Cousins on a couch

This will be the last entry documenting the May 2012 cousin gathering. I have lots and lots more photos, but I am counting on other family members who have blogs and/or online photo albums to offer their perspectives, too!

As has been the custom since Ethan and Owen were babies, the adults force the cousins to sit together on a couch in the sun room and pose for a group shot whenever all of them visit us. Finding the right time when all six are in the mood to cooperate is a challenge! Some photo shoots have involved up to 50 camera clicks to get even ONE  picture in which each cute little face can be seen. Never mind trying to get everyone to smile, or a photo with no tears, no fingers or pacifiers in mouths, and no crazy faces. We gave up on that a long time ago!

What we've discovered is that no matter in what direction(s) the kids are looking, no matter how much their facial expressions differ because some cousins are cheerful and want to be photographed while others prefer to scream, cry, and try to run away, every picture is a great picture because the kids are just so dang cute. See what I mean?

Owen (3), Vivi (1.5), Hannah (almost 5), Ira (honrary cousin--almost 5), 
Miles (4.5), Westy (1.5), and Ethan (3)

Little House on Church Street

Whenever all the cousins are together, they like to spend time at the "blue park", as Ethan and Owen refer to it. It's not really a park, but rather some (blue) playground equipment on the First Lutheran Church property, across the street and up the hill from our house. 

On Sunday afternoon after naps, all six cousins and the four parents in attendance this weekend played at the blue park. Dad/Larry/Paco and I stayed behind to work on supper. When he saw the group making its way down the hill, he got out his camera to take what he refers to as Little House on the Prairie shots... if you ever watched Little House on television, you can probably hum the theme music and picture the Ingalls girls running down the hill through the tall grass. If you can't remember it, click HERE and be reminded. The only difference is that the church keeps the grass cut short!

And here they are, the Ingalls family, home again!

Squirts squirting

The cousins played with water squirters to cool off on a hot day. 

Here they are, loading up.

 

Miles is a fierce water-squirter operator.

Owen takes this squirting business seriously!

Vivi patiently waits her turn.

A bunch of little squirts get ready to squirt each other.

Hannah shows her spray-power.

Elisabeth is pursued by two squirts.

Annie tries to escape her pursuers.

Some of the cousins decide to run laps.

More cousins join in.

"Hey, wait for me!"

Cousin capers

Hannah, Vivi, and Elisabeth arrived in MN on Friday morning. After a trip to IKEA and bagels at Einstein's, we headed to St. Peter. Hannah and Vivi took naps to recover from jet-lag. When Miles, Westy, and Annie showed up, Miles had the fun of waking up his cousin.

Not long after, Ethan and Owen arrived.  They tracked down 

their older cousins, who were were disguised as  polka dots.

So what do cousins do when they get together? Have snacks, 

of course! Food is ALWAYS first with this group.

 

 But let's not forget the dance party! It looks like Owen, 

Westy, and Ethan were doing "The Monster Mash"!

The cousins experienced a rare attack of "tortilla madness", 

as captured in this dinnertime photo taken by Auntie Elisabeth.

Some of them went for a stroller ride together. Westy, either you need to 

work on your conversational skills or Vivi needs to catch up on her sleep!

Others expressed a difference of opinion. Ethan took 

a serious approach-- Owen obviously had another idea.

 

Some cousins happened to be in the right place in the right light 

at the right time with just the right smiles. Elisabeth? Annie? 

I'm not sure who took this, but you need to take credit.

 

We missed Evan and Tanner this weekend. We're guessing they 

enjoyed quiet dinner conversations and restful nights of sleep. 

But they missed out on a lot of cuteness and fun!

Main characters

...and I DO mean CHARACTERS!!

Westy

Vivi

Owen

Ethan

Miles

Hannah

Preview of coming attractions

This is not the inside of my clothes dryer....

...but it could have been, 24 hours ago.