Wyoming weekend

Do you know how much I've loved visiting cousins in their homes the last two years?  Amy and Jon, James and Em, kind of Jay and Emily, Marg and Matt, and our recent visit with Mary and Jeff's family.  We went up to visit, but also because our oldest nephew, Jacob, who stayed with us for a month when he was 13 was graduating high school.  Time flies too fast!  I am amazed at how Jacob (and his brothers and sisters) have just blossomed into the wonderful people that they are today. 

Jacob wants to be a game creator or a programmer... and he'd be very good at it.  He's always thinking about how to make this or that better in current games and I remember him creating his own Age of Empires game version back when he was 13.  He's fun to talk to and laugh with.  He's brave and has really changed over the last 6 years.  I look forward to seeing him be a missionary as he grows spiritually and learns to teach the gospel.

Emma is the most amazing and thoughtful person.  She is very patient with little kids and knows how to keep their interest... she'd be a very good teacher.  She has amazing talent and patience with her artwork.  She could become a gallery artist if she wanted... she has the patience and the persistence to do it. I love talking to her about all sorts of subjects and don't feel nervous to talk about Jer and I planning our next baby or her going off to camp during summer.  I love her hugs and her marvelous laugh.  I kind of see her as a second mom in their household.

Lizzie is out going, not afraid to try anything.  Watching her and Emma reminds me of what it was to grow up with my sister as my very close and best friend.  Always smiley and up for the sentence game.  She will face life and it's challenges with a smile on her face. I love to walk into a room and get one of her smiles.

Joseph is quietly strong.  He is smart, sweet and very funny.  He cares what is happening to other people and always has a lap open to his baby brother.  I've heard him play the piano... and may I just say... wow... Always up for a good game... or twelve.  I've had fun getting to know him more closely as he's become less shy.  I love his jokes and smiles.  You can tell he truly cares for people.

Robert is loving and energetic.  He wants to do things for others.  He loves to be included with his older brothers.  He volunteered to do everything for Sam and Evelyn from helping them into the fort or helping them on the Wii.  He has a contagious laugh and a helpful spirit. 

Matthew is officially one of Ada's favorite cousins.  Old enough to spoil her and young enough to play with her.  You can tell he will be a good worker.   He is creative, playful and definitely a good digger.  Cutest smile ever, and I loved listening to him read while we played Curses together.  Love his heart and enthusiasm.

Samuel is offically the cutest "3" year old ever.  He's becoming articulate and it was so cute watching Evelyn and him play for hours on end.  He adores his family and will love them forever.  Love his cheeser smile. 

What a fun family and weekend full of games, birthdays, jokes, and digging.  Thanks for having us all!

Mary stuck a candle in the homemade salsa that she made on my birthday... (not supposed to eat sugar, remember?) and then we ate it for lunch... YUMMY.

 

As a side note... we got home in enough time to have our roof really start leaking... we knew that we had a small leak that we'd have to fix when the roof was dry, but it started dripping in our kitchen.  Guess what we're going to be doing once the roof dries out... Go on, guess.