Memorial Day

...a family tradition.

Memorial Day in Arkansas.  Decoration is a term I wasn't familiar with until I married Amanda.  Well, at least not as they use it.  Decoration is more like a family reunion at the cemetery.  A family reunion with both those present and those no longer with us.  A day to remember where you came from, who you came from, and ultimately where you're going.  Its about teaching the next generation how to respect the dead by decorating their tombstones, and maybe telling a couple of good stories about them in the process.  

For our kids it's about Uncle Bud and Aunt Mary, the cabin, and running among the trees.  Its about the river.  Learning that youens is a real word.  And smores.  Lots of smores.

Just cause you didn't know em, doesn't mean we can't be thankful for them.  

Steve and I have both become a part of Arkansas...even if it wasn't in our blood to begin with.

You never know who you'll run into at Decoration, but chances are, you're probably related to them.  Above is Doc Blair, who may or may not be related to Wyatt Earp.  He is however a vet and therefore a legend in Kate's eyes.  Being a vet is still the only thing she wants to do.  Well, a trick-riding cowgirl vet who can dance.  True story.  And yes, we are related to Doc Blair...somewhere along the Rose side if my memory serves.

Like I said, you're probably related to everyone in some way.  Below is Kate and Jude's cousin Dutch.  The circle of life story here is that Amanda and Dutch's mom used to play in the same cemetery while they waited for the grown ups to finish talking too.  

Once Decoration and lunch is over, it's finally river time!  Kate and Jude are one with the Buffalo River.

When in the river, I guess you just have to get your Guns Up sometimes.  Both kids.  Separate pictures.  Unrehearsed.  Lubbock is still in the blood.

I'm sure his wasn't the only naked body in the river that weekend.

Spending time with Uncle Bud and Aunt Mary is also on the kids favorite things about Arkansas.  It's probably their favorite part, and Jude is still asking to "go Bud's house?  Pease?"  By the way, that was Kate and Uncle Bud driving that tractor.

They've got some mowing to do.

Kate and Jude could be farmer kids.  If they got to be farmers with Uncle Bud that is.