My cousins Marlo, Reagran, Karen, Kathy, Kristi, JennyWe spend Thanksgiving every year with my side of the family. We usually just meet at one of our church buildings. That is really the only option since nobodys house would actually fit everyone and all the food that arrives. But this year we are going to Utah for Thanksgiving. Chris' brother, Cameron, is getting married that weekend and so we are driving out to be there for the event which means Thanksgiving with his family. I'm okay with this. I love Chris' family. After being married for 15 years they become your family too. But what I don't love is not being able to see my cousins. So I decided about a month ago that I would have a pre-holiday dinner at my house and invite whoever wanted to come. Yesterday was the day and we had 20 people in our home.
Our home is not huge.
Not by a long shot.
But it was fun.
I didn't feel like doing the whole Turkey meal thing because everyone will be having that in a couple weeks. So I made chili, cornbread and a veggie tray. And then others brought chicken noodle soup, drinks, toppings for the chili, a smoked turkey and pie. Oh goodness, there was pie, and a cobbler too.
Tons of pie.
Oodles of pie.
Gobs of pie.
We like pie.
More cousins playing on the Wii, Levi, Chris, Corey, Emma (she's NOT my cousin), Ronlin and David.
Kaylee, Annie, Madee and HeidiIt was so fun to see all my cousins that were able to make it. When I went to Phoenix in October I went to an art gallery and the exhibit was titled "cousins" I connected emotionally with the pictures. They weren't pictures of my cousins but I could tell that the photographer/artist loved their cousins as much as I loved mine. My mom was from a family of six kids and there were always a lot of cousins for me to play with while growing up. We have all remained close. Several years ago when my grandpa passed away he left some money that was to be used for a family reunion. We all had so much fun and as I watched my girls play with my cousins' children I realized that my children were missing out on a huge part of life that I had loved so much. So that is when we started attending my auntie Pam and Uncle Clair's family reunions. It has been a blessing to our family. It's fun to have my children call my cousins "Aunt Kathy" or "Uncle Kevin" They aren't really their aunts and uncles, they have plenty of those to be sure. But to me it just seems appropriate. I mean who wants to be called "first cousin twice removed"? And all of my cousins children are just "cousins" so instead of having 3 cousins they have about 50. Who wouldn't want that?
So today, whether you are close with your cousins or not, take a moment to send them an email, write a letter, or pick up the phone. I think you will be glad you did.
21 comments:
My 2nd cousins were my age. The first cousins were my sister's age, so there was a bit of distance in our family. I can see, though, in this generation, we get together for our family reunion, and my kids are drawn to their cousins like magnetic attraction. It's so fun to see. So, although my generation missed out on all that, in my family, I hope my children will continue to feel as you do about yours. How wonderful! What a great example you are, Darilyn!
What an awesome family picture!!
Wow, that does look like fun. That's cool that your get together is large for thanksgiving that you have to do it at the church. How nice!
I think you forgot to mention that although you had such a wonderful time, it would have been better with your sister there too. :)
Pie,Pie, Pie. I call for the last piece of pie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That was a fun night!
that is one thing i love about the hawaiian culture is we call everyone auntie and uncle, even if that is not the actual relation that they are to you. it is WAY better than first cousin once removed or second cousin. all that just gets too confusing anyway!
glad you could still have your "holiday celebration" with your side of the family. have fun in utah!
I love cousins also. Fun to see Marlo. Tell her I say hi.
I missed out on cousins growing up. We either lived too far away or had different lifestyles so we weren't close. My sister and I try to get our kids together as often as possible and they play for hours. I can see the close bond already forming.
Glad you were able to connect with your family! Love the group picture.
I loved reading about your day with cousins! I always love getting together with mine...I'll have to follow your advice and give some of them a call today!
What great pictures! I'm glad you guys had so much fun! I'm looking forward to seeing you guys too. Connor has started asking me "see cousins? See andee? (that's you by the way, he tends to compress things so that is Auntie D)". Poor Chris though..he never asks about him..must be because you guys are more fun ;)
That is a lot of cousins!! How great that you were still able to get together with them! Sounds like you had a fun time!
What a great idea to do a pre-holiday meal get together. How fun. So jealous. No family around here for me. :(
That sounds like some crazy/busy fun! It's great to have so many people getting together and talking and laughing and playing. Love the big group picture.
Darilyn...I LOVE this!!! What a great idea! I love my cousins too (I'm still very close with them)! We are spending Thanksgiving with Matt's family this year and it's so fun to see how much my kids have so much fun with their cousins on Matt's side (they love their cousins on my side too, but they don't get to see them often). There is just nothing like family----LOVE your group picture! :-)
WOW! It's so great that you are all so close together. I would love doing something like that, I'm happy it was able to still happen for ya!
You are so fun Darilyn! I love the idea of a Thanksgiving before Thanksgiving. I grew up super close to my cousins as well, but most of us have not stayed that close. How awesome that you guys have kept that bond going. My kids LOVE their cousins. I hope that they can keep lasting friendships.
I love my cousins too. We only got together with them at holidays really though and during the summer swimming at my Grandma's. Now I think my kids have the same relationship with their cousins that you have with yours. They really are their best friends.
Gosh, I don't even know how to get a hold of most of my cousins. Your family rocks!
There is something special about a lot of cousins!!!!!
Whoo hoo!!! I'm your COUSIN...and I'm in that photo somewhere. Happy Turkey Day...even if you don't have turkey...hahahahah. Sierra and Tristan say hello. Big Hugs to everyone!!
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