So I know that I haven’t been around much, but I am honestly going to try much harder now that I am moved back home. (Yes, sadly, the apartment is no more!) But that means I have internet, and I have absolutely no problem with that.

Today was my cousin Josh’s 12th birthday. My mom’s side of the family had a huge cookout at my Aunt Kim’s house in Bellingham, Mass. I do not get to see this side of family much, so it is always a great time spent with them.

It is funny to see how much we all have change over the years. How many of us are there? Sean, Kerri, Julia, David…Me, Tanya, chad….Jeremy, Josh…Tasha, Mickayla…and now baby Aiden… That is twelve cousins all together…and I can’t believe that it used to really just be Sean, Tasha, Me, Kerri, and Jeremy. I remember all of the times where we would get together and everything was so silly. We would all chase my cousin Sean around threatening to kiss him and give him cooties…and he would constantly torment us. I remember one of the biggest things would be when we were playing house and he would be the Dad and eat all of our imaginary food. To think that those were our biggest worries was whether we would get cooties, or if all of our imaginary food was gone.

Now it is so different. Sean is rarely there, Tasha is pregnant, and Kerri is consumed in her own little world figuring out who she is while she is growing up. It seems like it is just Jeremy and I now, sitting and remembering all of the times we had when we were younger. But I guess I would not have it any other way. If I had to become closer to one of my cousins than the rest, I am glad it was him. He is sincere, loyal, and just a big ol’ teddy bear. He is my favorite cousin by far. He is younger than me, but gosh he is mature enough to be a Senior in high school. I am glad that over the years we have become closer. Because I know that even though I don’t see him much, and he is an hour away–if I needed to rely on someone he would be someone I could. And he always makes me look forward to going to family events.

But everyone just seemed so happy today. I felt closer to my family today than I think I have felt in a long time, and that makes me happy. I also like knowing that Jaryd fits in with my family, and that he talks to them as if they were his very own family.

And the weather today was gorgeous! The sun was bright in the sky, and was warm and welcoming. All I have to say is “Hello, Summer!” It was the perfect day for a cookout; it was a perfect day in general.

But that is all I have for you today folks. I have been taking pictures more often, and have internet now, so you should expect more from me in the near future!! Until then, Happy Blogging!

-Amanda