Another camper flies the Coop. This time it was camper #3, Squid, or as her mother named her... Sydney Elizabeth North. Unlike her older sister Courtney, Sydney never actually lived with us or worked with us - in fact, she went to Camp Mike because she wasn't 10 and Mike had a sweet spot for Sydney.
So Mrs. Adam Ward returned the favor by asking her "real dad" to marry her. This has been a long standing joke among the three of us. She was always going to bring those adoption papers with her to camp, but some how she always seemed to forget them.
This is Sydney and Renee circa 1999. That summer Camp Nancy drove to Colorado and I decided I wanted to put the car on cruise control and see Kansas... talk about your scenery never changing. It was so boring that when I stopped for gas at yet another station at yet another exit in the state that essentially carries the "fly-by" name all by itself... well, I forgot to wait for the girls. Ooops! Quickly in Quinter, Kansas I realized the error of my ways and circled back for them. THEY. CAME. RUNNING. And I must say they were far more attentive for the rest of the trip.
Here they are all grown up. Aren't they gorgeous? I will never forget the first time I met Renee or Nee-Nee as the girls called her. It was first grade and she and Sydney were in gymnastics together. Lee said, "Don't they look alike?" And they did. Nee-Nee was the only camper who was not BLOOD.
Here's how it all started. These are mine and Lee's grandparents. They were famous! They lived in Little Rock close to the Deaf School. They had five boys. My Dad is on the far left and Lee's Dad is on the far right. I won't bore you with stories, though I could FOR.EVER. Just trust me, eleven grandchildren were never so lucky. Sydney is from the 3rd generation and we are well into the 4th. Granny and Pop were about nothing but FAMILY. And that's why they were famous... to those of us who loved them.
You will note the next to the last girl on the row is none other than PRESSING EVENTS own Amber Anglin Fowler and ,yes, she took care of Sydney's wedding invitations. They have been buddies since before they were born. Their Dads roomed together at ACU back in the day.
Here's Lee with Sydney's older sister Courtney and her new little niece and namesake Grace Elizabeth Atwood. Uh-oh, just realized I don't have any photos of Adam. Hang on a minute!!!
Found one! That's Adam with Sydney's biological parents, Mark and Lee. I told Sydney that Adam was the best decision we ever made. I picked out Taylor too. He's married to Courtney and they just had Grace.
Courtney and Jennifer started Camp Nancy in 1994. Jennifer's Dad is Grant, Lee's brother.
And this is GT holding his first grandchild, Jennifer's daughter Waverly Anne. I can't believe my younger cousins have grandchildren, oh my!
I still remember when these two, Lee and Mary Lynn, used to be the age of Sydney and Nee-Nee. Seriously, my whole life is just moving way, way too fast. Before you know it, this little nugget will be falling in love and planning her nuptials. Excuse me, I have to go lie down.
Grace Elizabeth Atwood will no doubt be a Camp Nancy legacy. #GodissoGood
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