Summer ending already?!?!?

The beginning of Landon's First Grade school year starts tomorrow, and I'm in disbelief. I can't believe the end of summer is upon us. The problem is that the weather is telling us anything but that, so my mind can't wrap around the idea that things are going to change around here in the next few weeks. Most years I am more than ready for the kids to get back into school. But not this year--summer went too fast. I wish we had more days to do whatever we feel like--no schedules, no homework, sleeping in, staying up late, etc. I guess our time flew by because we had exciting vacations to take, fun days at the pool, trips to the zoo and to Six Flags, time at the lake, and time spent in the sand box. Here are just a very few things that happened this summer...

A little girl of mine decided she finally liked hats (well, just a little).

True artists must work shirtless.
Master pieces take serious concentration.

Noah's artistic skill is...well, it is.

Landon let Mommy help a small bit on his.Mommy has learned these two are going to be trouble with a capital "T".

Even our 20 month old is part fish.

Landon playing a little football in the pool.

Noah learned to swim without his vest this year.

Lilah loves the pool as much as her brothers.

Here is a little video of Noah swimming on his own. Not bad for a three year old!

Although school is officially back in session, I think we'll be visiting the pool a few more times. This mommy isn't ready to say goodbye to our lazy days of summer.

Our saving grace

We had a 3 hour layover in Chicago on both legs of our trip. We knew the wait was long, but we also knew that we couldn't risk having to run through an airport with 3 kids and lots of luggage (we had several carry-on items since they charge for checked baggage) to catch our second flight. As we were landing in Chicago on the way out to South Dakota, the flight attendent mentioned that the airport had an indoor play area for the kids. God bless that woman. Both times, we first grabbed some food, and then we headed to our saving grace...the airport's indoor play area!

Noah peeking over the curtains.
Crazy-haired Lilah having some fun.

Landon hiding out in the big plane

Noah telling Lilah to join him in the maze of fabric.

Whoever came up with this little wonderland needs a raise. I personally think of him/her as a savior!

Fish Hatchery

The day after the reunion, we headed to the Fish Hatchery that is in Spearfish. It's such a cool place, and it's FREE (besides the food you buy for the fish, but when you have lots and lots of coupons for free fish food--it's really free). The grounds are beautiful, and in the tanks, there are hundreds and hundreds of trout. It's fun just feeding the fish, but in general, the area is so calm and relaxing. It's a place that we'll probably go to each time we go back because it's pretty and peaceful. Oh yeah, and it's free. ;)

A sample of the natural beauty of the area

My nephew, Davis, my cousin's kid, Nathan, and Landon check out the underwater viewing tank.
The boys and Lilah feeding the fish in the bigger pond.

More fish feeding...

Pete, Hannah, Sally, Mom, and Aunt Linda

Uh....

George, Jeff, Rose, and Abe

On our first full day in the Hills, we took a scenic drive up to Mt. Rushmore. Landon had been excited for this part of the trip since he had learned about our nation's presidents back in February. It is a place that every American should visit in their lifetime. We're fortunate that we have and will be able to see it many times because it is located in one of my favorite places on earth--the Black Hills of South Dakota. Seriously people, it should be on your bucket list. To be honest with you, there's not much to do once you're there but just stare at this big piece of rock. However, in your mind, the star-spangled banner begins to play. You marvel at the lives of four men who are forever etched in stone because of the amazing things they did for our country. You stand a little taller because you are an American and pride takes over your body. You are truly a part of God's country because the landscape around you is breathtaking. Take the trip--it's worth it.

When Landon walked up to get a better view of the carving, he said "Hi George! What's up Jeff! How're you doing Rose? Nice to see you Abe". Loved that my kid is on a first name or nickname basis with the big guys on the mountain.

Not long after I took this picture of him studying Mt. Rushmore, Landon turned to me and said "It's really just beautiful, isn't it?" Yeah kid, it is.

