Let the Holidays begin

The Signs of the times are around us:

The cousins gathered for breakfast. It's a blessing to have them close and convenient to enjoy family time. I do enjoy the natural,congenial, and engaged conversation and interaction.  I enjoy the energy and activity of the kids. I enjoy the shared beliefs and values. I enjoy the food. The Holiday season is a time for family gatherings. We gathered.

What a beautiful, sunny, and temperate day we had; ideal for changing the look of the front porch. Last weekend we put away the couch and chairs and today we pulled out the outdoor tree, the moose, the led and skis. The Holiday season is a time for decorations. We decorated.

Mackey had things to do this day - people to meet, places to go. No sooner had she departed from home but I received a call. Excitedly she told me of 93.9. Normally, Saturday mornings are made for listening to NPR; but this was big news. The local all day Christmas music channel had begun. The Holiday season is a time to listen to the sounds of Christmas. We listened.

Cousins, Cousins, Everywhere part2

Lindsey & Everett - Jen & Tanner - Laure & Tyler - Julie & June

Mackey - Michael, Marie - Julie, Blair - Jen, Eric - Lindsay, Everett -  Tyler, Laura, Robert

 The Illinois/Wisconsin contingent gathered together for a Saturday night dinner. Yes, we could have been at the BYU Basketball game , played here in town , but we forsook the hoops game for hanging out. I was going to take a picture in the basement but it looked like a bomb had gone off so i passed. The kids were having too much fun to be condemned by my camera. In the meantime it was calm for awhile in the kitchen so we took a couple  of photos. (Josh was with his  recouping girls  so they passed this round and were missed)

Game On

Truth be told I've been to a fair number of the cousins basketball, volleyball, swim meet, soccer game, track meet in my day. Further truth be told I've enjoyed almost all of them. Little did we imagine that Mackey would have cousins frequent her volleyball games here in Naperville. It's nice to bring your built in cheering squad; great to enjoy the game together. And Mackey did not disappoint-both by playing well and winning.

I think I had a break-through game with Ella: read, played and hangout together

Cousins, Cousins, Everywhere

So if you have been faithfully following the blog you will have noted that many are the cousins who have passed through Naperville. This weekend being no different has been full of family. It started Saturday with the air-show at bob's then dinner last night at laura's and scones tonight here. Rindy does conjure up a delightful scone. Anyhow the insight is that home is where the heart is and the heart is in Naperville.

All the little babies make for a squealing squawking riotous good time the most entertaining conversation at Abigail (flake) and Brigham prattled back and forth to each other for a couple of minutes It really is fun to gather together. Evan took most of the pictures so I have to include his self portrait and actually one of me.

Scone Saturday

To make the festivities even better Paul Sarah Brianna & Tristin joined Robert & Laura our naperville neighbors and came over for scones. it was crazy chaotic with plenty of food and kids. Scones and Chocolate chip cookies were the meal - it doesn't get much better.

another super sunday

Though we missed Mackey while she spent the Sunday with Blair & Julie in Wisconsin we were able to snag Paul & Sarah, Tristan and Brianna for scone Sunday along with Robert, Laura and kids. (next time we will get Jane & Daryl as well.)

Sunday was made for worship, scripture study, family & friends. Sunday was made for scones, games, swinging on the porch & reading to younger cousins.

Scones

So Rindy does many a great thing. One of the many is cooking and being a great host; all which blend magnificently together with Scones and cousins. David, Eliza and kids are in town visiting Robert & Laura so we had them all over for scones and a round of Wits & Wagers. A grand evening of fun.