We had an eventful weekend.  It was my Grandma’s 80^th birthday party so we had lots of family in town.  Thursday, Randy and I went up to Grandma’s to see my aunt, cousin, and her daughter.  Randy and I were really close to all of them when we lived in South Carolina.  We miss them so much, but neither is willing to move closer to the other just yet.

Friday night more and more people started making their way to town and out to Grandma’s house.  We had a potluck dinner with tons of food and great conversation. 

And plenty of kids to entertain one another.

Saturday, Randy and I worked hard around the house trying to get a few things done, got cleaned up late afternoon, and headed back up to Grandma’s.  The adults were going out to dinner and all of us cousins were going to order pizza and hang out to watch the KU/UNC game.  The adults got home in time for the game, so it was a packed house for the big game.

My Grandma does a grab bag once a year with things she has collected along the way.  These hats are out of the collection.  My cousin and I ALWAYS have a fun time together.  Humor tends to bounce back and forth off of us and back to the other.  Sometimes others find it funny, sometimes I think they find us annoying, but we have so much fun either way.

Notice the red lip?  I got popped in the face by a three year old that morning. 

Sunday morning was church, family pictures, and lunch with everyone.  Then we all loaded up and headed to the Country Club for Grandma’s birthday.  There were over 100 people there for cake, punch, and conversation.  Other than a pretty strong wind the weather was beautiful for the entire weekend.

Here are my two cousins, Mindie & Ali.  Ali looks a little different without her stylin' hat.

Sunday evening most had headed home.  A few of us rode 3-wheelers, 4-wheelers, and hiked down to a pond on Grandma’s property.  It was so peaceful and the two “city” boys from Georgia enjoyed being able to run and play and explore a whole new world.

Monday was a dreary, rainy day.  I got up early and was out putting up electric netting at 6:30 in the morning, so I would be done by the time everyone else was up and at ‘em.  I went to Grandma’s and chatted with my aunt, cousin, and grandma for the morning.  My cousin and I finally got to sneak away for a trip to town and got to visit a bit.  Her and I share secrets with each other and have a wonderful relationship.  If only we were closer.  We share many of the same ideas on how to raise children, homeschooling, and just life in general.  I will really miss her and her mom (they fly home today).

The kids got to hold our baby chicks, feed bottle lambs at mom and dad’s, and see their donkey and our llama.  Life was good for the little ones.

One of my cousins has two little boys.  They were well mannered and just and sweet as they could be.  I could sit for hours and watch her interact with her children and admire the bond they have and the wonderful job she has done as a mother.  Her efforts were very much noticeable and noted by all.

It was an incredible weekend and so much fun to have all of us together again!

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