Cousins 2013

Man, I am having a hard time keeping up on this blog lately.  However, a couple of weeks ago I taught a lesson in Sunday School (I am teaching the 12-13 year olds) on family history and record keeping.  We talked about the importance of keeping a record and we each told of something we had done that summer that we wanted to remember.  The one I mentioned was getting together with my cousins.  

I have 23 cousins on my mom's side.  Most of us grew up in Utah together and we would get together once a month to celebrate the birthday's that month.   Now everyone lives all over the United States and even as far away as South Korea.  My mom's family is still good about trying to get together, but it is no longer the once a month event that it used to be.  Now it is twice a year, Brinton Christmas Party and Memorial Day.   Besides that is is usually when someone is in town visiting.  

Well, this summer we lucked out and Uncle Steve's family held a family reunion in Utah so they came to visit along with 6 of their 7 children.  So on a Sunday night we gathered at Uncle Lee's house for a barbque.  

These are great cousins and it was fun to be with them.  We spent time visiting and catching up and then like most times ended up singing around the piano.  Uncle Brett is an amazing pianist and long with some great voices we belted out some great Broadway tunes along with some hymns.  

We are missing about 10 of the cousins, but that is much more that we usually get.   The picture below shows how much we have grown over the last 15 years.

Aren't family's great.  I often feel bad for my kids.  They have four cousins on one side and zero on the other.  Although those numbers will grow by a few (not many) they will never have the 51 cousins (on both sides) that I have.  I hope they love the ones they have as much as I love my cousins.