As I said before, we took a scenic drive to Mt. Rushmore and drove on a road called "Needles Highway". The scenery is spectacular.

Notice the climbers at the top. We watched them climb for a while which was very cool.

You go through many one lane tunnels on this route. This is my favorite of them all.

The beauty of the Hills is overwhelming.

Noah's favorite part of the day came when we rounded a corner to find this....

A big herd of buffalo!!! And they were so close. Many were still shedding their winter coats. There were babies nursing off of their mamas. There were big buffalo, and there were HUGE buffalo. We told Landon how the Indians of the area were dependent on these creatures and explained how they used the entire body of the animal. We sat there for so long just watching them or should I say mesmerized by them. When we decided to move on, it took us a while because many decided to cross the road in front of us. Again, amazing. This picture shows how close they were to us (no zooming was done)....

A few of them got a little too close for the kids and my comfort, and we promptly told Daddy to roll up the windows. We all loved this part of our day. Lilah still says "buffalo" when she sees the pictures.

So to George, Jeff, Rose, and Abe--thanks for giving this family a day to remember.

Reunion pictures

Here is just a sample of the pictures from the reunion....

Our home away from home-Cabin #11

Lilah and the buffalo statue

The view from our cabin

The kids eating breakfast. I looked up and saw them all sitting there. I grabbed the camera quickly.

What the tent looked like between meals...

Lots of card playing going on.

The kids getting ready for their prizes

Davis, Landon, and Brendan (these 3 were great together)

Waiting in line for the pinata.

Landon's turn. He broke the first one open.

Some of the people watching the pinata action.

Getting the goods...

Noah "driving" the 4-wheeler

The Carr Family Reunion

As our plane landed into Rapid City, South Dakota, tears filled my eyes. This was the first time that I had been back since my grandma's funeral in 2006. It was like I was just now realizing that she was not going to be at the reunion with us. The empty space tore at my heart some, and I wasn't so sure how the reunion would be without the matriarch in attendance. Why I worry about things like this, I will never know. Doubt the Carr family??? Really???

This year the reunion was held in Spearfish versus Lead like it's been for all past reunions. I think many were a little skeptical of the change; that is, until they arrived at the location. Elkhorn Resort was perfect for our family. There were small cabins, large cabins, and plenty of camping spots that we occupied. There was a fantastic playground for the little ones, a pool for swimming, a hot tub for soaking, and a huge tent set up for gatherings and meals. My family of 5 loved it, and I think my extended family of 121 liked it as well.

We started off the weekend with a chili cook-off. I'm proud to say that my husband cooked the 3rd place chili. I don't know how they decided who won--they were all so good. Saturday included a photo session, a fried chicken lunch, an ice cream and cookie social, prizes for the kids, a happy hour filled with margaritas and jello shots, door prizes for the adults, and a cook-out for dinner. Of course, many games were played throughout the day, the talking never-ended, and some of us went swimming (I only put my feet in. This Georgia girl couldn't handle the cold water). Later that night, a bunch of my cousins, siblings, Jason, and I headed to Deadwood for a little gambling. We had so much fun. Sunday started with Mass said for my grandparents and cousin Chad, and then we ended the reunion with a delicious brunch at the hotel. The good-byes started then (a part I strongly dislike), but luckily, many were staying one more night.

One of my favorite parts of the reunion was the shirt that we all received. My cousin had come up with the idea of how cool it would be if we had baseball shirts with a unique number on each. The number would represent where you landed in the Carr family (by birth or marriage). So, I got to work on figuring out everyone's number and came up with the idea of having the front say "Carr's" as if the family were the sponsor of the team. I personally thought they turned out wonderfully! We have 121 people who were either born into or married into the family that my grandparents started. Amazing! I always wonder if they ever had an idea of what they created when they met so many years ago.

