Well, somehow two whole months have almost slipped by. Those three adorable boys of mine are keeping me on my toes and although they sure can wear me out, there is nothing I love more than chasing them around. There are so many things I could update you on but thinking about where to start is too much for my brain to handle right now. Ha! So, lets just start with this past weekend. Sunday was our annual trip out to the Flint Hills with Joel’s family. Per usual, it did not disappoint.
Our first stop every year is at this sycamore tree for the cousin photo. Joel and his siblings took family photos here too! I always say this, but I need to get my hands on one of those photos to show you.
Every year we all look forward to Bammy’s (my mother-in-law’s) fried chicken. I mean, who makes fried chicken for a picnic lunch? I scored big when I married into this family!
The only bad part about having so much good food is you barely have time to inhale it before the kids are begging to head out into the water.
The rest of the day is spent playing in the creek with occasional snack breaks of course.
This is my oldest nephew, Henry. He is such a great kid and cracks me up all the time. By next year he will probably be taller than his sweet mama. I don’t know how that happened so fast.
And these are the littlest three cousins. I’m sure I will blink and they will be outgrowing their mamas too.
But for now, they dig away and require constant supervision. You’d better believe I am going to soak it up as long as I can!
Jake was a big fan of the creek.
Throwing rocks was his favorite.
Everywhere I turned, the kids were on some kind of adventure…
catching crawdads…
sneaking off to drink way to many cans of pop…
and swimming.
This kid. He is getting so funny. He has the best facial expressions and does not hide how he feels. I forgot how much I like this almost 2-year old stage.
Last years excitement was a snake in the water, this year Uncle Ben caught a big fish with the kids’ net. They were all very impressed with his skills.
Chatting with Bammy.
Here are all the Mac cousins lined up…we were just missing sweet baby Lenore who is in China. This whole growing up with your cousins as your best friends thing is so foreign to me, but it is so wonderful. What a precious gift these kids have in each other. It was such a good day together.
Bye-Bye (said in his loudest voice)! See you next year, Flint Hills.
Marsha Kern - My cousins were my best friends growing up-my Mom came from a family of 9 and we all lived pretty close so it was wonderful, so happy for your kids!
Melinda - I can’t believe how big Jake is! I remember seeing posts of one of your older boys wearing the cycle shirt when they were his age. It’s amazing how fast time goes!
Ashley - Oh this makes me so jealous! I love this! So “free range!” lol. I love that the boys all are just able to go off without parents hovering, letting them play, and get wet and get dirty! How lucky they all are to grow up together. I never had that, but am blessed that my boys get to grow up with my sister’s boys. Between us we have 6 boys, ages 9, 7, 6.5, 6, 3, and 3 🙂 It’s crazy, but wonderful!
Michelle L - I had to Google ‘crawdad’. It’s something I call a crayfish. I love the translations between American and Australian English. Beautiful pictures Jess. Thank you for sharing.
Meggie - Love reading updates about your family! Such a fun tradition!!
Toni :0) - What a beautiful family!! Such special memories you are making. How wonderful.
Mary Ann - I look forward to your Flint Hills adventure every year. Those yearly memories mean so much to kids…and parents. It’s a beautiful thing. Your boys are so precious.
Gin - Family is the best. Wonderful pictures. I admire “Bammy” for her big family. I know she enjoys every moment.
Pam - I grew up as one of 13 1st cousins. 12 of us lived within a 1/2 mile of each other on and around my grandparents farm. It was the most glorious childhood! I have grieved that my children (19 & 13) have no clue what it was like. Town kids 🙁 It makes my heart happy to stop in and visit your blog and know that there are still families like yours (and mine) around. Thank you for sharing!
Jess Reply:
May 12th, 2016 at 1:49 pm
Oh, how great! Thanks for sharing that with me, Pam. I am so thankful that my kids get to grow up around family. It is such a gift!
Jess - Oh, how great! Thanks for sharing that with me, Pam. I am so thankful that my kids get to grow up around family. It is such a gift!