Beach Week

Because the world spins on its axis and calendars aren't evenly divided, our regular week at the beach slipped this year, which meant we were unable to rent Pelican Perch in Duck, NC. Enter Pelican's Nest in Pine Island, NC – which featured amazing beach and sound views, and a nicer (read less crowded) beach, but didn't necessarily have the best outdoor dining or sleeping options. 

But we are a flexible crew and managed to make do. Katherine seized on the change in scenery to propose rule changes for the Pelican Prize – including the introduction of negative points for individuals that failed to get a two mile walk in per day (runs don't count) and points earned for such tasks as killing flies. By mid-week there was a mutiny and a point compromise as well as a decision that future trips will include a pre-departure summit where rules and points will be determined in advance through a more democratic practice.

Despite the controversy, we had an amazing time. While the weather was cooler than previous years (the high of the week was 82 degrees) and the forecast routinely called for bouts of rain (which miraculously didn't really materialize), we pretty much managed to get in beach time every day (some of us more than others).  There was surfing, body boarding, skim boarding (which was mandated after Katherine sacrificed most of the skin on her ring finger to pack them), bocci, ladderball, kite-flying, and lots and lots of walks (though primarily during the day because night crabs are terrifying). Land activities included golf (once Katherine made it to the correct course...), dinners out, dinner's in, the occasional bike ride, marbles, cornhole, debunking of the "Lost Colony" tale, yoga, lots of puzzling, pool, and scouting of potential new houses for next year.

In the end, Nora won the Pelican Prize for the second year in a row (though they weren't thrilled to receive said award at 8 am). And despite a long drive home (that even included a college tour of William & Mary) we were still able to make it back in time to celebrate Owen's 16th birthday with some pizza and Doctor Who (followed by a family dinner the next night).

(To see all the beach week pictures, click here.)

Sixteen Candles

If fourteen was trying, fifteen was amazing -- apparently, in-person Owen is a lot more outgoing and responsible than remote-schooled Owen. Work was completed independently and on time. Classes were participated in. Friends were made. Outings were organized. Things were done.

Owen went from being anxious about public transit, to navigating his way across the DMV area in order to meet up with friends, attend climbing class and join the occasional protest. He had an Instagram fan account devoted to him (until said account was hacked and deactivated). He volunteered for homeless coat and supply giveaways. He made second chair and Honor Roll. He projected bouldering goals. He breached a fortification. He got a mild case of COVID and recovered. He took the PSAT. He became an ally and advocate. He ate fish and chips. He wore fancy pants and even fancier coats.

And while we're really proud of all of these accomplishments (ok, getting COVID isn't so much an accomplishment as a diagnosis, but he conquered it nonetheless), what we admire most about Owen is the person he's become. Owen is an incredible friend and brother who meets people where they are and becomes the friend they need, without ego or agenda. He knows when to engage and entertain, but he also knows when people need space. Owen offers support and advice, and he always provides a safe place for the people he loves. And he did that for a lot of people this year that really needed it.

So yeah, fifteen was pretty amazing, and hopefully sixteen will be even better. Happy birthday, little man. You're an incredible person and we love you so, so much. Now go conquer the world.

1. The Doctor is in.
2. Sometime you have to overthrow a tyrant to make the world a better place...even if said tyrant is your aunt and the world is our annual beach competition.
3. My axe is restless in my hand. Give me a row of orc-necks and room to swing and all weariness will fall from me.
4. "That's illegal."
5. Wait for me, I'm coming.
6. The line between madness and genius gets blurry when you're skiing with your dad.
7.  Despite what you may think, nuclear reactors should not be the basis of selecting an institute of higher learning… though it can be a contributing factor.
8. And we talk and take in the view. We just talk and take in the view. All we see is sky for forever.
9. "Nostalgia is my favorite part of baseball."
10. And in the immortal words of the 12th Doctor, Hate is always foolish, love is always wise. Always try to be nice, but never fail to be kind.

Unconditional Pete

We haven't made West Branch's Hoover Hometown Days since 2010, as historically it has conflicted with our beach trip and after attending a Hootenanny and a Corn Fest, there's only so much Iowa celebrations we can handle. But this year, Uncle Pete was slated to present his one-act play about President Grant, Unconditional Surrender. at the festival, so we moved some stuff around in order to stay a few extra days. It meant that we got to see Steve, Olivia and Maura and snag front row seat for a very hot performance (both in the literal and figurative sense – it was a balmy 95 at the stage).

And it was totally worth it.

(To see all the pictures, click here.)

Corn Fest 2022

Last year we missed the Fawcett's annual celebration of sweet corn due to our regularly scheduled beach trip which had migrated from allowing a week in-between Iowa and North Carolina to not (stupid Gregorian calendar). Faced with a similar conflict this year, we decided to just rent a different house on a later date in order to allow our attendance and opening the door for Allen's reclaiming the corn-eating title that had since passed to Allen's cousin/nemesis Thomas.

It was kind of a magical corn fest: the weather was perfect; the wildflowers were at their peak; they added a second swing; additional safety features were installed at the zip line, making it "mom approved" for the under-18 crowd; all eight of the original Fawcett cousins (Martha, John, Nan, Dick, Ken, Jim, Margie and Becky) were in attendance; and for the first time in a long time, the celebration aligned with the Fawcett sweet corn harvest, meaning that only Fawcett corn was on the menu this year. The only thing that kept it from being perfect was that one of Thomas's crew tested positive for COVID shortly after arriving resulting in their departure prior to the days events (though, that did break the competition wide open...).

Allen won the corn-eating contest. Owen opted not to compete since he's have to go against his father, but did manage to eat 10 ears of corn (albeit at a far more leisurely pace). Dad successfully defended his title as the oldest person to jump off the high dive and may also have achieved divinity. Nora invented a new approach to making s'mores. And for the first time ever, we all (including the kids) got to be part of the sweet corn production team.

It made for a pretty magical weekend – and we still have another one to go!

(To see all of the sweet-corn pictures, click here.)