San Diego

My sister and I, we’re pretty clever.

Although our families love to see each other, the cramped twelve hour drive, summer camps and lessons and work schedules can cloud our vision. We put off the trip until next week or next month until (like last summer) the days have passed and we don’t go at all. Sniff.

But this year we solved our problem in January by signing Hans and Lizzy up for EFY together. Ah, then we’d have to drive to California to retrieve our darling son.

EFY is a church camp– glorious in many ways, but especially appealing to a California girl like Lizzy for meeting Mormon boys. At the beginning of the week Hans teased her he’d tell all the cute girls he was her cousin and all the boys he was her boyfriend. Can you imagine how much fun these two had? The train ride home from Santa Barbara was especially exciting.

At my house you’ll find cereal and milk for breakfast (on a good day), but my sister creates two fruit cobblers, juice, fruit, chocolate milk…

My sister’s house is always filled with glorious, golden light.

getting ready for church

Beautiful Lizzy. If you know any fifteen year old girls, I suggest you shower them with compliments, because none of them can see themselves for who they truly are.

The mud pit is the envy of all the neighborhood boys, Xander thinks we should pull out our garden and create a pit of our own.

Gabe doesn’t do mud.

Benjamin Bunny loves to ride in Zoe’s pockets.

Will recruits helpers for his nightly dish duty.

Mary and Zoe are hiring.

When John spends too much time in the mud, it’s time to head for the beach.

big brother/little brother

the traditional muscle shot

Baby Bear reunion.

As we filed into my sister’s church on Sunday, the nine cousins filled up an entire pew. The adults slid in behind them and as we watched them whisper and snuggle, share hymnbooks and wrap arms around shoulders, my sister turned to me, “We’ve really blessed.” I could only nod in agreement. The moment felt like heaven.

Our family has suffered tremendous losses, but we have each other. And we won’t let that twelve hour drive keep us apart.