Cousins, here and gone

CousinFest 2013 is over. How can that be? Our kids and their kiddos were here in various combinations from Monday (23rd) until today. Lots of fun, hugs, kisses, noise, playing, reading, sledding, technology use, puzzles, games, singing, dancing, superhero fun, eating, sleeping (adults taking naps whenever possible), 'toonie watching, playing "baby" and "puppies" and school, snowman building.... and more and more and more. 

For the last several cousin reunions I've posted multiple blog entries, sometimes arranged thematically, sometimes chronologically, other times randomly. As I looked through the mess-o-photos (over 600 this time!), I decided I'd put together photo books via Snapfish for each family instead. Annie did that a couple of years ago, and I've done it once, too. This will be the only blog entry to celebrate CousinFest 2013, and finish off my blog for this year. I'll print a blog book again, in case blogger.com disappears into the depths of cyberspace some day. 

CousinFest 2013

 There were elves everywhere, all week long.

Crazy cousins listened to stories galore.

 Moms and dads and grandparents and kids filled every nook and cranny.

Chilly children used great teamwork to build a happy snowman. This guy's most unique feature is a mouth made out of celery. Try to sing that line to the tune of "Frosty the Snowman"!

The Grimmius family grinned for a photo or two or ten.

 

The Dellons revved up the snow blower to rid the driveway of snow

The Potts four took a quick break from playing in the snow for a family photo.

The Superhero HGE theme was a super success, thanks to Annie. There were superhero tee-shirts and undies for the kiddos, superhero socks in abundance for the adults, and superhero-themed gifts for the HGE. The tree was decorated with superhero logo decorations.

Six superheroes were on duty throughout the week to keep the planet safe, for which we are grateful. Any resemblance between Batman, Captain America, The Flash, Superman, Wonder Woman, and/or Super Girl to the elves in an earlier photo is purely coincidental.

The handprint collection is in its third year. Everyone has grown, so it won't be long before the handprints begin to overlap!

Dad/Larry/Grandpappy and I had a great week of family fun with Elisabeth, Evan, Charlie, Angie, Annie, Tanner, Hannah, Miles, Ethan, Owen, Weston, and Vivian. We love you all more than you want to hear, and we appreciate that you will sacrifice your time to be with the old folks and with each other several times a year. As usual when you all leave, it's far too quiet here!

Get your earplugs ready...

...because it won't be long 'til these six are under one roof. Ours! The Countdown to CousinFest 2013 has begun!

Friday the 13th

I didn't realize it's Friday the 13th until I looked at the calendar a few minutes ago. Not much of a believer in good luck or bad luck based on numbers and such, I won't connect our morning to luck of any kind. Just home ownership.

Any of you who've read the bathroom saga might want to stop here. It's not over.  The good news is that the mirror is being re-framed with a non-flawed frame today, and I should have it on Monday. The not as good news is that a plumber named Jesse, who we just met this morning, did this about five minutes after showing up. Sorry it's blurry. I was still shaking from the sound of the saw cutting through the plaster wall.

This is the corner of Larry/Dad/Grandpappy's bedroom closet.  There will likely be a matching opening in the wall on the right. That's two bathrooms out of three that have cracked pipes that are leaking....into the ceiling of the third bathroom, in the basement.  

The maybe good news is that Jesse the plumber, who replaced George the plumber (don't ask) probably won't have to cut into the new tile in the just-remodeled bathroom. 

I see more good news/bad news scenarios on the horizon. There will be more to report on Tuesday, when Jesse the plumber returns with more saws, blow torches, machetes, and Howitzers. Today I wrapped Christmas presents while the saw was buzzing. Tuesday I'll be baking cookies with Valium in them.

Superhero holidays, anyone?

Annie took on the responsibility of being the Holiday Gift Exchange Coordinator for 2013 (HGEC). It can be an easy job or a stressful one. It's especially stressful if any of the Gifters are thematically challenged like I am. As of this moment, I am close to knowing what my Giftee's gift(s) will be, provided I can locate what I have in mind. Enough about my shortcomings. 

The theme this year is Superheroes. If you're not a family member or if you haven't seen Annie's instructions for the HGE, you'll want to read her HGE 2013 blog entry for the entertainment value. It will be worth your time.

A recent addition to the HGE is tree decorations that fit the theme. The decorations really are for the six cousins, but oddly enough, the HGE is only for the adults (although I did hear a rumor that the cousins may be involved in some way this year, too). Last year's theme was Happy Holidays on the Farm. By now you've figured out that these are fantasy themes, as we have no known farmers or superheroes in our immediate family. 

I spent a part of the afternoon hole-punching and adding string to the superhero logos, which are ready to go up on the tree--a set for each Super Cousin that includes Batman, Spiderman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Captain America, and Superman.

Potts-Dellon-Grimmius adults, get busy and find your HGE Giftee a SUPER gift! I can't wait!

One more birthday to celebrate!

 Wishing a very Happy Birthday to our baby girl, who is a pair of 3's today!

Here is Annie at age 2 days, drinking glucose water with Dad/Larry (before he was Grandpappy)

Here she is at age 5, playing in the park with Dad/Larry.

Here's Annie last week, in her old office, a few days before starting her new position as Director of Quality Improvement at SCHA. And look who just happened to be there again!

We love you, Annie. Happy 33rd Birthday, and congratulations on your promotion!