Another highlight of our annual trip south is time with siblings and cousins. Robert and I each have sisters with three kids, so it is always a fun and entertaining time to be together. (I have other siblings with no kids, so we hope that even more cousins will be coming someday soon…hint…hint.)

We spent a wonderful evening with Robert’s sister and brother-in-law at their home in San Antonio. Kayla and Anna made gluten free chocolate chip cookies together for dessert. Anna is a beautiful and vibrant 6th grader. And she’s also managed to become an accomplished actress over the years, recently finishing a role as Morgan Le Fay.

We enjoyed a DELICIOUS steak dinner compliments of brother-in-law, Drew, complete with baked potatoes, crisp-tender broccoli :), brownies, and cookies. Kane is sitting next to Kory and is an all-around great student and athlete. He plays football and baseball, and wins everyone over with his sweet spirit and charming smile.

Leah is the middle child in the family; full of life and joy, dancing and singing. We all enjoyed listening to her practice her newly acquired skill…..READING! She read Kory the story of the Princess and the Frog, and I was privileged to hear an originally written and illustrated story of hers about a haunted house. Her ability to read is such a blessing and accomplishment. Who knows what this gal will be doing next?!

Madeline is my sister’s youngest. She is also an actress, choir member, and dedicated fashionista: “a person devoted to fashion clothing, particularly high or unique fashion.” I would say she tends toward “unique” and not necessarily “high.” I mean, anyone can do “high,” but it takes a real eye for “unique,” and Madeline has it. Never without a beret of some sort, we are all so drawn to her whimsy and……well, goofiness. But, no one is more drawn than Kayla, who plans her day around a 4pm phone date with her beloved cousin. Their main topic of discussion: “What did you eat for lunch today?” Deep stuff.

And as my sister like to say, these two guys are “brothers from another mother” except that their mothers are actually sisters, so then where does that leave them, except eerily similar! Guitar lovin’, long hair growin’, Lego buildin’, silly livin’…these two are quite the pair. You should hear their “British Band” accents. Oh. My. (Jonah also plays bass and saxaphone….watch out!)

And here Maisie gets in on the marshmallow-roasting-girl-cousin-fellowship. (The boys were glued to Grandad’s Playstation!) What would we do without Maisie? She is our conscientious student, first chair clarinet player, responsible, mature, giggly, thoughtful, gentle, dependable, lover of horses and ponytails…Maisie!

What a blessing to see ALL the cousins last month! We miss you guys!