Our kids love to have house guests, but none have been more anticipated than these…..the Etheredge cousins from Texas! I think they started the countdown way back in January when we left THEIR home in Austin. I was equally excited to be able to spend time with my sister Melissa. We missed you, Melinda! Yes, we are ALL “Mel” and we have a “Stu”, too…..an old minister friend of ours just used to call us “Mel, Mel, Mel, and Stu when we walked in the church doors. 🙂

As soon as they got off the plane and we made the hour long trek back to our house, we had a cookout to celebrate Kory’s 14th birthday. We invited a few other friends to join us as well – so these are not ALL cousins! This is Cody – one of Kory’s good friends and fellow homeschooler.

Cooper provided the campfire music in his effortless style….Journey, Bon Jovi, and Greensleeves! He continues to amaze us with his natural guitar ability. (Cousin Jonah and Cody also got their turns…lots of talent here, folks!)

Next morning we took advantage of living nearly ON TOP of the Norwottuck Rail Trail which is a wonderful bike trail accessible near our house. It conveniently passes behind Whole Foods and Barnes and Noble, so we stopped for gluten free ice cream sandwiches, iced coffee, fraps, and book browsing before heading back home.

On several evenings there were performances by all of the cousins serving as either actors and actresses, writers, stage managers, or directors. The performances were usually held on our trampoline and were like variety shows – short vignettes, skits, music, and poetry – the Alcott family would be proud! They did a wonderfully creative and witty job on each.

The next morning Cooper and Jonah went on their “Quest” hike – a requirement on their list of challenges to complete before turning 13 next spring. They hiked 6 miles from The Notch to the Summit House of the Holyoke Range. It took them about 4 and a half hours. Us moms met them at the top with lunch and taxi service back to the house. Robert and friend JJ were the fearless guides.

Saturday was the 4th and we enjoyed the town parade. Highlight: running into the street to gather as much candy as possible that is thrown from the various police cars, tractors, and firetrucks!

Later, it was volunteering at the carnival before the fireworks and collecting donations for next year’s show. (Our church always provides volunteer staff for this!) Then we all gathered for a picnic dinner and waited for the show, which I think is always very spectacular for a small town, and this year even more so, since we were celebrating our 250th year!

The last few days of our time together as the big HIGHLIGHT as well was……getting to go to Cape Cod for 4 days! We stayed in the wonderful vacation home of some sweet friends which just happens to have a pool! Imagine our daily dilemma: Pool or Beach? Oh well…how ’bout both! We’ll swim in the morning, eat lunch, head to the beach, and then swim some more when we get home. Tough life, I know….
(And pictured above, those sweet friends are treating this entire crew to ice cream! Thanks, Dan and Sarah!)

The beach was wonderful and we actually had SUNSHINE! WE haven’t seen our friend the sun in quite a while here in New England, but it seems that the Texans brought a bit of their heat to share with us and we were VERY grateful!

Not sure why…but Kayla loves to be buried every time we go to the beach. She’s the one with eyes closed near the ground! Kory and Robert didn’t make this trip with us, since Kory had a baseball tournament and Robert was preparing 6 sermons for a youth camp we’d be heading to in a few days.

And then the dreaded day arrived! We had to say goodbye…and it seemed they had JUST arrived. Can’t believe how quickly 10 days passed. Robert and I took them to the airport without our kids, so that we could get a coffee date in on the way home. While sipping our Starbucks I got a tearful phone call from Kayla….”Mommy, I miss them so much already. I feel so sad. Can you come home and snuggle with me? I need a hug.” And then the next day….”How long do you think I will feel sad, Mama?”

What a blessing! To have close relationships with family, to long to be with them, and to grieve when they leave. And to have a sister who is a kindred spirit in many ways. And in the ways we differ in temperament, I learn so much from hers!

We miss you guys, and can’t wait to see you in January!