Family Fun

Each summer, M and I head back to my home town in Illinois for a week. We continued this tradition this year, bringing C with us this time. M and C were able to spend a lot of quality time with their cousins (Emma and Seth), aunt and uncle (Stacey and Dave) and grandparents (Mo and Big T). You read it correctly... Mo and Big T. The oldest grandchild, Emma, gets the credit for those. When learning to talk, she couldn't say Grandma, so it became Mo Mo and was eventually shortened to Mo. My dad, Terry, has always been called "T" by his closest friends. While his children (that would be me, along with my sister and brother) were in high school, and he began to develop a Moped sized Goodyear around his waste, he became known as Big T (and sometimes Big Tire). When Emma began talking, she obviously heard everyone refer to him as Big T, as she began to refer to him as that as well. So, for all the other grandchildren, it's Mo and Big T.

We were able to watch Emma, who is now 9, compete in a tennis tournament over the weekend. She won both her singles and doubles matches and went home with a beautiful trophy! Here, C sits in the stands with Big T and Mo. We were also able to spend a little time with my grandfather, Grandaddy. C was able to meet his Great Grandaddy for the first time. Here, M, Seth and C pose with Grandaddy.
My home town used to be a small one. Although it's sometimes difficult to see your home town change and grow so much since you've left, some of the new additions/renovations are exciting. The Bike Trail is one of those. When I was little, our family used to ride our bikes on the same trail, but now, the trail is paved and has extended to several other nearby towns. One of our favorite things to do when we're in town is to hop on the bikes for a ride out to a farm in the country. During this ride, M was able to hear a real rooster! (Not an everyday occurance for a girl growing up in the burbs.) The farm has two friendly horses, who, when they recognize Big T and Homer (Mo and Big T's labradoodle) and remember that when Big T and Homer visit, they always come with carrots, will gallop from across the field to the fence where we are standing. The kids and Big T love to pet and feed them.

Big T wasn't sure of the name of this one, so M named her Milkshake. A few minutes after M gave Milkshake a kiss, she decided to slime her. Milkshake must have eaten a few too many blades of grass before she trotted our way.

J.C. is the solid brown horse. He found M's helmet to be rather tasty.
M loves being able to spend so much time with her Illinois cousins. They spent a lot of time playing in the pool!
As always, we had an awesome time. Thanks Mo, Big T, Stacey, Dave, Emma and Seth for helping us make so many special memories. We're already looking forward to next summer!

Watch Out Whoopi!

During the birthday/anniversary celebration (see previous post), the Illinois crowd presented us with a few surprises. Delightful surprises, I might add. Better yet, hilarious surprises.

The first was the Sisters' Act. Karen, her sister, sisters-in law, and friends who may as well be sisters, are all a part of the "Sisters" club. They don't call it a club, but from an outsider looking in, that's exactly what it is. You see, we younger "sisters" and "cousins" would love to be a part of this "club," but, for some reason, we're never invited to their once a year long weekend gatherings.

During the party, the Sisters provided us all with some of their own entertainment.

Watch out Whoopi!

Holy Mary led the sisters onto the dance floor.

To a gospel choir like rendition of Ricky Nelson's "I Will Follow You," the Sisters traced Karen's path through life... taking her wherever Chuck would lead her... away from her Sisters in Manteno and Kankakee to Orangeburg, Augusta, Greensboro, etc. ("She will follow him... follow him wherever he may go....")
With cutouts of Chuck's face, the Sisters danced a beautifully choreographed routine while noting the different places Chuck's employers have taken them. (There are quite a few!)
"I love you, I love you, I love you, and where you go I'll follow, I'll follow, I'll follow."

Needless to say, the Sisters' Act was a blockbuster!

Celebrating 160 Years

I know... it's confusing... who on earth could possibly live to celebrate 160 years? Well, here's the thing. Over the 4th of July weekend, K and I, along with K's brothers, sister, and in-laws, threw a party for his parents. You see, this year, they both celebrated 60th birthdays, and they will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in August. So, we threw all that together (60+60+40 = 160) to celebrate 160 years. Almost 200 of their closest family and friends attended the weekend celebration, many of whom traveled from our home state of Illinois. We spent Thursday and Friday reuniting, either on the golf course, at the pool, or at the nearest local establishment that could hold (and tolerate) all of us, and then the big celebration was held on Saturday.

Basically, two extended families, the Cassidys (Illinoisians.. is that what you call them?...turned Southerners, and the Nugents (Illinoisians who will forever remain Illinoisians), as well as many close friends from Illinois who may as well be family, try to get together once a year. This year, the reunion was held on our home turf with this special occasion. Whenever these two families get together, the time absolutely flies by. There's so much to say and do and so little time. What amazes me each time we are all together is how much we all truly enjoy being with each other. (If you knew this group, that would amaze you, too!) As one who married into this crew, I am proud to say that some of my best friends are a part of this group, and I am truly blessed to be a part of such an amazing family.

Here are a few pics from the weekend.

The Cassidy family all wore t-shirts at the celebration. What you cannot see in this picture are the numbers on the back of each shirt. Chuck and Karen are both 00. K is #2, I am #6, M is #15, and C is the youngest of the family thus far at #24.

One of the honorees with her brother, Tony (Father Tony). Keeping with Cassidy Irish Catholic tradition, Tony held Mass for all of us before the big celebration. He always does such an incredible job at keeping it all in perspective for us.

The other honoree, along with K's namesake and Karen's twin brother.

The party was held at an old polo field, so the kids had a ball. Here, M and the girls were collecting grasshoppers and crickets and any other multiple legged creatures they could find. The boys used the field for wiffle ball, tag, and a mean game of Bean Bag Toss.

The evening concluded with a DJ playing "the best dance music ever!" (Hannah, Age 8) Even C made it to the dance floor. Here, his cousin Aubrey is teaching him the Chicken Dance. He may never be the same.

For those who were there, I'm sure you're wondering where The Sisters Act and Farmin' Family pictures are. I believe those deserve a post of their own, so they will come later.

Lakin' It...

As stated in my previous post, a few weeks ago we were able to enjoy some time at the lake with some friends.

(In Sath Care-lina, whayre we cayan tawk lak theeis.)

Here are a few pictures from our short, but enjoyable weekend.

Meghan and Allison hitting the waves...

Meghan... always the daring one...

Meghan and Allison check out the wake...

The night was capped off with s'mores by the firepit. K knows how to roast the marshmallows just right!

Good times and good fun!

P.S. For the Illinois crowd who keeps up with my blog.... I'm working on condensing the 500 plus pictures from the 4th of July weekend down to a sane number that I will post soon. Stay tuned!