Lily Bug!

So ... my sister came for a visit with my precious niece - Lily.

She's a trip.

Lily Bug.  Not my sister.  Well ... my sister is too ... but that runs in the sibling genetics.

It's been a few years since all the siblings were in one place at one time.  It was pretty stinkin fun.

Lily makes me giggle. She is a character.  Reminds me sooo much of Hayley at that age.  So mature.  So beyond her years.  So girl.  So independent.  So a diva.  So stubborn.  So adorable.

Was so much fun having all the cousins reunited.  Watching the dynamics fall into place.  Lily and Travis butted heads.  Same age ... same .. it's gonna be my way personalities.  I laughed so hard I was in tears watching them interact.  Lily loved Jackson.  She called Eli "that boy" .. but Jackson was "Jackson" the whole time.

I tried to spoil her.  With gifts ... and toys ... and candy ... and an overflow of kisses (which was the least appreciated).  Except that ... her attention span is so similar to mine.  Oh a toy .. I want to go outside.. fix my hair ... oh candy ... what's that over there?

We be 4. 

Of course ... it meant we had to get together as a family and do something every day.  More dysfunctional family time ... oh HELLZ yeah.  Bring it!  

I will say in the end ... it's really family that matters.  I'm glad we are all as close as we are.  I try to tell my kids all the time how fortunate they are to grow up with their grandparents .. aunts and uncles and cousins all so close.  They don't get it.  But I do. So I will continue to make family time priority ... and someday they will grow to appreciate it.  Besides .. it's easy to make it important when every single time I end up in tears laughing.  

I think the most memorable day was when everyone came to my house.  For a group birthday celebration. It was Jessica's ... Lauren's ... and Jackson's.  

First of all ... the little guys were pretty worn down ...overly tired .. which turned into head strong.  And me as not a parent but the aunt of those little guys ... found it extremely funny.  Just the things they would say ... love kids!!

We tried to get pictures ... with all the cousins in one shot.  Pretty much that wasn't happening.  For sure no one was going to look at the camera all at the same time and smile.  But Lily.  Oh Lily. REFUSED to have any part of it.  Nope.  She wanted to climb all over the deck ... on the walls ... in the yard.  A pic?  Yeah .. aint happening.  

 love Soph photo bombing this one

It was just next to impossible to get everyone in it ... at the same time ... not crying.  

Lily would sit on Jackson's lap no prob ... cause she adored the boy. 

The two oldest ... with the two youngest .. still cracks me up when I see this... 

My sister (bro in law) did get some good shots ...in between laughing hysterically ... and yelling between Josh and Nati over who's drop kicking who's kid.  

And then ... the "real" can't be contained any longer ...

My brother ... just .. my .... brother ....  gosh I adore him ... we clearly come from the same mold.  

Then the birthday celebration ... 

First up .... my awesome boy J.  I sure love this kid.  Truly ... he's such an easy going guy.  Everyone likes him (including Lily).  So glad he's mine.  Somedays I look at him and think - that is pure awesomeness.  But he comes from great stock.  Keep up the good work son ... continue to make me proud.  #14 looks GREAT on you! 

Next up ... Lauren ... my sister-in-law.

Look at her ... she's just so pretty.  And quiet ... and calm.  And she's married to MY BROTHER!  She's a gem.  We are keeping her.  She balances him.  

Speaking of ... 

my brother ...

just ... my ... brother ..

does Thor have a chance?  

well .. I did name him Thor.  

he's a fighter.  

keep fighting the fight little man.  

And my sister Jessica ... 

Pretty cool that we got to celebrate her birthday in this mix.  

Grandmom and Hayley ... sharing a moment ...

Got a few rare with Lily .. she moves.  Like moves.  A lot.  Constant.  

I miss her.  Wish she lived here.  But I will take these visits and moments in time .. whenever I can.  Maybe I can hold out hope that Jessica will move here one day.  Where's my dandelion?