My kids say the most favoritest part of each trip East is always the day with the cousins…..for us, living 2,000 miles from them and only getting to see them about once a year – I had to brag on them….because we appreciate the memories made oh-so-much!!
I confess there are some days when my literal heart aches and I get weepy longing just be there with all of them….talking, laughing, eating, telling stories and sharing life. Jaime and Steve and baby Noah weren’t able to be home this time….. 
Billie & my Aunt Jean – It was Billie’s house that I used to spend hours (literally) as a young girl each day (when the abuse in my home was almost unbearable) trying to figure out how I could go live at Billie & OK’s farm…she and her husband were dairy farmers….(now retired)..and their home was my favorite place ever when I was growing up……
Billie and Ok (pronounced Oak)
Jennifer (their daughter)
Whether playing football….
Goofing off in the barn
Eating together
Jumping on the trampoline….
Playing in the fort….
Hanging out in the treehouse…..
Feeding the squealing pigs…
Climbing on the jungle gym…
Watching football…..
Or being goofy…….
(That’s Bob being the clown)
They are our family FOREVER ~~~ we love them immensely and we always miss them….
Linny,
Such beautiful memories. The trip looks amazing and everyone looks so very happy. God truly blesses us with our families…they are so special. It's a beautiful time to get spend time with family. Many blessings to your beautiful family.
Love it! That tree house picture needs a frame around it, it's beautiful!
What a beautiful family and such special memories. Hugs..
We love going to my cousin's home – usually every other year. They are a family that we share soooo much with spiritually. The kids have a blast, and we just feel like we would just love to live down the street from them!!! Looks like great memories.
Linn! This is awesome! I love these pictures.
Nothing sweeter than being with the cousins! So glad you had fun and thank you for sharing them with us! 🙂
So glad you are safe and sound at home. However I feel a little sad for all of you that the New York part of your trip is over. What a blessing your ENTIRE family is to the bloggy world.
🙂
Oh, yes ! I mentioned apples and if you had stopped by I would have sent you off with as many pies as you could carry. Next time come East for sure!!!!!
It looks like so much fun! I love the pics!!
Blessings,
Jean
Looks like a blast! Yes, cousins are the GREATEST! And I love the last picture of Graham holding the baby. Precious!
Along side my mom's family tree grew a family bush. That bush rescued my mother and then loved her children. I am so thankful for family bushes. Glad you had a bush too.
Sweet, sweet memories! FYI, I'm on the hunt for a little RV for your Memorial Box. Seriously. So, bloggy family, I'm claiming that! I get to make that purchase!!!
So glad there was joy in this trip!
Great post! Wish our family had cousins to play with.
But, not one word about getting home. Oh dear! I'm thinking you are holed up some where, in a FREEZING cold RV, still figuring out how to get the last 3 hours.
Glad that y'all could LAUGH your way through the trip, and that you are MAKING MEMORIES that will always be dear to your hearts.
We are 1/2 way through our Road Trip … and will finally be heading West tomorrow … with another 2 weeks and 6 states to go.
blessings,
Laurel
Linny,
I just read a book to my class this morning for our math lesson entitled "And the Relatives Came" by Cynthia Rylant. I had to think of your post and the fact that you could have written the story as well. Thanks for reminding us what family is all about!
Oh Linny~ I thoroughly enjoyed this post. Some of my greatest childhood memories are times spent on my aunt and uncles farm in S.Dakota with my cousins. Now that I am grown, I treasure those memories even more.
I am so glad that this was a place of refuge for you during those abusive times of your childhood. It breaks my heart to think of what you must've gone through. It's amazing the woman you have grown up to be, despite the long list of hardships you endured during your growing years. Your life is a living testimony to so many hurting people who have suffered as you did. I cannot imagine life without my Jesus, and pretty sure I wouldn't still be here today if it weren't for Him. God is GOOD!
love and hugs,
~Tanya
Linn, We had an awesome time as well and definitely get weepy when thinking that it won't be until next year that we can get together again. I loved your idea of coming here for a few days at least so that we could add to the laughs, swim in Bob's pool, eat goodies, maybe visit the Falls, and more. Thank you for making us a part of your trip – we would have seriously missed you had you not been able to spend some time with us… and we absolutely LOVED, LOVED, LOVED getting to know Elijah and Elizabeth as well as play with Graham, Emma, Liberty and Isaiah!