Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Cousin Bonding Time

A couple weeks ago, Ben had a work trip to Germany for SEVEN whole nights. Yuck. What’s a mama of three small boys to do? First, I had grand plans of a road trip to Lakeview for a few nights, and then to Medford for the rest of week. But I chickened out. I was too intimidated by the six hours in the car with a baby. So my mom graciously came up and helped me for the first half of the week, and then rode down to Medford with the boys and I, where my dad met us for the evening and next day.

My mom is an artist for the Forest Service and designed some really neat workbooks for kids exploring the Table Rocks. We decided to give them a trial run and do a small hike at the base of the table rocks. The big kids LOVED it and the workbooks were a big hit. (The babies took nap in the Ergo’s, of course.)IMG_6404xIMG_6406x

The kids and grandparents trying to find the BINGO items (flowers, acorns, etc.).

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Seth and a really cool wasp pod they discovered.

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The “big” kids: Clara, Sam, Miriam, Seth, and Aidah

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This picture totally cracks me up because not ONE child is looking at the camera.

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Seth, Aidah, Sam, & Clara

Miriam was SO excited to see Joshua and was determined for him to love her by the end. He was timid at first, but was snuggling with Miriam on the final morning. It was so sweet. Miriam is such a great older sister/cousin and very loving to the babies.

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I love these pictures of Josh and Miriam. I wish I could combine their smiles into one picture!

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Clara was so tickled to have both boys to herself. These are such sweet pictures.

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There was lots of reading together:

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Katie asked me to take some family pictures, as well as some one year old pictures of Edmund, which was a blast. This picture comes from the end of Edmund’s photo shoot and totally cracks me up. “Ah, mom, let me go play,” is what his expression says.

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Little Edmund just turned one and is so loved by everyone—except maybe Josh. Josh tends to be pretty intimidated by other kids his age and would give this look every time Edmund got close to him. It was hilarious!

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We visited a total of four parks during our time in Medford. Here’s our final night. Katie and I really wanted a picture of the two youngest together:

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This is such a precious picture of the five oldest cousins. They love each other so much and it was wonderful to watch them play and bond.

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I saved these final two pictures for last, because they just make me laugh and smile. One of the afternoons, Miriam and Aidah got Seth and Sam to be “daddys” and play house/families with their American Girl dolls. Seth and Sam were quick to oblige and they all spent hours playing house. It was so sweet. Sam was the daddy for Aidah’s doll, and Seth the daddy for Miriam’s. I LOVE the picture of Seth pushing the baby stroller; he has such a serious “dad” expression on his face. Hilarious!

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What a special time of memories with Katie’s family that I will cherish forever! (and I think the cousins will too!!)

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