Labor Day 2011

tra·di·tion 

 /trəˈdɪʃən/ Show Spelled[truh-dish-uhn] noun

1. the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice: a story that has come down to us by popular tradition.

2. something that is handed down: the traditions of the Eskimos.

3. a long-established or inherited way of thinking or acting: The rebellious students wanted to break with tradition.

4. going to the beach Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day: The FamDamnLy have a tradition of being together at the beach on these holiday's.

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As our family ages, moves, changes and makes new choices I think a lot of FamDamnLy traditions will change. Change is hard. Change is inevitable. Change is here to stay. I will embrace the changes I like and ignore the ones I don't...spoken like a true Horrigan, don't you think :)

We accomplished a lot over Labor Day 2011. That said...there is still more to be done. We very much need some boys to clear ivy on the hillside, split the remaining rounds, and clear behind the corner of the little cabin (only the corner is left - Glenna completely scoured the rest of the area behind the cabin - it looks amazing).

As promised, photos of our weekend at the beach...

Story telling at it's best

I have no idea what Grandpa is saying to Hailey. She's smiling, Joc is laughing. Look at him leaning in to earnestly impart some wisdom, observation or direction. We've all been Hailey...can't you just feel Grandpa doing this to you?

Grandma telling stories about when she was a little girl at the beach. Some were familiar Goat Trail, Virginia V and Uncle Sam stories. Some were less familiar recollections about her happy place and the people in it. She had a captive audience!

Grandpa telling stories about fishing, crabbing, boating, fire building, and everything beach-ee. I think he's telling Joc where to put another log :) He had a captive audience too - the photographer just zoomed in too far.

Drake and Henry were a hoot!

Grandpa never tired of their antics. They were amazingly well behaved for being so young (I'm envious). They are obviously the best of friends and adored their people.

Projects

There were lots of behind-the-scenes projects going on that I did not get pics of but here is a sampling of what we accomplished. It felt good!

John and I made a huge dent in the fishing cabin project and made a 5th dump run (okay, mostly John but as his official go-fer I'm sure I make a difference LoL!). Tyler split a bunch of wood. Jocelyn swept roofs. Glenna finished the new table (new as in an old table rejuvinated) and raked, swept, pulled and cut lots of vegitation and debris. Grandma, Granpa and Jody managed a multitude of missions - the most important of which was being chief cook and bottle washers :) 

After John and I fell through the porch (ouch!) it was time for it to go.

He likes to tell me to put the camera down and get back to work (he thinks he's being funny :)). I tell him my peeps need the pics (I can be funny too).

Building the frame for the new porch.

YES (says John)! The frame fits and Granpa approves.

Grandma putting a final coat of verathane on the new porch.

Grandma checks out the progress inside the rooms (she is standing on temporary boards while the new floor dries).

Voila! Ready for paint.

Knotty wood and a dull axe make for hard work.

All work and no play...just won't do!
There was plenty of play time, visiting and relaxing for everyone. Jocelyn, Hailey and the dogs took some great walks. Tyler took Hailey and the dogs out in the row boat - well mostly Hailey since Henry wouldn't get in the boat and Drake kept jumping back out - wish I had snapshots of that; very funny :) Everyone got some reading time in and soaked up loads of VitaminD.

Someone has been playing with candles and melted the ketchup bottle...
...and it wasn't the youngest James!

The Bowen Family (minus Henry and Drake). They loved being there. We loved having them there. Good quality time was spent together. Doesn't get much better than that!

Everyone got in on Hailey's new game of Hedbanz. It's much like the "what animal am I?" game we always played. We took turns asking questions of the group to try to figure out what the card said in our headband. The tough part was it could be anything - people, place or thing! I tell you no lie - it elicited belly laughter from all!

Lots going on here. Starting with Joc tending the fire. She was the campfire-queen all weekend (thanks Joc!). Grandma and Suzanne had many get-togethers to discuss beach memories for the book Suzanne is writing...and of course share gardening secrets and schemes. Don, Flint and Rod came over to visit with Grandpa, Tyler and John for a long time and talk shop. The photographer got busy preparing dinner and didn't capture a picture of all the guys together - oops!

Kids and dogs love to play along this long narrow stretch between the houses. Grandpa loved sitting in poor Martin's chair. He was protected from the wind so he could stay toasty while watching all the goings-on between cat naps (even as hot as it was he had a hard time staying warm) .

Hailey is carrying on the time-honored tradition of every kid at the beach and playing with kelp; this guy was humungous!

Three mom's. Three generations. Lots of love.

Showing us Jocelyn's present.

Quiet Time :)

Shannon might have to arm wrestle for hammock time...HRB looks right at home there!

The many faces of Grandpa BBQ'ing...

Celebrating Hailey's 8th Birthday

Do you know how much fun it is to have a kid out at the beach? TONS. It is what makes the beach so important to us - the passing from generation to generation a place where real family memories are made; where connecting with family happens effortlessly; where traditions are born.

We celebrated with ice cream cake (have to keep up some traditions!), song and presents.

The birthday girl gets the first slice!

We played this game the next afternoon. She's good. Very good. Let's just say Glenna and I need to work on our last word skills - who ever would have thought that possible :)

And that about covers Labor Day 2011. I'm looking forwar to 2012 and whatever is in store for all of us!

PS - Driftwood update: it's still there :)