California Cousins

I haven't had a chance to blog because we've been in Utah and the cabin the past bit. But, before we went up to Utah, we took a quick visit to visit our O'Kelley cousins in California. We'd just had two weeks of 110 degree days and another week was in the forecast, so I emailed Shannon and asked if we could get out of dodge and escape to their paradise. They live in the most beautiful, relaxing place that rhymes with Blewport Peach.

The girls have gotten old enough to be good little travelers, so we left Ryan at work melting his brains out and the three of us headed for a middle of the week visit. It was so much fun. We had the best best time. We introduced the girls to the beach and I went to the temple, but really overall it was just so great to see how much fun all the cousins had together. Willa and Claire and June and Scarlett were just in heaven. Actually, poor Scarlett had just had her tonsils out and was a little sad until the last day or two, but she seemed to be having as much fun as her little throat allowed.

The best was all the unplanned matching clothes. Obviously, Shannon and I both shop at Costco a lot and 6pm a little.

They matched dresses every day and nightgowns nearly every night.

June and Scarlett had the same swim suit!

The girls also loved, loved Penny. I don't blame them. I've never met a sweeter, calmer, prettier dog. If they ever decide they are done with her, I'd take her in a heartbeat - and I usually hate all animals as a general rule!

June got to sleep in Scarlett's toddler bed. She was in heaven and told me frequently how much she loved it and how it was her favorite bed. She loved to show me how she could get in and out by herself. It made me think about converting her crib over, but I know it would take just one time when she didn't want to go down for a nap and then we'd be in trouble.

One night I was clearing some dishes in the kitchen and I heard Shannon say to Willa, "Do you like foot massages? Would you like me to rub your feet?" Anyone who knows Shannon would not be surprised if I told them that my jaw nearly dropped open! Shannon has an issue with feet, I'll leave it at that. I called over to her, "What?!! What did I just hear?" Then I went over to get a photo of it. If there was no other proof that Shannon loves her nieces with an unconditional love, this would convince me. Shannon is a great sister-in-law and an amazing aunt. I know that she loves my girls so much and they can feel it too.

It was just such a happy trip. Neither of our children have a lot of cousins their own age. In fact, besides Slate and baby Aero, they are the only cousins they have that are the same age. Cousins are so important and it was such a joy to see the playing so happily together. I'm hoping to make another quick trip in August and have Ryan come too. One last funny anecdote (as told to me by Shannon since I was upstairs bathing June at the time) is that Willa always wanted to shower alone. There were so many fun toys at the house and that included bath toys. She wanted her alone time to play in the shower. One night she and Claire were painting and being so cute together and Claire said, "Willa, please, please can I shower with you tonight?" Willa wouldn't answer and just kept her face down. Poor Claire! The extrovert gets shuts out by the introvert.