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Sunday, August 23, 2015

What to do when it rains, Cousins part 5

On Tuesday, we were down to four remaining cousins. It poured rain all day, making any attempt to swim or play in various parks impossible. Running through the sprinkler seemed redundant. So the cousins, available parents, and Gpappy went to the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota. It was the first trip there for these cousins, but Miles and Westy visited a few weeks ago, giving it a thumbs-up.

Farmer Ethan has a good crop this year.

Looks like Vivi is cooking a big batch of soup for supper

with produce from Ethan's garden.

Because I wasn't at the museum, I'm not sure what's happening here, but it looks fascinating. I think Hannah and Owen are getting ready to climb into the Tree of Forts.

The Kasota stone quarry is a popular place, but it appears the owners are in violation of child labor laws.

It wasn't all work and no play for the cousins.

Looks like there was a hoe-down at the farm!

I think the chickens got loose.

What a fun place to go on a rainy day!

The sporting life, Cousins, part 4

The cousins were into their usual assortment of activities -- playing "baby" and "puppies" dance parties, reading, video-watching, and whatever outdoor activities they could fit in between rain showers. They all like to play Wii games, too, but I only shots of Owen and Westy bowling. Westy managed to become a star bowler under Owen's capable instruction.

There was some football action in the front yard one afternoon. The field was pretty wet and the players didn't have their helmets and pads with them, so they had a light practice.

There was some artificial gruffness and scowling on the sidelines to add authenticity to the event.

The cousins had fun with flying frisbee rings this visit.

Vivi worked hard to get the hang of it, and soon she was flying like a pro!

Thank goodness for the big First Lutheran Church yard across the street, where the open space mostly prevents the rings from landing on rooftops or in trees.

"Mostly" is the operative word. Charlie came to the rescue to retrieve a ring that went on the roof of our house. It may or may not have been used in a football game to fool the opposing team.

Then it was Angie's turn to play monkey and scramble up a tree when a ring sailed high and got stuck. Several volunteers threw footballs at the ring in an attempt to free it.

Eventually it was knocked loose and came back to earth.

Ethan is the owner of the errant ring, which he wears proudly,

waiting for its next adventure!

Friday, August 21, 2015

Slip-slidin' away, Cousins part 3

A typical request from the cousins, whether here in twos, fours, or sixes, is to go to the blue park just up the hill from our house.

Get ready... get set...

GO!!!

Moms/aunties in a serious discussion. Maybe.

Viv, walking the Great Wall.

Ethan, working on the playground construction site.

Weston, construction site manager, telling me where

to stand to avoid injury from falling debris.

*******

For whatever reason, the kiddos have never gone in a cousin herd to the McGill park playground until this visit. It's a good thing they all traveled in a group. The naked guy who lives in the woods is less likely to appear when there are so many people going through at once.

Vivi tried several approaches to the huge slide. Here's #1...

#2...

And #3. Aaaaah! This is the best!

Miles slides so fast he turns into a blur.

Owen puts a bit of spin on his ride.

Can't tell if Ethan is being contemplative or if he's annoyed!

It's Hannah's turn.

Westy's wild ride!

Angie's unique slide form!

These five sliders are lookin' good.

Here's trouble for sure!

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Water fun, Cousins part 2, and Evan's birthday

Minnesota weather is rarely predictable, and often inconvenient. While the cousins were together, about half the days were hot and humid North Carolina days, and the other half were nothing short of a monsoon. On the hottest day, the St. Peter pool was the cousins' destination.

Miles and Hannah