Cousins!

My sister Emily and her 3 kids came to stay with us for a few days while Adriel was out of town. We loved having them here. Cambel, Ada, and Oliver were enamored with baby Santiago (the feeling was not always mutual). We got a ton of snow after they arrived, so school was cancelled and the cousins all got to play together (which often was great, and sometimes ended in tears). Thankfully Emily had 4 wheel drive so we could brave the roads a little when we were getting stir crazy. It was terribly cold, but we did bundle the kids up and send them out in the snow. We were laughing too hard to get a picture of it, but we will always remember Noe being so overbundled that she literally got stuck on her stomach in the snow. Oliver was a pathetic help, as was Eli and the whole scene was hysterical (we did eventually help her, and she wasn't in terrible distress so it was okay that we were laughing). 

 I love that even though we are 5 hours away from each other, our kids got to make memories with each other, and that  I had several days with my sister. I love being with both of my sistsers and it was sad to say goodbye to Emily when she left. 

I did manage to (finally) take some pictures of moments with my family, and here they are in no particular order. 

 It was also sad to say goodbye to this sweet boy, who might be the cutest baby on the face of the earth. 

 Oliver was fascinated with caring for Santi, espeically at bathtime. (side note: he wears that sweater vest a lot because he thinks it is a basketball jersey). 

 Before we knew Emily was coming, we planned a day to meet Anne and Nate and their kids in Indiana. Some very kind and generous friends of theirs babysat all of our kids for us so that we could go out to eat together. These people may have been angels. 

On the way home we tried to help Oliver sleep more comfortably with a neck pillow. It did not work at all, as you can see. 

 That look of concern on Sanitago's face was not unwarranted. Oliver should not yet be entrusted with small children. But it was cute to watch him try to help. 

 Oliver and Noelia headed out to play. Two minutes after this was taken she was like a beached whale, only in the snow. 

 Group bathing will not always be appropriate, but for now it is SO FUN!

 Cambel braved the cold cold temps and built a bit of a snow fort in all the snow. 

 Cambel and Noelia. Cambel was really good with the younger kids (most of the time)

 And a group picture where everyone  looking (well, maybe not Santi) and smiling. A miracle!