Rochester NY for Walter Letteer's Funeral (July 25-28th)

Well David and I have now hit the east coast, mountains and heart of NY (central part), and western border of NY all in one months time. We headed to Rochester, NY for his grandfather's funeral. As we have either been on the road as a family with vacations, or the boys have been at camp. David and I made this trip without the kids; whom we left with my parents. Jared and Xander even requested to stay at home, especially Jared who had just got home from camp less than 24 hours before David and I were leaving.

David's grandfather, Walter Letteer, Jr. was 92 yrs old when he passed away. He had served in the Army during WWII and was also a POW after being captured in Italy. Walter had spent the last 15-20 yrs living in Blacksburg, SC. He was buried next to his wife and parents in White Haven memorial Park and was honored with a military funeral and 21 gun salute. American Legion Color Guard

This was the first time in many years that all 5 of Walter's children were together. David and I visited with his aunts and uncles; some which he hadn't seen in over 15 years (and I hadn't ever met).

Donald, Darryl, Dorinda, David Sr., and Dale Letteer

Despite the sad reason for all being together we made the best of it. David and I took a few short 'detours' and trips on the way to Rochester and while we were there; while other family was still traveling to Rochester. We stopped along Lake Erie, went to Niagara Falls for a few hours (the Canadian side- as I threw in our passports just in case), and spent time touring parts of Rochester that I hadn't seen and David hadn't seen since he was 3. We also visited David's maternal aunt, Susan (who also lives in Rochester and Dave and Paulette stayed with) and his cousin Joe's family. We walked along the beach and Pier at Lake Ontario Beach Park in Rochester, as well as enjoyed the beautiful low 80 degree weather (while it was 102 in Charlotte). After the funeral we spent the afternoon with David's Uncle Dale and his wife Rhonda, Aunt Dorinda, and his cousins, Clarissa and Jeff; walking along the beach and then all of us adults rode a carousel that was over 100 yrs old; that his aunt and uncle used to ride as kids with their dad.

David and I at Lake Erie

David and I in Niagara Falls, Canada


Niagara Falls, Canada


Paulette and Susan (David's mom and aunt)

Jeff, Dorinda, and Clarissa (David's cousins and aunt)
Dale and Rhonda Letteer (David's uncle and aunt)
Dale on the carousel

Jared's Boy Scout Camp

Jared spent a week at Boy Scout Camp this summer. He left on July 18th and returned on July 24th. His troop went to Camp Powatan in the Virginia mountains. Jared participated in class called the Brown Sea, which prepares younger Boy Scouts for years to come. He camped out, cooked, out, swam, widdled on sticks, hiked, fished and many other activities. Jared told us that there were Brown Bears spotted in the camp site and the leaders confirmed this.

On Friday; Xander, Sara, mom, and I traveled to the camp for his 'graduation' from the Brown Sea program. David was unable to attend because of work and family matters (see next post). While we were there, Sara and Xander enjoyed looking at the snakes, rabbits, birds, etc, that were in the science pavilion; and then petting the camps goat that was "watching" over the infirmary.

(The day Jared left we picked Xander up from camp 2 hours later- next year they'll both be gone the same days)

Walter M. Letteer, Jr

David's grandfather, Walter M. Letteer, Jr. passed away on this day at a hospital in Gaffney, SC. Walter was an Army Veteran of WWII and a POW/MIA. He is survived by 4 sons, 1 daughter, 4 daughter-in-laws, 10 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. The funeral and burial will be in his hometown of Rochester, NY.

Discovery Place

Today Jared, Sara and I headed to Discovery Place with my mom, Kelly, and Ella. It was a fun time. The girls had a great time place in the preschool section; at the water table, science area, and music area. They all enjoyed looking at the aquariums.

The museum pass that we purchased at the beginning of the summer has come in very handy this summer. One price for over 200 museums throughout the world.

Xander goes to Webelos Resident Camp

Xander and his cub scout troop headed off to 3 days of residents camp at Camp Belk; a Boy Scout Camp at the corner of Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and Union Counties. I dropped Xander and Jamie (one of the other boys) off to meet the rest of the troop for 4 fun filled days in some very hot weather doing all things boys like to do. They camped out, swam, archery, and etc. Xander had a great time and is already ready for next years week long camp. Hopefully, next year he will shower. David said its very typical for the boys not to shower but I have other hopes!

Cortland NY and Cooperstown (June 30-July 3rd)

Well our 3rd stop on our tour of NY state was to Cortland, NY. This is where my part of my heart lives; my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins.... We try to make an annual trip to visit and spend time in the refreshing cooler weather. To our surprise when we pulled into my grandfather's drive way my sister, brother-in-law, and Ella were hanging out with Fafa. Apparently, this little surprise for my mom and me had been planned with the help of my grandfather, aunt, David and my dad.

We spent three days spending time with family, having picnics, watching the kids run around the yard and chase the rabbits, talking, laughing and just having some great family time. We also celebrated Sara's 2nd birthday.

On Friday; David, Jared, Xander, my dad, Scott and Kelly took a day trip to Cooperstown to visit the baseball hall of fame. Mom, Sara, Ella, and I stayed back to spend time with family and for the girls to get a good nap; which had been had to come by that week with so much travel.

Oh, how I miss being with family and cherish the time we have with them.