Summer Lovin'

When a person graduates high school and goes off to college, the term “Freshman Fifteen” is often used to identify the weight they may have put on that first year away. I have been trying to coin a term for the weight an expat might gain when going back “home” for summer holiday. I never was clever enough to come up with a slogan, but it sure happened! It seemed EVERY DAY was a celebration! “Cheers” to family, “Cheers” to good friends, “Cheers” to birthdays, “Cheers” to fun times and beautiful sunsets…EVERYDAY!!! I may be a little thicker around the middle, but my heart grew a little thicker with love. Every moment was great; every moment was full.

 

The children were fresh off the plane, jumping on to ride with Aunt Kristy and Pawpaw!

 

 

From four wheeling to golf...

...to tubing on Lake Hartwell!

 

Time to get serious with the cousins at Papa's basketball camp!

 

AAAHHH...there is always time for a sunset!

 

From one beautiful view to the next!

 

So glad to have Tony with us for this part of our vacation!

 

 

 

 

Cousins' Night Out has become our tradition.

Maybe one day these crazies will carry it on!

 

 

We left one side of the panhandle for the other to be with Tony's family.

 

 

 

 

"Hole in the Wall" in Apalachicola has become a Rutland family tradition!

 

We left Florida for Alabama to watch Dad's band sing at the WC Handy festival...

 

...with awesome views.

 

Here is his band in front of the same studio where they recorded "Laugh It Off" 50 years earlier. It was in this studio that Dad played the tambourine for Etta James in the song "Tell Mama".

 

While there, we also toured the home of Helen Keller. Growing up in Alabama, she was a big part of my history lessons in school. I thought this stop on our "tour" was quite cool!

 

Another of our tours took us to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. The building was built around this bus that belonged to the music group "Alabama".

 

The children were impressed, but found it a bit smelly.

 

 

 

 

Our tours led us to Birmingham where Dad and one of his former players, Daymeon Fishback, held a camp for underprivileged children. Hannah Grace was excited to help coach!

 

Dad coached Daymeon at Auburn and his dad, Charles, at Cumberland College.

 

A trip home wouldn't be the same without visits with great friends:

 

One of the best friends a girl could ask for in her life! I adore her!

 

I met Catherine when we taught together at Skyland Elementary 19 years ago! I love that I still get to see her and so happy she has made her way back to Clemson!

Friends since they were five!

 

Love and laughter with this crew!

 

Sweet Micah turned one this summer!

Micah with Uncle Clay at his first birthday party.

 

So awesome that Tony's sister lives in the same town and could be there to celebrate with us!

Grammy worked hard preparing the feast!

 

Goodbye's and See-ya-later's are never easy. Here is the silhouette of Hannah Grace and Dad as she sobs into his shoulder. Gets me every time.

 

 

Just like that, summer came to an end and we got back into our routine!

 

 And we continue to say "Cheers"!