.

The men show us their muscles in the mountains

and how to climb lift poles.

Yes Melissa looks this beautiful all the time even after hiking on a hot summer day. But it is her beautiful soul that envelopes me. Her loss is my loss, and her heart aches for her child just as mine does. I asked her what five years feels like. She describes this period as the beginning of a new book...containing unwritten chapters filled with joy and  potential.

On the way down, we make our way over to the waterfall...

for a refreshing stop to play in the frigid falling water.

Fresh from running underneath the waterfall, Claire really wants to hug her mom...but is resisting.

Chet running through.

Fifteen year old boys sneaking up on manhood quickly...and a lurker in the background.

I love how the boys take care of their Mary.

Gabe was literally right on Dean's heels for most of the hike. I started calling him the human Izzy, because that's exactly what she does.

Another Mary moment from a big brother...isn't she a lucky girl!

At the end of the day, that's what this hike is all about...time spent with family and friends. Remembering those special people whose lives are etched in our past our present and our future.