Cousin Camp Photo Shoot 2019. It's finally here!

I can't believe I am finally getting these out.

To be honest, I just now got them into my chunky little hands.   

I'm talking about pics from Cousin Camp. These are from the ever anticipated Cousin Camp Photo Shoot. I can't believe how much these kids have grown up. It's also nice to see a little summer sunshine and farm goodness in these pics. 

I'm going to share just one of each kid, plus a few group shots. Actually, it was REAAALLY hard to choose which ones to share. These kids are 'rul purty. But, seriously, you have better things to do than scroll through pictures of my relations. 

I'm also going to post them all willy nilly. My computer connection has been slow this evening and I ran out of patience. It is what it is. 

Are you ready? Here we go.

My beloved son. Age 17 at the time of this picture. He has since cut his long locks. He currently is in his "groomed" phase of his rock band dreams.  This picture almost had the potential to make it appear that he had flora and fauna protruding out of his ears like some sort of Hawaiian hula dancer. Josiah was saved by an inch or so from eternal humiliation.

Actually, I take that back. Josiah is incapable of being self-conscience.  Any attention is alright with him.

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My Little Bro's only son. One of twins. Chris had just turned 22 in this picture. This boy/man can fall asleep anywhere, anytime. He is also a really hard worker. Here he is contemplating all the farm chores needing to be done and wondering why we are subjecting him to such petty concerns.  I am not sure what is coming out of the bottom of that chair. Are those animal feet? Tuffs of toilet paper? I dare not ask.

I had to share the progression of these pictures. The boys are leaning up against the Old Duster. So cool. The Old Duster does not run, by the way. It just makes for a good photo prop and chicken roost.

We are hillbillies, after all.

Ama (aka my mom, their grandma) must have instructed them to smile. They didn't come up with those expressions on their own.

So someone must have said something a bit silly.

And so it began. Cade is still doing his best to be cool.

Cade is my Baby Sister's oldest. At the time of this picture, he was 17. This boy is so much like my Dad. Some of those Wilsons are pretty reserved. I almost got Cade moving his head to music on video this year. It would have been an epic win on my part. I would have lorded it over him and his children's children to the end of time. 

I'm that kind of aunt. 

And now we have the whole gang posing in the flat bottomed boat. Along with the hinder quarters of Blue the Blue-Heeler. I love this picture. They look like some kind of happy family band. Without the instruments. And the whole band part.

 This is Kalynn. She is Little Bros oldest and one of the twins. She is also my parents' oldest grandchildren.  Kalynn has a college education and a job. Kalynn pays for her own stuff. Be like Kalynn. I will take a minute to point out the awesomeness of her big hoop earrings. Why don't I have a pair like that, Kalynn? Kalynn gets her love of gaudy jewelry from her Ama. As do I.

Alexandra is 16. I will have to say that Alex reminds me so much of Kalynn...who reminds me of my Baby Sister. My Baby Sister is not the mother of these girls. But I sure can see her in them. I'm not sure what Alexandra's other hand is doing in this picture. Waving to her subjects. Holding a long pointy object. Whatever it is, I am sure it is awesome. Whatever Alexandra does is awesome. She is just that kind of girl.

Madalyn is 15 in this picture. She is Little Bros youngest. All these girls are gorgeous. Madalyn is also a soldier. And mean with a bow and arrow. She might look all sugar, but she could take you down if you mess with her. We raise our girls right!

 Brynn is our ballerina. She turns 14 in a few months. I'm sure there must some kind of mistake. It was only a few months ago we made the trip to her mom and dad's house when she was born. I remember that I made some hamburger stroganoff in her momma's really clean kitchen. We didn't know then than Brynn would turn out to be so stinkin' sassy. And I mean that in a good way. We all have a measure of sass.

Payge is 10 here. She is my Baby Sister's youngest and the youngest grandchild. This child is a hoot. She also, along with her cousin Madalyn, is the star of our award-winning slime making movie. Don't you just love that face? We do.

A picture of all of Baby Sister's kiddos. Along with Brynn's glasses. All little secret. More than half of these kiddos need glasses. As do I. We can thank Ama and Papa for the gift of life, but not the gift of good sight.

There was another picture of Little Bros kids I could have used where they were all facing the camera. However, I love this one. Aren't they cute? I'm also loving Alexandra's skirt. We found it at Goodwill because that's the way we roll.

Here are the girls in front of the Old Duster.

I'm not sure what's going on here. Some kind of big finish I think.

