A Perfect Weekend

A few weeks ago we blessed Tyler and visited lots of family!  It really was a perfect weekend. Here are some more photos from that trip.  Sadly, I forgot to take photos of the great family party at Grandma Fern's home.  Grandma Fern and Carolyn and many others pitched in to make it absolutely wonderful. 

 

Grandma Fern, who will be 92 this year and

Tyler, 2 months old.  If I remember right, he is the 37th great grandchild.

We were finally able to have Ben's family come up to my parents home in the mountains.  It was a beautiful day!  My parents made us some yummy food (Dad's homemade Fried Rice) and our visit was short but sweet.

My mom, Marge and Ben's mom, Carolyn.

Here are the cousins watching Josh's soccer game (actually I think they were mostly just eating snacks the whole time). 

Water fun with the cousins!

These two are so stinkin' cute together!  They really enjoy each other.

See what I mean?

Mr. Bigstuff Camden, who doesn't know he is only 18 months old.  So cute!

Cute cousins.

The girly swirlies loving Baby Tyler.

On the way home we stopped at Shoshone Falls.  Quite impressive!  These are called 'The Niagra of the West'.  They drop 50 feet further than Niagra Falls.  Huh...and to think we have passed these amazing waterfalls so many times and never took the time to see them until now. 

8. Friendships Made In Heaven

     One of the things in life that has brought me so much unexpected joy is watching my children play, interact with and love their cousins. It is a simple joy that I never tire from observing.  I guess part of it comes from the fact I never had the opportunity to develop friendships with my cousins.  My sisters and I were always the youngest and lived far away from any of our cousins.  Sadly, I don't even know how many cousins I have and I can only name two of them!  This is not a tradition I wish to carry on.  I am so thankful my children know each of their cousins from both sides of our family.  They can name them all by name.  They worry and think about them.  They miss them.  They include them in their prayers.  They don't want to say good bye to them....these are truly friendships made in heaven.  I LOVE it!  Luke even made up a rule all by himself..."If cousins come over, then I don't want the TV to be on.  ONLY PLAYTIME!"

     For example, at the close of a visit with my sister and her family, we asked Ashlynn to say goodbye to cousin Avery and her brothers.  Ashlynn and Avery both started crying...a lot.  I (being clueless to this particular bond of friendship) kept asking Ashlynn what was wrong.  I asked her if she was hurt.  I asked her if she was fighting over a toy with Avery...and etc.  Finally, Ashlynn blurted out between sobs..."I'm SAD MOM!!!"  I was startled and couldn't believe my 3 year old was crying at the thought of saying goodbye to her cousin.  Ashlynn followed Avery out to the minivan...crying and hugging her all the way.  After their minivan drove away, Ashlynn ran up to her room, buried herself in a blanket, curled up in a ball, and repeatedly told me how sad she was. She didn't want to play or do anything.  The poor girl was needing some chocolate to help the situation!  It was sad, but so adorable.