G6 Family

My cousins, the L6 from Tennessee are here visiting for our big family reunion (that we aren't going to because of a pre-planned camping trip). We are trying to participate and visit with as much family as we can before we leave.

My cousin, Marisa has two older boys - her oldest boy, Roge - we spent a ton of time with growing up. He's a few years younger than my brother, JJ so he would spend the night and we'd hang with quite a bit. Then, Life happens. Her Husband was getting his MD + PhD and they've been moving around since.

9 years ago they had twins, Mari and Mina and a year later on their birthday I had our Nana Banana but all of them together share a very special birthday, Grandpa T. who is no longer with us physically. I see his kindred spirit in all the girls and am so happy we can share his birthday!

Anyway, thanks to the power of social networking ie Facebook I've been able to RE-connect with my cousin and was so excited to meet her girls + their son, Zoey (I had never met him and he's 15!) and hang with their family. They met a ton of family + friends at the zoo yesterday. I had my sister and brother, Gabby and T with me that day. So, we all trekked to the zoo.

Marisa and her daughters, Mari and Mina via Facebook

The girls, Isa and Nana wanted to be photographers I thought they took more pictures I'm kinda bummed that they didn't. There aren't any pictures of them hanging with our family and how huge our group was. BUT, they were playing and chatting as was I and sometimes it's hard to capture moments while you're living them!

Another fun point of going to the zoo with others - they take you on a different route. We saw things we would normally miss out only because there are key things that my kids have to see and things we bypass. And, being there first thing in the morning guaranteed us to see the animals being awake and fed which makes it more enjoyable to see them moving around.

This was my dad's side of the family and Gabby and T have a different Dad but my family was so excited to them because my cousin, Michelle - Marisa's younger sister - had kids exactly the same time as my Mom. Michelle's oldest is the same age as Gabby and Michelle's middle child, Zachary is the same age as Tyler - they were inseparable. And, Michelle's youngest, Olivia who is 4.5 years old was obsessed with my Diva, Madi. I loved watching the Diva-Off - "no, I'm going to pull the wagon" - "Momma EH!" - then an instant they were posing for my Aunty Inday. Cracked me up. So glad - we all had so much fun!

Another thing we never do...face painting. I have no idea what came over me BUT I let them. I figured it's not a normal trip to the zoo! They loved their paintings...don't tell anyone but Isa's was my favorite.

Thanks, L6 for letting us tag along on your vacation adventure - we had the best time!