cousin camp!

What a ball we had with our cousins!

It was days of kiddos loving each other, and truly every minute they were sweet and lovely.  Not one single, solitary grumpy or cross moment!  

There were sleepovers for the girls:

 art time

 and lots and lots of love all around!
This is Audrey and Anna.  BFFs for sure.

 ANd most of the kids, minus Cooper and Jeb.  They were gone to church camp at this point!  Look at Sorin's face!  Isn't he so cute and funny.  And little Ruby down in the front row with her sweet freckles and self-cut bangs.  She is so dear and has the gentlest little personality.  Audrey is a lovely big sister, and is just a wise old soul.  They are wonderful children, and my sister is an incredible mom.  It is so heartwarming to watch my sister executing her calling as a mother with such excellence and diligence.  She is a beautiful mother.

 And just because I clearly am not vain, here is the world's worst picture of me, but a photo that captures perfectly how CUTE, PRETTY, DARLING, FASHIONABLY COOL and YOUNG LOOKING my sister is!  Kirsti, you look so good!

 Our life-long childhood friend, Nikki, and her adorable little girl, Lily, came over to play.  Nikki is due with their second this fall.  And it was oh, so fun to see them both!  I wasn't so sure my sister would give Lily back to Nikki once she got her hot little baby-loving hands on that cute 9 month old babe.

 Oh, here is beauty one and two again!

 And our sweet Emma Kate snuck in to show off her pony tails!  Her hair is finally long enough to pull back, and she is one cute and happy camper.  She has waited so long for this hair do.  That should be a pun.

 "Dad, Ruby and Gabby are my best friends".  Gabby is Emma Kate's friends who attends Chinese immersion school and "talks China" with her.  And Ruby?  Her newest best friend and cousin.

Emma?  She's cried e.v.e.r.y. s.i.n.g.l.e. n.i.g.h.t. since Ruby went home.
Doesn't get any sweeter.

 Luke and Sorin.  They could be brothers!  Look at that blond hair and those almond shaped eyes.

 And the final group hug goodbye.

Oh, man.  We cannot wait to see you all again soon.  It was such a lovely visit.  Thank you for coming all the way east and north to stay with us.  It was a highlight of the summer!

We love you, cousins!