I hope you enjoyed this year's Cousin Camp Photo Shoot. We are going to began preparations for Cousin Camp 2020. As these kids get older we realize that the time with them is precious. At this point, most of them have sworn to come to Cousin Camp until they are 102.

Which is fine by me.

This and That and a great picture from Cousin Camp (or two)

So.

I've been really, really bad at blogging lately. I've had a super duper time intensive project and then Cousin Camp and stuff.

Hopefully, I'll be able to regain some of my time and do this thing the way it needs to be done again!

I miss you. I really do.

In the meantime, I thought I would share this picture from Cousin Camp.

I mean, really. Aren't these kids the greatest?

Not only are they all gorgeous, but they are truly the funniest and best kids on the planet.

And then there is this one.

He's really just too much. He's still at the farm spending a few extra weeks with the grandparents and a couple of cousins. He hasn't called me yet today, so I think he's not as homesick as he was when we first left him there.

He told me that he thinks he's missing something here. I mean he knows his dad and I are homebodies. A trip to my endocrinologist and a pizza lunch out doesn't really speak of high adventure. I've been doing a little bit of planning for his new school year and trying to make some healthy living plans for myself.

And then there is my little office. I can't even show you what that looks like.

But I can know that there is a desk or two in there somewhere. I have proof from this picture when we first moved in almost two years ago.

Sigh. I'll talk to you soon.

Cousin Camp

Just thought I would drop in and tell you I am still here. Here being COUSIN CAMP! 

I'm tired. 

And I can't give you any more than this. 

You're welcome.

I'll post more when my brain isn't mush and I've had more than just a few hours of sleep.

Cousin Camp Finale (finally)

My dear friends.

I had hoped to have this post a long time ago. But such is life.

This is shaping up to be one of those BUSY weeks. I'm trying to catch up on some writing. I need to be doing some heavy duty planning for Josiah's 10th grade homeschool year. And then there is the NEVER ENDING LAUNDRY.

Why do these people insist on wearing clothing? If they were like me and could hang in a pair of yoga pants and my little brother's Arkansas Razorbacks t-shirt (yes, Ryan...I am the one who stole that thing) all week long life would be much simpler.

Friday will be The Muffin and Josiah's weekly jaunt about town. I usually take time to "waller" in delight about the quiet house. I NEED to be writing. I have this deadline, you see.

Back to planning Josiah's year...next week will be another Homeschool Review Crew Blog Hop. I am having fun getting this one around. Stay tuned for more information.

Anyhoo. On to the next item of business.

Finishing up these Cousin Camp blog posts.

As always, I am going to post some pictures and provide you with pithy commentary.

You're welcome.

One of the traditional Cousin Camp activities is always designing t-shirts. Except the one year, the pirate year, that I made them up ahead of time...But that wasn't this year!

Instead, Cousin #1- Kalynn, drew out a few fish designs and a couple of sharks. The Cousins chose which one they wanted to use, traced the design and painted their t-shirts.

I'm about to lay some Tropical Island Magic on you.

See what I mean? Cade's momma was surprised we actually got him in this get up. See my child (on the right)? I'm surprised we actually got him OUT of this get up. Yup. He's wearing a grass skirt. And he did wear his tropical shirt to church this past Sunday morning. His daddy told him he couldn't wear the grass skirt.

Miss Brynn is always ready to rock her Cousin Camp duds. She even cinched hers in with a hair tie. Remember knotting up the side of your shirt to make it fit better? Those were the days.

Maddy Paige rocking the leggings. She is our sparkle girl in denial. She joined the JROTC and has designed that Camo is our jam. This is the girl who used to live for sparkle and bright colors. She is still sparkly.

Alex showing off her cute shirt. And self. She's a hoot.

The woman herself, Kalynn...She is quite the artist.

The whole group. They are a mess.

See what I mean? I think Kalynn is wearing 2 grass skirts. And yes, her twin brother Chris (age 20) also decided it wear one. It matched his hat.

Speaking of Chris...I can't find his individual pic. I'll keep looking. You'll just have to make do with the full length image of him in his grass skirt.

Can't forget this little cutie. Payge. She is something else. And fully accepting of her sparkle.

Now I am going to share with you some pictures from our Annual Cousin Camp Photo Shoot (courtesy of Ama).  I am only going to share family groups. I have a pile on the dining room table that needs to be addressed. Time is short, people!

These are the Wilson kiddos.

