Nothing Like Cousins!

My kids are so lucky that they have so many little friends to play with, and even luckier that they are their cousins. I am sad that my little Mason probably won't ever remember his little pal Jack, but we will keep pictures around to remind him of how much fun they had together.

Like when they ate chalk in Honey and Poppy's backyard.

They were always sharing whatever they had . . . chalk, cheetos, mason's binki that Jack loved to grab and see what Mason would do. It was so fun to see them together.

My sister Heather lives in Ohio, so Samantha and Mason don't get to see her kids Martha and brand new baby Alice very much. But Samantha asks for Martha every so often.
Samantha's two cousins Stillman and Bridger are adorable. They are such good sports, when they come play with Samantha, she usually wants to do something girly, and they play along.
(I hope their parents don't kill me for putting this picture of their matcho sons in dresses)
I have met some great girls since marrying into the Rich/Patterson family. And it definately helps that we have babies around the same time. It is so fun to get together with them and let Samantha play with some more of her "cousins" (sort of).

And then there is Corbin. Samantha and Corbin are so cute together. Whenever they see eachother they run and give eachother a big hug. (one of these times I'll have to get it on camera) They fight, but like most great friends, quickly make up and play some more!!!
I am just so greatful for such great families on both my side and ben's side. I love that my kids have cousins to grow up with. I'm excited for the friendships that they will form, and the fun experiences that they will have. Hopefully all of them together!!!
Girls, thanks for being such great mom's and great examples to me and my kids!!!

Pumpkin Patch

We went to a pumpkin patch a week ago with Joanne, Marianne, Tiffany and Corbin. The kids had lots of fun. What's a pumpkin patch without an oversized pumkin. It worked out perfect for a great picture.

There were some animals. Goats, rabbits, chickens, I even think there were fish. Samantha and Mason weren't too keen on feeding the goat. So mom showed them that it wasn't so bad.

It was a fun day out with cousins. Samantha always loves to see Corbin, and I love to see Tif and Marianne, so it was great. Thanks Joanne for planning and taking us all there.

Samantha at 3

Samantha is really a spit fire. She is girl through and through. She loves me to do her hair like Cinderella or Gisell (from Enchanted). So we curl it and pin it up, and oh she loves it. She like Mason can fall asleep in the car, and stay alseep for a while. It doesn't look that comfortable, but she does it. Sam is pretty tough. She recently had a fall down some cement stairs and scraped up her face and hand. It was dramatic at the time, but afterwards, she'd tell you all about it. And she kept telling me that when she fell, her dad came and picked her up in his arms. I think her dad is her hero!!! Sam and Mason have alot of fun together (for the most part). They figured out this fun game where mason lays on a blanket and holds on for dear life and sam pulls him across the wood floor. They did this over and over and loved it. We had a great breakthrough. I found this fun candy machine and sam wanted some all the time, so I told her if she went potty she could have a quarter. And it worked, so now when she goes potty she says funny things like "that was a long one mom," when she pees and "goodbye mr. poop, see you tomorrow!" Kids really do say the funniest things. But it is so fun to have Sam. I can just tell that we are going to be good buddies. I love you so much sam, you are my little bugs!

Mason at 1 1/2

Mason is such a fun kid. He is quite adventurous and not so much like his sister. He does so many funny things like when I get him dressed in the morning, he hates to get his clothes changed but when I say "let's put on your shoes and socks" he comes and sits right down. He loves wearing shoes. It is so fun to take his picture 'cause you can catch him doing so many funny things. I was vacuuming one day and found him on top of the table sitting in the middle eating some chereeos, he just looked at me and smiled. He loves to try and climb onto or into everything. He loves our dog Molly so much. He goes and just snuggles right up to her. When he is sad, he runs right to her bed and lays down, and just waits for Molly to come and lay by him. He is so good, especially when he sleeps. Ben says that he sleeps like his mom, the verdict is still out, but he sure looks cute. I love my little boy so much. It is fun having a girl, but oh those little boys just melt your heart.
Your mom and dad sure do love you dude!!!

Bobcat Jack

Bobcat

I have wanted to post a blog about my favorite animal for quite a while. The bobcat and no I don't really like the animal but miss the throaty happy growl of my my nephew who I lovingly called Bobcat. Recently Jack 16 months young has been borrowed by his heavenly father. Jack who was most certainly an animal in this life has left tracks that we can only hope to follow. My heart breaks for my brother Coby and his wife Tiffany but our family takes comfort in knowing that Jack has permanent residence in our hearts and that his life although short was one of joy and happiness. He no doubt has been called back to serve a greater purpose and to watch over his mom dad and brother in this mortal life as an angel who had fulfilled his earthly mission. We love you Jack and know we will see you soon. On another note I would like to thank Wayne Burton Tiffany's dad for his poem entitled "Faith" I have read it many times in the last weeks and it has helped me understand the understandable. Thanks, and Jack we will always treasure your bobcat tracks...

Faith

It was black as coal on a moonless night, with no light in the sky at all. I led my horse past dangerous cliffs, and hoped that we didn't fall. We stumbled north, about 20 feet, in the direction I thought was right. Then my horse just stopped & refused to go, or follow me into the night. You stupid horse, you stubborn beast you better follow me? I know the way; I think I'm sure, if only I could see. But the horse just stood, and held his ground like a rock of solid stone. I was tired and cold, so I mounted up, and told him to take me home. And I was scared at first, ‘cuz' I couldn't see, and blind as a bat at night. Then he slowly turned and headed south like he could see without a light. So I dropped the reins and let him go, ‘cuz we were out on a dangerous limb. And though I was blind, my horse could see, and I put my faith in him. Time has past and I never returned to that spot on the mountainside, Where all alone, in the black of night I stumbled and almost died. Then one clear day when the sun was out, and I could see my way, I think I found where I was that night, and it scares me still today. Because every direction we could have gone, was a cliff with a jagged edge. And my horse could see, what I could not, as we walked toward the ledge. And I cursed that horse that saved my life, ‘cuz he wouldn't follow me When he saw the trail I was about to take, and dangers I couldn't see. But I still recall, the way I felt, and it's locked inside my brain. When many times on the trails of life, I've been lost and felt the same. So I dropped the reins and let it go, when I'm out on a dangerous limb. And though I am blind, Someone can see, and I'll put my faith in Him. Wayne W. Burton