Today we were finally able to get together with Uncle Jim, Aunt Brenda, Kristy and Madi. We’ve been trying to coordinate schedules since early January but this morning was the first time we were all available. The last time we got together I was only 10 weeks pregnant with Ava so this is the first time everyone is meeting.
We headed south to Des Moines to Jim and Brenda’s house and Kristy and Madi traveled from Olympia to meet us for lunch. It took Ava a little while to warm up to the new environment, but as soon as she did she was wondering all over the house and getting into everything. Luckily Jim and Brenda’s house is very kid friendly and there are lots of things to play with. Ava spent most of the day following big cousin Madi (almost 7) around eating and playing. It was so fun to sit back and watch the two interact. Madi is very motherly and was really enjoying showing Ava all of her dolls and toys and trying to teach her new things like how to play nicely and pick up after herself. I was of course enjoying the “help” from Madi since Ava has yet to master the art of picking up her toys at home. The adults all got lots of laughs out of the two.
A big thank you to Brenda who went all out and had a big spread of food for us all and a delicious chocolate cake for Jim’s birthday. They even added Ava’s name to the cake and had presents for her to celebrate her past birthday. It’s so nice to be able to get together with family and we are so thankful to be close to everyone again. I hope to continue to get the cousins together more frequently.