We had a great weekend at Westport for the 4th. This year is the 50th anniversary of the Lee Trust, so there was extra effort put in by a number of people to give family members a chance to connect and experience the property in fun and traditional ways. Bekah and I took the kids on Molly Hale's nature hike through the woods from Betsy's Apron to Halfway Point (where I'd never actually been!) and the older cousins on the hike (Lilly, Bic, Anne, Robert) were really good sports about having our crazy little crew along. There was a good turnout at the family meeting (my favorite part was Chris Joliffe's promise to put dad's treasurer's report to music!;), and at the Big House cookout that night, which included toasts by Mary and Matt Hale, readings of old letters and guest book entries by various people, and music by Chris. Our kids were up way past bedtime and fading as we wait for the music part of the evening, so I asked Chris if he could play some for them. I treasure those moments of holding my kids while they listened enraptured to "Gonna Life on Perch" and "Gone to See my Rose" and then watching their eyes light up as everyone sang "goodnight ladies" as we left to put them to bed. Such sweet memories and a reminder of what an amazing gift that place is. The next morning, cousin Dave hosted a big perch breakfast at the Big House. Yum.
Steve cooking fish balls after the meeting! Who knew everyone but the Bob Ware family crushes theirs with a fork to eat instead of dipping?
so hard to leave on a hot sunny day!
