my family
Have you seen the June issue of Martha Stewart Living yet? I'm so excited to share that my family is in this issue, featuring one of our (now famous!) Hellewell family reunions. You can meet my cute mom and dad, my siblings and their spouses, my nieces and nephews, my kids, and even my sweet grandma.
I have great memories of attending family reunions with my dad's extended family when I was a kid, up at the Baxter cabin with all my cousins and aunts and uncles. Now we get together with my parents, and my kids get to run around with their cousins and enjoy the same traditions: the Hellewell Family Olympics, the grandparents walk, dinners outside, games of croquet on the lawn, and late night story telling.
(How cute is my mom? Can you tell her grandchildren LOVE her?)
We shot the story last September, when baby M was just 8 weeks old (so some of this shoot is a bit of a blur to me!). My friend Marcie McGoldrick, who is now the Crafts Editor at Martha Stewart, came out to Utah to help produce the story, along with fellow crafter Shane Powers. Marcie, Shane and I all worked on Martha Stewart Living together years ago, so it was a fun reunion in more ways than one.
Photographer Francesco Lagnese took some beautiful pictures, and even got to try his first root beer float during the shoot. You can see more pictures on his website, just look under the Kids tab, and then go to "Family, Friends + Apples" for a slideshow which includes several photos that didn't make the final story.
You can read more about all our traditions on Martha's site (like these shirts for the kids that show their birth order) in this little guide about planning a family reunion. You can even download the t-shirt and award certificate designs. And my dad is pretty excited that they included his recipe for homemade applesauce.
We are in the midst of planning our next reunion, which will take place this summer in Southern California. Looking back at this story reminds me that it's the simple traditions that make reunions special, not the grand gestures. We're planning on days at the beach, late night card games, outdoor movie night, and cooking s'mores on the bonfire. I can't wait to see all my family together, even if it's just for a few days!
06.2.2011
Reader Comments (36)
I only have a very small family. And we are not so close unfortunantelly.
I sure hope I will change that once I have kids.
I love those photos. So beautiful. I really like the shirts with the birth order.....
Love, love love all about it!
Yvonne
Oh what lovely photos to remember such a lovely occasion. I love all those little touches like the t-shirts, the kid's PJ pants. Awesome. (and yes, your mum looks very much the adorable and adored grandmother!)
loved this story! glad you're blogging about it :)
How exciting!! And how wonderful that your family has such lovely get-togethers and so much family spirit. :-) Can't wait to check out the article and read more about it. (And those shirts are SO cute!)
Oh wow, I love all your ideas here! Your family is an inspiration. Mine is getting together in a couple weeks... we aren't that big, but now I want to try starting some traditions for our get-togethers. Thank you for the ideas!
SO ADORABLE!!! This is so inspiring. I LOVE the last picture on Francesco's website of your dad (I'm assuming) reading to the kids... so precious!
This is so great!!!!!! Congratulations =)
- Sarah
http://agirlintransit.blogspot.com
Beautiful images and ideas, I love this, think I'm going to pick up the June issue now!
I saw this and immediately said to my hubby, "I read that blog!" I was so excited for you. What a beautiful family and tradition.
I was excited to see the article. I loved your games and crafts.
How amazingly wonderful! Such a beautiful tribute.
My copy arrived today...I can't wait to open it and view the full story. Your family sounds adorable Brooke...like the family in Dan in Real Life. You are one lucky duck!
Brooke, what a treat to finally see the whole fam. Really, what a treat!
What a lovely tribue to your family! Congrats!
xo,
Kate
www.cinnamonink.blogspot.com
Hi Brooke! I saw this story in Martha and was so happy and excited for you! How fun to share your family traditions in such a big way!
Congratulations! Your family is gorgeous:)
This is so inspiring. Such a beautiful tribute.
I loved this article! I just showed it to my mom last night as we are in the process of planning our next family reunion. Your family is darling!
wow! how utterly exciting!! your family looks just lovely!!
I was loving this article, even more-so that it takes place in Midway! I live in Salt Lake and go to Midway often-it is sooo pretty!
What a gorgeous family you have.