From strolling around downtown, to lazy mornings looking at the water at our rental, and swimming at the lake house, Clayton never disappoints. As sad as we were to miss the family trip last year, it was certainly worth the wait.
We’ll be back next summer, Clayton! ✌️
Media taken Tuesday, July 7 – Thursday, July 9, 2026 🌊
From being bullied and ostracized by blood relatives to being accepted and loved by TWO families? Priceless!
I’m grateful to have Alex’s mom’s side of the family here in Georgia, and Alex’s dad’s side in upstate New York. I never thought I would be lucky enough to have one group to call family, and to have two means the absolute world to me. My inner child is healing and I love Alex’s family so much!
I not only had the honor to take surprise engagement photos, but also family photos a couple days later. I can’t wait for next year’s family vacation already!
Linley, of course, had to add some saltiness to the sweet photos…
Photos taken Wednesday, July 8, 2026
During our family vacation in New York, Alex’s cousin Matt texted us with very exciting news: he was going to propose to his girlfriend, Laura! I never met Matt but was so excited and honored that he told us. He also asked if I wanted to photograph the moment, and I obviously – and excitedly – said yes. While Matt didn’t propose to me, I feel like my being asked to photograph the big moment was just as big as him asking Laura to be his wife 🤣
Here are some moments I captured:
Congratulations to the newly engaged couple!
Photos taken Monday, July 6, 2026 at the family rental home in Clayton, New York. 🥂
I struggled to write about my time in New York with Alex and his family because this was the first family trip I’ve taken in over 13 years. I remember feeling excited when talking with Alex about this trip last year – which was before we were even officially dating – and although it’s painful I don’t have these experiences with the family I was born into, it’s wonderful to have them with the family I now belong to.
Oddly enough, we never took family photos. We were living in the moment, enjoying each other’s company along the St. Lawrence River in Clayton, New York. Alex, Linley and I stayed in an awesome home on a little island — where Linley ran free and had the time of his life. The quality time with Alex and Lin meant so much to me, as did the time getting to know Alex’s extended family throughout the week.
I miss having coffee with Alex in the sun room every morning. I miss being outside with Lin and having lazy mornings together. I miss the walks into town as a trio and the places we’d see along the river. I miss hearing the waves crash against the rocks and I miss the sun on my skin — when I felt totally relaxed and at ease. I miss how Alex and I would look at each other and say “I love you,” knowing we were about to have a great day together.
I wish I could go back to those moments and vacationing with Alex and Linley all over again… until next summer 💛 I look forward to sharing more about the trip in the coming days!
Media taken July, 2024
Traveling with the Traceys 