Family Tradition...

JBB and I have thought a lot about how we want to raise Cookie; what kind of little person and eventual adult we want her to be. It goes without saying we want he or she to be kind, happy, and really, really good-looking. (HA! Just kidding! Zoolander reference.)While I imagine parenthood is one of those "trial by fire" situations that we can't really plan until we are in the trenches, one thing we both really agree on is that we want to build traditions in our family. Something that, as an adult, Cookie will look back on and smile and say, "Every year my family did...fill in the blank."

Fresh from trimming the tree.

I think traditions are so important. They give you a sense of belonging, of continuity, and of roots. Family traditions were a big deal in the Lambert household growing up, and still are today. I love that I have that shared experience with my brother and sister. That, even as adults in our 30's with our own families, we instantly remember all of the words to the Beach Boy's "Little Saint Nick", as the Beach Boys Christmas CD was played every single year while we decorated the Christmas tree. Nothing makes me happier than hearing songs from that CD; I'm immediately taken back to my parent's family room, with our crazy 1970's orange and brown carpet, with the big tree in the bay window by the door leading out to the pool. I can still recall the exact ornaments we hung on the tree - Nate's orange and green construction paper garland, the green bell ornament with a 5 year old Krissi's face displayed front and center, and the clothes pin angel I made during "craft-time" with my Mimi.

One of JBB's favorite traditions growing up was spending weeks in the summertime at his Grandma and Grandpa Blythe's in Edwardsport. I'm pretty sure that if his parents dropped him off there for the whole summer, he would have happily stayed. What little boy wouldn't love a steady diet of his grandma's pancakes, shooting his BB gun in the junkyard, tinkering on cars in his grandpa's garage (and learning how to drive a car at the age of 11!),  catching crawdads by the creek, and getting to stay up late and watch TV while drinking homemade chocolate milkshakes?



Trying on hats at Churchill Downs!

Last summer, JBB and I went to Churchill Downs so I could experience another Blythe family tradition - a day at the track, betting on horses. I loved everything about it, but mainly I loved how much fun JBB had, and being able to share in such a fun part of his history. When he told me I was the only person he'd ever taken because it was so special to him and he didn't want to invite someone only to have them not like it, I melted inside. A lot.

Traditions, at least in my mind, make everything more fun. The anticipation of the drive to Canada is made a little sweeter knowing that we'll be stopping for dinner at Trapper John's on Friday night, sitting on the screened in porch having a great meal after our long drive. The morning after a sleepover was always extra fun because I knew I'd be getting my dad's biscuits & gravy as a special treat. As adults, we've started a few traditions of our own. JBB and I's "thing" with Henry and Maggie is to take them to the movies. Henry told his mom that he loved going to the movies with us, and it made me so happy to share that with him. The last two Labor Day weekends have been spent in Saugatuck, MI with the Miller family, a tradition I hope to keep going for many years! Someone has to keep Kilwin's ice cream shop in business!


The gang on Labor Day weekend.

I'm not sure exactly what traditions we'll make for Cookie and the Blythe family; some, I'm sure we'll carry over from our own childhoods. I can already picture Cookie jumping into the French River as soon as she unpacks her suitcase in Cabin 16, as her Aunt Kiki and I have done for the last 20 years. I hope our kids love going to the horse tracks with their daddy, just as JBB did growing up. I imagine we'll also make traditions of our own...maybe it will be Saturday morning donuts. Or annual pumpkin carving contests with the cousins. Breakfasts at Betty's in Seymour with the grandparents. Memorial Day pool parties at Muggy and Papaw's. I can't wait to see what evolves and what become favorite memories for our family. I do know one thing - Cookie will love the Beach Boys Christmas CD. I will make sure of it.


The whole family on the deck at Lochaven Lodge.

What are some of your favorite traditions from your family growing up, or new ones you've created with your family?