A visit from cousins

Recently my cousin and two of her children (also my cousins of course) came to visit and stay the night with my mom.  My mom's house is on the way to the campus where the third child was graduating with her master's degree, so it was a convenient, fun stopover.

Little N is an almost-2 1/2 year old, and he's a sweetie pie.  He enjoyed playing with J's toys and reading J's books.  (Shh....don't tell J---you know how those 3 year olds don't like to share!) 

N is not very verbal yet, but that doesn't keep him from laughing and giggling.  We had a great time playing "Where's N?" while he hid under his blanket. 

 Here he is playing with his great-aunt, (my mom). 

And here's sweet M, who is 7 and smart as can be.  Her sister finished college, both her B.A. and M.A., with a 4.0, and I can see this one following right behind her.

 There was lots of running, playing, and giggling.  We all went out to dinner and then stopped by the cemetery where family is buried.  M got to see where her great-grandparents are buried, and she was interested in learning that both sides of my family are buried there too.

Oh, M is also a cheerleader, so we had to take some pictures of her doing some stunts.  My birthday was coming up the next day so both M and N drew me a picture, which I proudly hung on my fridge.  :) 

Eventually it was bedtime for the little one, and Great-Aunt enjoyed having a little one to rock to sleep again. 

Here is myself and my cousin L.  We grew up together, even though she lived a couple hours away.  Our mothers are sisters, and I know we will always be close, even if we don't get together that often. She was maid of honor at my wedding, and I was matron of honor at hers.  We have a nearly 40-year shared history, and that's something you don't forget.