Cousins Weekend!

My sister Claire and her husband Tom and four kids, along with Hailey, spent the weekend at our house. My sister Jen and boyfriend, Mom and Dad all stayed in a hotel close by. Why? We had a small Quinn turns three next week (what?) party -- but the focus was Vince's baptism.

Quinn was so excited Thursday and Friday she could barely (and barely) slept. "Are my cousins and aunties coming today??" She was excited to see her Grandparents and Great Grandparents---but no offense, she gets to see and talk to her cousins and aunties MUCH less frequently. This weekend was a treat for her--and honestly, I think they all enjoyed every minute! My sisters and I reminisced about visiting our Aunts while growing up and wonder what they'll recall from trips to see Auntie Katie (since everyone else is within a day's trip of a visit).

We closely watched weather; as the last drive in for Claire and Tom was our wedding 4 years ago and there was a crazy snow storm. Well, Minnesota did not disappoint--but gave us crazy Saturday weather instead! We got (apparently) 8" of snow on Saturday. My Aunt and Uncle from Wisconsin drove in (and made decent time!) and Teddy and Scott and Beth came out with a bunch of balloons for the birthday girl!! The rest of our other local guests decided it was a lot of work to get anywhere on Saturday---and I don't blame them! Roads were awful, power was (and still is) out in some places.

It was hard at times to keep Q in the house as she's been asking about snow since we put her pool away. "It's going to start snowing soon, Quinn, no more pool." "I want snow, then, when will it be pool time again? When the snow goes away?" Soooo, I'm not sure if she's more excited for pool again or to play in the snow. Her cousins were snow gear-less, so they had a grand time inside...but rest assured---as soon as the last cousin left, Quinn had on her new gloves, boots, and hat -- along with her carol coat and princess poncho (wearing as a skirt--not on shoulders) -- and we were outside playing!!

Here are some of my best shots from the weekend...

Welcome to the Catholic church Vincent Jay!!

Crazy that this is actually a good family photo!!!!



Vince's new best friend...his hands!! Granny helped him a little bit here.


We got the kids to smile...how? "Santa's watching you now!!"





And he's holding onto toys now...and putting them into his mouth!!!! HE'S GETTING TOO BIG!!!


It was my Mom's birthday on Friday so we got a Culvers Concrete cake---yummmmmm-ooooooo :)


And Mom made Quinn a candy cake!!!