ALL YEAR LONG our family looks forward to this…
COUSIN-PALOOZA 2015!!!
Made awesome by these 4 fabulous Little Philadelphians…
We heart them.
And their parents too!
(Uncle Joe was there in spirit.)
(Brief Pause For a Moment of Self-Lauding: For it was the parents
who did the work that MADE POSSIBLE the whole crazy venture.
Yeah, parents are all just so super.)
Okay, back to the heart-ing stuff.
Our annual summer tradition with this boisterous group is to meet at Nena and Pops’ house in Annapolis for a week of family hysteria.
I mean fun.
And hysteria.
Since the mixing of 7 spirited kids under the age of 11 in one house creates a concoction that’s highly dynamic and combustible, we filled our days with as much activity as possible.
Including beach time…
Treasure hunts…
(FULL DISCLOSURE: Nena will not, I repeat, will not ever be able to survive as a pirate. Despite burying her loot with an “X” marked on top AND having Caleb draw a map, Nena and her troop of Lil Marauders were never able to locate her treasure. It lays buried, still, along the banks of the Chesapeake…just waiting to be discovered.)
(The Little Mister’s face says it all…)
Where was I?
Oh right. Hysteria. Combustion. ENERGY BURN.
Otherwise known as…
Grand performances!
(Including Ellie and Cousin Alex. We heart them too!)
(There were roaring ovations, of course, even for those with a “widdle bit” of stage-fright.)
And finally…Birthday Celebrations!
The cake was created by Chef Haley.
Food always tastes so much better when someone else makes it!
And Miss Emily took the best care of my silly babies.
Cousins are the BEST.
After we bid them adieu, and they headed back to the land of
Benjamin Franklin and the Liberty Bell,
Daddy arrived!
(I swear the Little Sir wears clothing. Just maybe not in Annapolis…
Or when it’s hot outside…Or on any day between Monday and Sunday.
Or…
Oh whatever. The kid’s a free spirit.)
AND we were able to have a super fun visit with our old DC buddies,
the McSwiggans!
(So technically this just shows 2/3 of the Lil McSwiggans and 1/3 of the Lil Wrights, as all male members of the family duo were napping. In the words of my favorite Preschool Teacher, “you get whatcha get.”)
It’s just so wild to think those sweet Little People came from this crew!
(Pardon the blurry photo…I was too lazy to find the digital file.)
Sigh.
Summer trips are so great. Especially when cousins and grandmas and friends are involved.
Relaxing? Nope.
Fun? They sure ARRRR MATEY!!!
(Sorry. I couldn’t help myself).
Wow – brought back so many happy memories of those wild and crazy days! A big heart-out to you for capturing it so cleverly, and to all our beloved family!!!
And we haven’t changed one bit haha!!!
So much fun getting family together. Sweet sweet cousin memories being made!! So happy that we were able to steal time with you guys. We had a blast! Love you guys soooooooooooo much! Cant wait to get the two good lookin couple back together sooooooon!!
What an adorable post (Photos). The verbiage is so, so creative! I always look forward to reading your Family blog. Despite the craziness (Hysteria?) for the parents (and grandparents,) you have created lifelong memories for your children/cousins and friends. Now, if you only survive the pirate attacks at the beach, all will be well.
Much ❤️,
Martha and Jeff