We just spent two weeks in Cornwall, England, with our chatty relatives and seagulls who would try to steal our chips. Here are a few photos, if you’d like to see…

We arrived at my late grandmother’s house…

… where my aunt Lulu still lives. She always welcomes us with open arms. Here, she’s standing in front of the town pub.

We hung out there a lot, since they welcome dogs and children and make a mean Sunday roast.

And, most important, the pub has a dart board. Anton and I bet £1 per game, and you can see from the photo above how good I was, haha.

Kids on vacation always make me laugh because they look high as kites. My friend Alison joined with her family, which made me so happy.

Every day — unless it was pouring rain — we took the little boat down the river.

We squeezed in with all the aunts, uncles, cousins and babies.

Including my beautiful new godson. When my cousins initially asked if I’d consider being his godmother, I reminded them that I wasn’t religious. But they explained that they interpreted the role as a warm, caring adult that he can turn to anytime in his life. I was so moved and honored to accept. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Anton also got into fishing and used his aforementioned dart winnings to buy a Royal National Lifeboat beanie for cooler days.

And how ’bout that view?

We ate our weight in fish and chips, as always.

And one evening Lulu made a delicious dessert of strawberries, honey, and yogurt. It was fresh and rich and sweet and wonderful, and I’m bookmarking it for New York’s strawberry season next year.

Also, in the little fishing village across the harbor, there is a shop with hand-pressed seaweed prints. Aren’t they gorgeous?

Another highlight of the trip was my brother playing guitar, which added a slow-paced soundtrack to the noisy, bustling house.

At age 14, Toby is the oldest cousin in the younger generation, so he was a rockstar to the little ones.

Anton, too. 🙂

By the end of two weeks, we were all happy and exhausted.

And, although we’re never quite ready to leave, it was time.

England, we miss you already and cannot wait to see you next year. And not pictured: long travel days, jet lag, sibling squabbles, rainy days, all the things that comes with family vacations! xoxoxo

P.S. My aunt Lulu’s beauty uniform, and the life motto I learned at my grandmother’s funeral.