Little Bro and his wife, Stephannie made some pretty kiddos. Seated is Christopher (age 20). From left to right is Alexandra (age 14), Kalynn (age 20) and Madalyn (age 13).

Equally stunning and quirky are the Ruple kids. These people belong to my Baby Sister and her husband Greg. Seated is Payge (age 8). On the left is Brynn (age 12) and then Cade (age 15). The cat in the picture is Garfield...who belongs to Chritopher. He was our "prop."

And, of course, here in my guy. Josiah (age 15). He insisted on this wardrobe choice. I had picked out his Easter clothes to bring. He wanted this outfit. I had actually made that boutonniere for a wedding. He has worn it with this vest ever since. Isn't he a cutie?

Okay. So that's it my friends. I can now move on in peace. And move on to that pile on the dining room table...which, hopefully, doesn't include the cat!

Cousin Camp: Chocolate Covered Crickets and More!

It's Thursday night. 

And if it's Thursday night it must be time for me to post some more Cousin Camp pictures.

You're welcome. 

Before I get started I need to tell you that I did about almost nothing today. I DID get my dishwasher loaded. I DID make supper. I DID work on project. Remember all that writing and laundry I complained about not doing? 

I DID NOT do any of it. Tomorrow Josiah and The Muffin are going to the Indianapolis Speedway for the day so I plan to pretend to some more of something. 

Don't you just appreciate an unproductive weekend? 

Moving on...

 Tonight we are going to focus on the most controversial part of every Cousin Camp. 

The Strange Food Taste Test. 

Yes. We are those people who made this poor baby eat Octopus back in 2014 during our Pirates of Raccoon Road Cousin Camp. 

And last year. Those poor children had to eat things like Dragon's Zits. 

Does this child look abused? I don't think so. This child is PRECIOUS.

 So here how it went down this year. We strive every year to find new and weird things to try. Some might be harmless...for example those candy wafers we placed in bucket #3. 

This year there was chocolate covered crickets (oh yes), preserved duck eggs, dehydrated squid, seaweed sheets (actually a favorite) and pickled herring. 

Never fear, our Cousins are a sturdy lot. 

I separated all of our goodies into tropical themed dishes (complete with a paper umbrella) and numbered each one. The Cousins then drew a number in order of their birth and took a taste of that coordinating goodie.  

 I believe we made the rounds 3 or 4 times. 

Cousin #1 kept a water jug close. 

I think she was fine. NOBODY passed out. 

Cousin #2 (twin of Cousin #1) took it all in stride...and I believe showed us a bit in his teeth. 

Finger Licking Good! 

I do remember that Cousin #3 ate a chocolate-covered cricket during his first round.

Oh yes. You can't phase Cousin #3. This was the best reaction we got from him. He was NOT moved by all the crunchy bits. 

Now this is my bundle of joy...Cousin #4. I don't remember what he had to eat. 

But I am sitting directly to his left. He is giving me quite the look. "AND THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN?" We basically ignore Josiah's food choices. Eating biscuits and gravy any place other than The Dairy Queen and our house is a big adventure for him. 

You can see that Cousin #5 drew the persevered duck egg. 

Hmm. 

WE ARE MONSTERS! Don't feel sorry for this Cousin. She always asks if she can have the leftover octopus. 

Cousin #6 is generally less adventurous. 

Poor baby. Notice that cup? We are always prepared. Oh Jesus, help me. 

Are those tears? There is no crying in the annual Cousin Camp Strange Food Taste Test! 

You will be pleased to know that the girl made it through ALL THREE ROUNDS! She survived. She did not, however, ask for any leftovers. 😂

For such a dainty girl, Cousin #7 is extremely competitive. This girl would make herself choke down a TOAD. A TOAD! (note to self: consider TOADS for next year). 

She was also heard to ask, "Do I have cricket legs between my teeth?" 

Cousin #8...who has grown up from that baby you saw chugging down the octopus leg in the picture at the front of the post...can hang with the best of them. And she looks so cute doing it. If this girl can eat dehydrated squid....Pull up your big girl drawers people. Suck it up! 

Before you call in DFS let me assure you that these children's parents know perfectly well what we put their children through. AND they encourage it. After all, we are the family who has been known to have hot sauce competitions. Smoked duck is a traditional part of our Thanksgiving dinner (the baby up above BEGS for it) and my mom's pantry sometimes resembles an exotic food market. 

So that's it for tonight. That's all she wrote. I'll be back soon with more pics!  Night, my friends!