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| Kindergarten Alli |
Anywho.. Over the years their property has acquired the name "The Swamp" even though the pigs no longer reside there. Now if there's one thing you would say about my immediate and extended family it wouldn't be that we're boring that's for certain. We are a little wild, a little country, we like to have a few beers and we're full of love for one another. Outsiders may be a bit confused with all the "razzing" that happens between all of us but it's all fun and makes for great stories after any time spent together.
Although Kyle and I dated in high school this was definitely his first big introduction to the family and I'd have to say it went off without a hitch. He was initiated, he was involved in a lot of body humour talk, he played horse shoes, he got into serious late night conversations, and he was given a huge thumbs up from what I can tell. It's a fantastic feeling. We can be tough.
So this Swamp weekend is an annual thing that started on the August long weekend because my Grandmother's Birthday was usually on or very close to the weekend. Sadly, she is no longer with us but we continue to try and get together every summer at the same time. Since I have spent summers 2007 - 2011 working at Camp in Maine this was the first time I had attended in a long while! It was fantastic!
I had a few items on my bucket list that I thought this would be a fantastic opportunity to check off! #1: Stunt Kite Flying. #2: Blowing bubbles. Also, since "The Swamp" is a large field behind my Aunt and Uncle's farm. We were obviously... #3: Camping.
So we started with the Stunt Kite. We were very optimistic to start, as you can see. All smiles. I, however, knew the difficulty that two rather than one string brings to the whole "go fly a kite" thing.
We got it all lined up. Both of us giving it a whirl and having maximum 10 seconds of success.
So my Mom jumped in to give it a try. She may have taken not one, but two tumbles in the process.
It was in this position, a lot.
But then Kyle had success!! He had gotten the hang of it! Several minutes of high flying, swirling and twirling and diving but always the kite remaining... IN THE AIR and him on his feet! It was very exciting. I obviously wanted to feel the thrill of Stunt Kite Flying success, and I think Kyle had tamed the beast because my next go at it I also had a good few minutes of flying! So we turned it in. It's always good to end on a high note, I think.
The next evening my sisters and I decided to Blow Bubbles. And what better place to blow bubbles than in a hay field. And what better thing to wear while blowing bubbles in a hay field but long dresses. So we did.
There was a giant bubble maker...
And a kazoo-esk bubble maker...
The most success came from the giant bubble maker...
All in all it was a really great weekend. Amazing to spend time with family and have some good ole fashion fun with bubbles, kites, horse shoes, relay races and camping.
I'll finish off with a high light of some of the characters you may find at The Swamp...
Elvis often makes an appearance... however he's my Uncle Neil much more often..
Aunt Wanda... or for the day "Lance Armstrong" and her death stare.. She's so scary.. Especially when she....
Falls off a bike...
My lovely parents...
*A
