Cousins

Watching cousins interact has always been a fun thing for me. (my oldest nephew turned 16 last month . . . . whoa!) I'm here to say its a million times sweeter when they are interacting with your own child.

The Allsop grandchildren: It was incredibly cute watching the older boys play (the girls basically just stared at one another) with Rylee, or get mad at her saying "NO Rylee!" when she would empty the dump truck of the cars he clearly wanted to be full . . . . over and over again while I watched and laughed (sorry dude). Or scare her because it would make her smile, endless tickles, and basically putting up with her stealing toys and turning around so they'd be "out of reach".

It was also incredibly sweet to hear of cousins getting excited to pick out toys for her, or tell others she is her sister that lives in Texas, lend her clothes and basically ask what 'tricks' she learned and how she's doing.

We love living here, but being so far from family is difficult - some days are harder than others.