I am thankful for family

Living in Houston for 8 years with no family has left me yearning for some family time.  I don't care what kind of family: a cousin, a brother, even a second cousin.  

There's a saying:  Blood is thicker than water.

It is so true.   No matter how you are related, just the fact that you are related can fill your heart in so many ways.

Now that we homeschool, I was looking forward to the times we could pull the RV for a couple of weeks at a time.

Now is one of those times and I have had a fantastic time.

We loaded the trailer for 12 days and started the 1000 mile drive to the Smoky Mountains.

Right before I left I learned on Facebook that my mom's cousins rented a cabin.   Even though I don't know them well, I wanted to go and spend some time with them and maybe, just maybe, show off our three babies.

I am so glad I went. First of all, the view was worth the drive:

But way more than the view, was these three women:

 Three of my moms many, many cousins.   They held stories of my grandmother that I had never heard.   They said phrases that I have heard my whole life.  They had me rolling and they filled my heart the way only family can do. Even though we were near strangers, we were family and that was enough.


The main reason for our travels was the two Charland families.  My brother and uncle always welcome us with open arms, great food, and some darn good wine.   Turns out my kids love them just as much as me.

Here are the twins getting some love from my niece, Courtney (on the left) and my cousin, Kim, on the right.

Kiera made a fast friend with Isabelle, my brother's sister-in-law's daughter (Did you follow that?)

 Kevin did not get to fully enjoy our Holiday together.  He had to keep working so we could have fun.   Am I lucky or what?  He flew in moments before the turkey hit the table and someone really missed him:

With 23 people in attendance and many of them bringing dishes, there was no shortage of delicious food.  Thankfully I raised non-picky children and they dug right in!

To avoid the turkey coma, we played a little Corn hole.  I thought it was a kids game of bean bags.   Well me and my competitive self LOVED it and we already have plans for Kevin to build a set.

 The girls got together and made an interesting a beautifully creative gingerbread house.

 No matter who you are, rich or poor, 2 or 92, my brother, Mike, will make you laugh and you are sure to have a good time.  In no time at all you will love him.   Garrett quickly discovered this:

 One of my favorite pictures of the entire holiday is this one:

I think I caught a great shot of this beautiful family.   This is my Uncle Mike.  My father's brother.  Being raised in a divorce family is tough on any kid because it really effects your relationships with extended family.  Thankfully as an adult I have been able to build a relationship with these amazing people.   I only had 5 cousins growing up and here are three of them.  They each are unique and it has been fun the past few days hanging out with them. 

I am so thankful for the opportunity to visit with all these different people.  Cousins, second cousins, even third cousins.  Brother, sister in law's and her sister's family.  Aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.   It has been a wonderful week.