Cousin Camp 2009

Every summer my Mom and Dad host a camp for all cousins 12 and under. What a great time for the cousins to get to share together. I know all of the campers were thrilled to get to have ample cousin time.

Lexi ended up at the cabin at cousin camp time because of needing a ride home from Vegas. She was a great help to me and those Aunts who had babies. It was good to have her there.

Mam and Poppy with the group of campers.

Lily and her cousin Katie were our Jr. camp counselors. They did a fabulous job helping and directing activities. We were all grateful to have them!

Here are a few samplings of some of our activities: Writing in journals..

Even Nicolette and cousin Ella were thrilled to be included in activities.

This was a great activity, put on by Aunt Katie. We made terrariums and these turned out terrific. It's amazing what you can make from a couple of 2 liter soda bottles.

The planting of the terrariums

This was just getting ready for the big activity. Each year we have a camp theme. This year was...We Love Nature. We had nature journals, bug hunting, a nature scavenger hunt, "fishing", painting a huge tree with tiny hand prints for leaves, setting up a tent, and many more:)

Every cousin gets a certificate of camp achievement. Nicolette was very excited to be big enough to get her own certificate.

Vivien with Mam at the end of camp.

Ava's turn.

Lilli also received a certificate for being a great camp counselor.

In her spare time, Lexi was trying to convince each camper to come with her for a photo shoot. This is one of Lexi's favorite things to do,taking pictures. Here are just a few pictures of her models.
This is my darling nephew Ryan.

Ryan's cute sister Ella

I do love this picture that Lexi captured of Ava with the yummy sunshine right on her hair.
Thanks to all for making another successful year of Cousin Camp!

Congratulations!

My little brother Jared and his wonderful wife Katie had this beautiful baby girl yesterday! She weighed 7 lbs. 14 oz. and 20 inches long. Congratulations Jared and Katie. We are all so happy for you guys. And, we can ALWAYS use another cousin:)

Spring Fling 2009

A group shot of the girls and their Mammy.  We were missing a few cousins this year.  We still had a great time:)

The wind was blowing, but the sun was shining!  It was beautiful outside.

Everyone enjoying cake for our dessert. 

The girls always have the best manners for Spring Fling.  We had a lesson from Mammy on modesty and the annual egg hunt.  I was in charge of hiding the eggs this year.  I was having a bit of a patience problem because, after the girls had looked for eggs for 5 minutes, then claimed they couldn't find the rest of the eggs,  I ended up having to point out eggs to them.  I was thinking, "now, why did i just hide all of these eggs?  So I could run around and show everyone where the eggs are?" It was a bit frustrating.  I am probably just a very terrible egg hider.  So, I volunteer NOT to be in charge of the egg hunt next year:)

Thanks to my mom for giving the girls a great time and a wonderful tradition!

Long Ago...

My girls used to be this little!  

Us girls headed to my mom's for the annual "Spring Fling".  We had LOTS of time for discussion while driving.   Lexi and Lilli and I were trying to decide how many years my mom has done the spring fling for the girl cousins.  The Spring Fling is a fun and festive party.  Filled with Easter egg hunts, candy, prizes, and a little bit of a lesson. Lexi thought...this was the second maybe third year.  Well, my mom has great pictures I found on her computer tonight.  This photo is from April 2004!  The Spring Fling has been going on for some time now!

The girls decorating their baskets.  I hope to post pictures of this years spring fling soon...it will be fun to see the difference in what 5 years makes!

This was Easter of that same year.  A picture with the cousins.  My girls ALL in matching dresses!  oh, those were the days:)

Cabin, Cousins, and a New year

We had a cabin New Year's Eve party again. I think this is becoming a great family tradition. we did fondue and flank steak salad. A perfect party menu:)

Madi and Lexi in a good party mood:)

Later in the evening. Mammy trying hard to stay awake;)

Katie and Lilli enjoying their party food:)

Cute Ben!

Madi and Lexi actually posing for the camera...

We had plenty of cider for our celebration. LaRae and I both found it on sale and so we ended up with probably 20 bottles of it!

Poppy with his traditional sparkling cider toast;)

LaRae and her camera, Mammy trying to stay awake, and the girls watching something...

Here we are with the count down. Lilli and Katie counting down and watching the ball drop.

Some real excitment... puzzle players!

Lexi and Madi, feeling less agreeable on the posing now that it's later in the night.
Thanks for a great New Year's Eve!

New Year's Day!

Poppy and Daddy "fixing" the trax...I think...

Madi and Lexi enjoying a break from sledding, in the snow? I thought it a bit strange that Lexi thought a rest in the snow was relaxing?

Nicolette was feeling really left out that the kids were in the snow and she was not. So, we got out the tiny snow stuff and she was ready to go:)

Look at all the snow at the cabin! The girls had such a great time playing.

Our Dad is cool. Nicolette was having great fun making a "snow house with Daddy".

Doug busy at work and refusing to wear a coat!

Nicolette helping Daddy. Such a fun way to spend New Year's. Thanks Mom and Dad!

December 08`...busy and great:)

Nicolette 

I have managed to get most of our December in one post!  It took a bit of time but, I finally have it done:)

Making Soupt

 I made the traditional Zobrist Soupt this Christmas season.  It actually turned out this year!  I am still working on getting the braid done correctly.

Christmas Ballet Performance "The Night Before Christmas"

Lilli, Vivi, and Ava after the performance.  The girls all did a great job on their dances.  It was a very fun performance by all:)

Ava's dance

Vivien recreating her dance:)

Lilli was a "sugar punk fairy" this year.  She had a great time.

Vivien's dance

Ava perfecting her pose for the camera:)

Lilli's School Performance

The entire 4th grade at the school put on a wonderful Christmas show.  Lilli did a great job:)

Christmas dinner with friends:)

Patsy's AMAZING dessert:)

We had a fun and festive Christmas dinner us bloggers:) it was a wonderful evening full of fun and great food.  It was tricky finding a night that worked for everyone, but we made it work and it was well worth the efforts.

Yummy Christmas treats delivered:)

Kristy delivered these wonderful Christmas treats for us after our dinner.  The chocolate did not last long in this house full of girls.  I don't think Dad even got one taste...oops!

Christmas Piano Recital

The girls all did a great job on their recital this year.  This was Ava's first piano recital, and she did fantastic!  Lexi and Lilli had also practiced well and there songs were beautiful:)

Ava played Jingle Bells

Lilli played The Nutcracker Overture 

Lexi played Silent Night

Christmas Sunday

Nicolette

The entire group of us:)

Lilli

Vivien

Ava

Nicolette and Lexi

Family Christmas Party

The food at the family party was so delicious plus beautiful!

Daddy and Nicolette

The group
Nicolette and Finn having good times:)

Sarah played a beautiful song on her violin for all of us.  Kerri also sang a beautiful song for us, and I didn't seem to get a photo of that.  Lilli also read everyone The Night Before Christmas.

Grandpa and Grandma enjoying Sarah's song.

 The cousins getting ready for a white elephant gift exchange.

Christmas card pictures, and freezing at the park:)

Christmas Eve

dinner with Grandma and Grandpa

Nicolette, feeling so excited to open her Christmas Eve present.

All the girls ready to open

Everyone in new Christmas jammies...and ready for bedtime:)