I am having a hard time adjusting to being home. My mom always suffers a bit of this when she comes back after being in the Black Hills, and I finally understand how she feels. I miss them all so much already. I miss the days where my children played outside all day with cousins they had just met. I miss catching up with my own cousins, aunts, and uncles and reminiscing about times of old. I miss watching so many people smile just because they are a Carr. I miss being surrounded by so many people who make me happy. I miss them.

I chuckle now that I cried when we were landing. Grandma was there at that reunion. Only this time, she was finally able to sit next to Grandpa, and together, they watched the family that they had created. A family full of smiles and laughter. A family who takes the time to keep in touch. A family who truly loves one another. The Carr Family.

I hope Grandma and Grandpa had as much fun as I did. I like to think they did.


***I'll post pictures from the weekend on another entry, so this one isn't so insanely long. Also, I'll add more posts in the on the other things we did while we were on vacation.***

Wanting A Tradition

The Fourth of July is Jason's favorite holiday. He loves the cook-outs, the fireworks, the feeling of summer freedom, the noise, the family time... When I asked him tonight why it was his favorite, he listed those things, but then he quickly added "But mostly, I love that 234 years ago, men decided to stand up, and say we aren't going to take anymore." These men sacrificed their lives, their families, and their fortunes so you and I could celebrate this day with a smile on our faces and the freedoms that we have come to take for granted. I agree with him whole heartedly. Each year on this special day, I'm almost overwhelmed with pride for this great country that we call ours. However, I feel as if something has been missing over the past several years. I miss a 4th of July tradition that our children can call their own.

Growing up, we spent most of our Independence Days in the Black Hills of South Dakota. My parents' home town of Lead, SD became a little bit of my own through my youth. Each year, they closed down Main St. where we walked all day long--from my grandma's house to the park, and then back again. We were left alone to spend the money that we had brought from home on the crafts that the vendors sold on the street and only went back to Grandma's for the sloppy joes that were kept warm in the crock pot. I remember the freedom of those days, the joy of walking down the street of small town America feeling that all was right in the world. Later that evening we gathered as a family, both immediate and extended, on blankets and lawn chairs, to watch the fireworks that forever represent the holiday. I can still remember going to bed on those nights feeling full of life and liberty. Feeling like this is what the Fourth of July was all about.

I want that for my children; yet, I don't feel like we have found our tradition. Like last year, we will head to our friend's lake house tomorrow morning. We will celebrate the 4th of July in the sun and water, fun boat rides and games, a cookout and a low country boil. Tomorrow night we will gather together as a family at the water's edge to ooo and ahhh over the fireworks that are let off at the marina. I will be happy and full of American pride. That, I do not doubt. However, I still don't feel like it's completely ours. Our friend has his own extended family who we do not know. He invites friends who we have not met. I won't be completely comfortable because I will worry that my kids are a nuisance or be occupied with concern on whether my dogs are an inconvenience to anyone. Please do not mistake this for complaining. I more than appreciate our friend's hospitality and his willingness to open his house to our Seabolt clan. I am thankful for the time that I get to spend with Jason and our children. I just can't tell if it's the tradition that I'm longing for...

I'm sure I have glorified my days of youth. Don't we all. It's a time that has passed. Years of innocence that shined--something as adults we yearn for. After writing this, I realize that my kids will not feel any of my uneasiness of the day. They will be content to have their parents there to play in the sun, their siblings there to laugh with, and strangers who become their friends in one day. So, maybe this isn't a tradition as of yet. Maybe next year we'll find something else to do to commemorate our country's independence or maybe we'll be back at the lake house. I think I've discovered through my own words that we don't necessarily need a distinct happening for this holiday. What I can do to establish a tradition in this family is to make sure it's just that--our family. Together. Smiling. Laughing. Appreciating. Although I would give anything to have my kids walk those same streets of Lead that I walked many years ago, I realize those streets were for my time. They no longer exist--the celebration happens only in the park, and some woman who no longer plants my grandma's flowers occupies that house on Julius St. That time has passed. Now is the time for my children, and if I work it just right, as adults they, too, will glorify the Fourth of July holidays of their youth.